Independent contractor job offer for work permit

[Anisrk]

Hi,
I am a UK citizen, planning to move to Canada. The organization I work for currently has offices in United States, India and UK. I am employed permanently with this company now. I asked them if I could work for the same company in Canada on a work permit, since they have people working in Canada. But I was informed that they have employees working from Canada for our US organization but only as independent contractors and I can also be offered the same.
My question is, can I apply for a work permit using an independent contractor job offer for the same company I now work for from UK. From what I understand based on the Canada-UK trade agreement, UK applicants are exempt form LMIA assessments, so I need to only apply for the work permit.
If not what other options do I have?
Thank You!

 

[Naturgrl]

Hi,
I am a UK citizen, planning to move to Canada. The organization I work for currently has offices in United States, India and UK. I am employed permanently with this company now. I asked them if I could work for the same company in Canada on a work permit, since they have people working in Canada. But I was informed that they have employees working from Canada for our US organization but only as independent contractors and I can also be offered the same.
My question is, can I apply for a work permit using an independent contractor job offer for the same company I now work for from UK. From what I understand based on the Canada-UK trade agreement, UK applicants are exempt form LMIA assessments, so I need to only apply for the work permit.
If not what other options do I have?
Thank You!

You are not eligible for a LMIA exemption. Your employer needs to file for a LMIA exemption for you to work in Canada. So the employer needs to have Canadian presence (pay taxes, offices, employers). You cannot just apply for a work permit with a LMIA exempted job offer if not a Canadian employer. How old are you? If a certain age, you may be eligible for an IEC.

 

[scylla]

Hi,
I am a UK citizen, planning to move to Canada. The organization I work for currently has offices in United States, India and UK. I am employed permanently with this company now. I asked them if I could work for the same company in Canada on a work permit, since they have people working in Canada. But I was informed that they have employees working from Canada for our US organization but only as independent contractors and I can also be offered the same.
My question is, can I apply for a work permit using an independent contractor job offer for the same company I now work for from UK. From what I understand based on the Canada-UK trade agreement, UK applicants are exempt form LMIA assessments, so I need to only apply for the work permit.
If not what other options do I have?
Thank You!

UK applicants are not exempt from LMIAs. You've misunderstood the rules.

If you are 30 or under, then look into the IEC / Working Holiday Visa program which could grant you a 1 year open work permit. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...ec/eligibility.html?selection=gb-wh#selection

Otherwise your employer needs to obtain an approved LMIA before you can qualify to apply for a work permit.