Extension Options

[jr1]

Hi,

I am currently employed as a web developer in Toronto on the International Experience Canada visa, which expires in September. I have re-applied for the IEC visa (I'm a UK citizen), but fear I may be too late. My question is, if I am, what would be my best option to extend my stay here and what are the timescales involved? I'd also like to know this information for staying for a third year regardless of whether my IEC visa application is successful.

Many thanks

 

[Leon]

If you can't get another IEC visa, your employer needs to apply for an LMO. This can take a couple of months. In order to get it, they have to show that they have advertised your job, found no Canadian or PR who wanted it, yet they are offering market wage. If they get the LMO, you can drive to the border, flagpole and get your new work permit instantly or you can apply online in which case it takes 13 days. This type of work permit could be valid for 1-3 years but it is tied to one employer.

You can find some info on applying for an LMO here: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/temp_assessment.shtml

 

[jr1]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I have read through the LMO information, and it appears that my company would have to provide proof that they attempted to hire Canadian citizens prior to my appointment. However, as I am currently employed by the company, would they instead have to provide a case that it would now be difficult to replace me? Are LMOs generally accepted or are they difficult to obtain? Does the fact that I am already employed by the company have any bearing on the case?

Also, pardon my ignorance, but wouldn't I also need a visa in addition to my work permit? Or am I granted a visa upon acceptance of my work permit?

Thanks once more.

 

[scylla]

For the LMO to be approved, they must advertise the job and prove that no suitable Canadians/PRs could be found to fill the roll. There's no way around this requirement.

The fact that you're already employed by the company doesn't really have any bearing on the process. The purpose of the process is to protect Canadian workers and to ensure they get the first crack at any jobs available.

How difficult it is to get an LMO approved depends on what skills you have (i.e. do you have skills and/or exprience that is rare / difficult to find in a Canadian employee), how thorough a job the company does of proving they need to hire you specifically, what the job market is line for that particular industry, how many people are out looking for work and in what occupations, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[jr1]

Thanks for your help.

How about my question regarding how the visa works? Is it granted if my work permit application is accepted? Or do I have to apply for that separately?

 

[jr1]

How about a skilled worker visa? From what I have read, these take a long time to process so this would only really be an option for staying longer than 2 years? Is that right?

 

[scylla]

How about a skilled worker visa? From what I have read, these take a long time to process so this would only really be an option for staying longer than 2 years? Is that right?

There are several options for staying longer than two years. You could do this through a work permit if you can find an employer who is willing to go through the LMO process and willing to renew it each year.

The Federal Skilled Worker program is also an option. However the applications take anywhere from a few months to a few years to process. Also because you are a web developer, this means your job is not on the list of desired occupations and you would have to have an AEO (arranged employment offer/option) to qualify to apply.

You could look into the various provincial immigration programs (each has different requirements).

There's also Canadian Experience Class which lets you apply for PR once you have two years of full time work experience in Canada in a skilled occupation. They are talking about lowering the requirement to one year - but I have no idea when this will happen. The processing time for this route is around a year and a half.

You'll have to do quite a bit more research and reading on the cic web site to see what you might qualify for. Another option (of course) is to hire an immigration consultant to do the research for you if you don't have the time/don't feel comfortable doing it yourself.

 

[nevenj]

Hey,

according to

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d

there are still over 500 places left so you should be safe.

Concerning LMO, it is very difficult to get LMO for your position (I work as a software developer under IEC and I'm in a same position as you). Getting LMO for IT positions in Ontario is very difficult because there are enough Canadian citizens and permanent residents which qualify for these positions.

 

[tozo]

@ scylla,i have a question for you.

my friend had a post graduate work permit which valid for a year and she tried to extend it but the cic requested LMO from her and she could not provide one so CIC refused her application and in the letter ask her to leave canada.........currently she is out of status because all document have expired.....last week she got an employer who is prepared to apply LMO for her so she can apply for a work permit....now am wondering whats are her options now and how will this work since cic have ask her to leave canada and also out of status ........whats are her options now ...please advice.

 

[jr1]

Hey,

according to

canadainternational.gc.ca/united_kingdom-royaume_uni/experience_canada_experience/index.aspx?view=d

there are still over 500 places left so you should be safe.

Concerning LMO, it is very difficult to get LMO for your position (I work as a software developer under IEC and I'm in a same position as you). Getting LMO for IT positions in Ontario is very difficult because there are enough Canadian citizens and permanent residents which qualify for these positions.

The problem is, a week ago there were over 700 places available and I am yet to receive confirmation that I have met the requirements for IEC, therefore am yet to pay. I sent an email to the IEC department asking whether once I've paid I am still in danger of having my application rejected due to places running out, but I have found they generally ignore emails so I am left clueless to whether this is the case. It's worrying as at the current rate the places are going, combined with the 6-8 week processing time, the places will have gone.