Husband been offered job in Canada; can I get work permit?

[English Rose]

Hi all,

My husband has been offered a job in Canada, starting in September. He is a Canadian citizen, and I am British; we are currently living in Britain. I am trying to figure out whether I can work in Canada, too.

We are considering doing a PR application for me, but obviously that will take some time.

So, I wonder if I might be eligible for a work visa based on his job offer, as per CIC's information on "Spouses and common-law partners: Accompanying a student or a temporary worker"

He has an 8-month renewable contract, teaching at a university, so he would be considered skill level A. However, given that he has Canadian citizenship, it seems possible that I would not be eligible for an open work permit (OWP). In other words, if both of us were not Canadian, it seems I could apply for an OWP. Because he *is* Canadian, however, it is unclear whether I would be eligible.

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[scylla]

So, I wonder if I might be eligible for a work visa based on his job offer, as per CIC's information on "Spouses and common-law partners: Accompanying a student or a temporary worker"

In other words, if both of us were not Canadian, it seems I could apply for an OWP. Because he *is* Canadian, however, it is unclear whether I would be eligible.

Unfortunately your suspicisions are correct. You don't qualify for an open work permit because your husband is a Canadian citizen (rather than a foreign worker).

If he sponsors you using the inland (inside of Canada) process, then you will qualify for an open work permit once the application has first stage approval (this takes about six months). If he sponsors you using the outland process, then you won't qualify to work until after your application has been approved and you have become a PR of Canada. If you can find an employer is Canada who is willing to offer you a job (and can obain an approved Labour Market Opinion) - this would be one way to be able to work sooner. Alternatively, does your current employer have offices in Canada and would they be willing to transfer you here?

 

[wsongco]

If the job offer is located in Ontario you may want to check this link

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2011/2011-01-30.asp

 

[amikety]

You may qualify for an IEC visa. If you do, have your application ready to go asap in January 2014, as the UK's quota fills up fast.

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

If you apply for PR, check into the London Thread and their spreadsheet. It seems London VO processes application very fast - many times faster than Stage 1 (when you get the work permit) for Inland sponsorship. (You can be inside Canada and apply Outland.) You can review the sticky thread by Leon for more information.

 

[English Rose]

You may qualify for an IEC visa. If you do, have your application ready to go asap in January 2014, as the UK's quota fills up fast.

The IEC is a good idea; however, I turn 31 in January 2014, so I think I'll just miss the eligibility period. (It does depend on precisely when in Jan the applications open, but it's a close enough call to make me a bit squeamish--not enough time to plan).

If you apply for PR, check into the London Thread and their spreadsheet. It seems London VO processes application very fast - many times faster than Stage 1 (when you get the work permit) for Inland sponsorship. (You can be inside Canada and apply Outland.) You can review the sticky thread by Leon for more information.

If I apply for PR I'll do so via London, yes. I've seen the spreadsheet and the London office does generally seem to be v quick. Thank you for clarifying that one can apply Outland while in Canada, and thanks for the heads up re the sticky thread.

 

[English Rose]

If the job offer is located in Ontario you may want to check this link

Ack, the job offer is in BC. A scheme like this in BC would have been perfect!!

 

[English Rose]

If you can find an employer is Canada who is willing to offer you a job (and can obain an approved Labour Market Opinion) - this would be one way to be able to work sooner. Alternatively, does your current employer have offices in Canada and would they be willing to transfer you here?

Thank you for the clarification, Scylla. My employer doesn't have offices in Canada, unfortunately, but I am looking out for job ads, for the reasons you suggest. I am awaiting an answer on a position that would run from Jan-Apr 2014; however, even if I am successful, it may be 0.66 time rather than f/t. Do you know if a job offer needs to be f/t to be eligible for a work permit?

I used to work in Canada (on a post-graduation permit) and I have been hoping that my old employers will have a vacancy soon--they have expressed a clear interest in my applying should they have a vacancy--but no luck as yet.

 

[English Rose]

Hi all, I'm just following up on--and clarifying--my previous question.

Can a temporary work permit be offered for a part-time position? Or would a work permit only be issued for a full-time offer of work?

(I understand about LMO etc.)

Thanks.

 

[scylla]

I believe LMOs are typically only granted for full time roles. But I'm not certain. Hopefully someone else will comment.

 

[PMM]

Hi

I believe LMOs are typically only granted for full time roles. But I'm not certain. Hopefully someone else will comment.

Full time only.

 

[English Rose]

Full time only.

Thanks so much--this is really helpful.

 

[Leon]

Immigration used to define full time work as 37.5 hrs. per week but they seem to have changed that to 30 hrs., see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp

Full-time work means at least 30 hours of paid work per week.