Looking for a LMIA.... Impossible/Possible??

[CncrndCDN]

Hello Everyone,

I am a Canadian, born and raised! This post is not about the negativity towards TFW's/immigrants as I've come across a lot of it. This is me trying to find answers that will hopefully help myself, my girlfriend and many others who come across this thread. I now have lots of sympathy for those that are trying to become Canadian PR's and the struggles they face. Long story short, I met a Filipino girl that's a TFW over a year ago and we've been inseparable since. I was fully aware of her status but I was completely uneducated and naive to think things were simple. Over the past month, I have done plenty of research into TFW's, immigration and how challenging things can be.

Three months ago, things were great, no complaints! As far I was aware, my gf just had to continue working as a skilled worker (supervisor in food industry) until 2016, where she would obtain her PR. Unfortunately a wrench was thrown our way... She was let go... for reasons I feel were completely unjustified and potentially illegal! For the sake of not disrupting her colleagues/friends future, I have not pursued this unjust termination... Regardless, I have been extremely headstrong and positive on finding my GF a job, thinking it was going to be relatively simple. Wow was I wrong! She has a non-open-Work-Permit until 2016, so she has time to stay in Canada, but she is unable to work until she finds an employer that is willing to provide a LMIA. Every day she hands out resumes locally... We've contacted a couple agencies locally... I've asked every restaurant or establishment that I happen to be in to see if they have a LMIA. So i'm looking at different approaches, getting a open work permit, common-law, etc.... A lot of people say, just get married... We both agree it would be for the wrong reasons and would be unethical. She's an extremely strong woman and wants little help or attachment from me when it comes to her PR. Which I admire! But I won't sit on the sidelines.

While she's legally entitled to stay in Canada for another year... Who would want to, to just sit at home and do nothing. For her own well being and sanity, she needs a job! Or possibly go back to school... but i know that's another conversation. So the big question.... Where are the LMIA Jobs? What are we doing wrong? Where should we be looking? ps... we are in Edmonton.

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[scylla]

The short answer is that when your girlfriend first got an LMIA, the fees where significantly lower and employers were more likely to participate. With the fee now at $1K, it's much more difficult to find an employer willing to go through the process. Unfortunately there's no secret or shortcut - she just has to keep applying and hope she gets lucky.

 

[katja2684]

I really hope it will work out for you guys. I'm pretty much going through the same except that my current employer is willing to do the LMIA. Question, is she able to apply for PNP?

 

[cyas33]

Sorry to hear that....What is her educational background? Can she apply to go to school here? Does she have savings, lets say to apply for a diploma or degree program...that can extend her stay and she can also work, Outside of getting an LMIA which seems almost impossible these days, her best bet is to try to go back to school.

 

[Pippin]

She could also ask the employer to apply for an LMIA for EE only and it will not cost anything. She would not be able to work until PR came through after invitation, but better than nothing.

 

[CncrndCDN]

Thank you for everyone's responses!

Education is certainly a route we're going to take a look at.

She is not currently employed, but I think we're about to tweak her Cover Letter and verbally ask manager's if they're willing to get a LMIA. The unfortunate thing is that she was close to her EE based on her skilled position with her previous employer.

I've personally called and spoken to 20+ employers that have foreign workers and they're currently scrambling to get a LMIA approved from the government. Just today, i was speaking to a Tim Horton's employee that seemed almost angry at the world. I didn't know why, but after asking about the "Hiring" sign at the front door and whether or not they have a LMIA, I find out she actually has to leave the country as of Saturday. Things are absolutely brutal! I hope in a short period of time, the government will realize the amount of employers asking, if not demanding LMIA's for their current employee's and this will bring some resolve.

As for now, is anyone aware of an employer that physically has LMIA's in Edmonton?

 

[fastfood]

Thank you for everyone's responses!

Education is certainly a route we're going to take a look at.

She is not currently employed, but I think we're about to tweak her Cover Letter and verbally ask manager's if they're willing to get a LMIA. The unfortunate thing is that she was close to her EE based on her skilled position with her previous employer.

I've personally called and spoken to 20+ employers that have foreign workers and they're currently scrambling to get a LMIA approved from the government. Just today, i was speaking to a Tim Horton's employee that seemed almost angry at the world. I didn't know why, but after asking about the "Hiring" sign at the front door and whether or not they have a LMIA, I find out she actually has to leave the country as of Saturday. Things are absolutely brutal! I hope in a short period of time, the government will realize the amount of employers asking, if not demanding LMIA's for their current employee's and this will bring some resolve.

As for now, is anyone aware of an employer that physically has LMIA's in Edmonton?

I completely agree with you..It looks like SC is sleeping these days. Heaps of people out here waiting for LMIAs since more than 6 months. Something is wrong with SC. My employer desperately need me to get Canada but now she is still waiting for LMIA. Once LMIA will be done she will have to wait for the work permit. I can not understand if an employer has to wait almost over one year for an employee to get there, how is it going to help employer in any way? Government really need to either stop immigration or handle it in a proper manner.

I completely agree that immigration is privilage, not a right. But govt should think about Canadian employers.

 

[katja2684]

Could your girlfriend qualify under Express Entry?
The last draw was held today for a minimum of 481 points, hence people without job offers were selected,too.
Even if she doesn't have a job offer, you can create a profile, she will probably qualify under FSW or even CEC if she has 1 year of continuous Canadian skilled work experience.
She'll have to get an ECA and pass the IELTS though.

 

[CncrndCDN]

This might be a ridiculous question.... but when is the next Express Entry draw?

My girlfriend just got her Celpip in the mail and we're about to create a Express Entry Profile.

Ultimately she would love to get a job with a LMIA... but they seem to be only a Myth.... Anyone else had any luck?

Thanks,