IEC Refused, Apply for work permit anyway?

[andyshephard]

Hi all,

I'm a UK national, and I've recently been refused for the IEC program (didn't add middle name on the application).
I know I would still be eligible for a visitor visa, but I'm looking to work also.

Several Questions:
#1: Would I be able to apply for an open work permit without IEC?
#2: If I arrive in Canada on a visitor visa, can I apply for a work permit here, if I find an employer willing to hire me?

Many thanks,
Andy.

 

[scylla]

#1 No - you won't. If you want to work, you need a job offer from an employer and that employer must obtain an approved Labour Market Opinion. Once you have the job offer and approved LMO, you can then apply for a closed work permit tied to that specific employer.
#2 Yes - see above. Once you have the job offer & LMO, the fastest way to obtain a work permit will be to travel to a US/Canada land border and "flagpole".

 

[andyshephard]

Thanks for the info.
I've been reading on the forums here that the LMO can take up to 6 months.
I'm a software developer which I hear could be classed as a skilled profession.

If so, how long would the LMO take for a skilled worker?

 

[zardoz]

Unless you have unique skills, software developers are not in particularly short supply. As an LMO requirement is that no Canadian citizen or permanent resident could be found to fill the position, it might be hard to obtain an LMO at all.

 

[andyshephard]

Ah right. And, what if I were to freelance?
Could I simply go to Canada on a visitor visa, and work for Canadian or even International employers?
... or would that require another type of visa?

 

[zardoz]

Working freelance is OK as long as Canada is not involved, either as employers or as clients.
If you could be considered in ANY form to be competing against a person with the right to work in Canada, then it's illegal without a work permit. There is no way to obtain a work permit as self-employed under your particular circumstances.

 

[andyshephard]

Okay then, perfect.
Thank you, I really appreciate the help with this!

Ideally, I would arrive to Canada and get a visitor visa... then either freelance or try to get a job in Canada and wait for the LMO (if at all possible).
Then, apply for the IEC again when it opens for UK nationals, and put my middle name on the application... get accepted, eventually get the visa and open work permit and continue my adventure!

Hopefully, it will all work out.

Many thanks again!

 

[zardoz]

Welcome.. Good luck!