LABOUR MARKET OPINION

[grunter]

I'm still waiting on my LMO to come through, i have been waiting ages for it, does anyone know if i can get through the border with just my job offer letter. My wife's college course in Calgary starts at the beginning of April therefore we need to be there by the end of next month.

Does anybody know if it's possible for us to get to the border and they'll issue us a work and study permit WITHOUT the LMO?

Fingers crossed it comes through before next month and it'll be no problem but I'm asking just incase it doesn't.

Can anybody shed some light on this please.

Many thanks, Grant

 

[wilson]

Hi,

Accompanying spouses or common-law partners of foreign students are eligible for an open work permit, which means they do not need a job offer or a labour market opinion ( LMO ) from Service Canada.

You cannot get the work order or study permit on arrival at the boarder or any port of entry.

A study permit for the student ( Student visa ) and open work permit for the spouse of the student is issued as per the procedure laid down by CIC.

Read here about the work permits for student and spouse:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-spouse.asp#step2

 

[grunter]

Thanks for your reply.

My brother in law and his wife moved to Calgary in June, when they got to the border all they had was his LMO and his job offer letter, they were both granted entry and were both given their work permits at the port of entry. They didnt have any problems.

I was just wondering if we would be granted entry given that my wife has a place at college and i have a job offer but unfortunately no LMO as of yet.

 

[scylla]

You may be granted entry as visitors (tourists) without an LMO. But you won't be granted a work permit or a study permit.

 

[grunter]

Ok thanks for the info

 

[scylla]

Just to add...

I don't know what will happen at the border if you show up with no LMO but the intention of moving to Canada to live.

Visitors/tourists are only allowed into Canada for a fixed period of time. People who show up to "visit" but have packed and behave like they're "moving" can sometimes run into trouble at immigration and be refused entry (even those from visa exempt countries).

I have no idea what would happen in your case but the chance that you may be refused entry (no matter how small a chance), is something you should consider. Utlimately, the decision about whether to let you into the country will be up to the immigration officer you encounter.

I'm sure you also realize that LMOs are sometimes refused (same goes for study visas). So that's another risk of entering before you have the approved LMO and study permit.

Anyway - sorry I don't have answers to the above.

 

[grunter]

Thank you, i know we'd be taking a big chance, just thought I'd see if anyone knew what the answer was.

Thanks again, you've been a good help.

 

[joane]

hi may i ask how long would it take to process my working permit from singapore after obtaining LMO?

thanks so much