Hi there,
I'm so confused by the whole process so maybe someone can shed some light...
I am on my second year IEC working holiday visa and looking to stay in Canada after it expires in July 2013. I am a mental health worker from the UK, and currently have a full time permanent position in Vancouver. My employer tells me that they have attempted an LMO before and failed because we are unionized and don't advertise positions across the whole of Canada. I have been looking into the skilled worker program, but the following has me a bit stuck!!
The CIC website states that:
I'm so confused by the whole process so maybe someone can shed some light...
I am on my second year IEC working holiday visa and looking to stay in Canada after it expires in July 2013. I am a mental health worker from the UK, and currently have a full time permanent position in Vancouver. My employer tells me that they have attempted an LMO before and failed because we are unionized and don't advertise positions across the whole of Canada. I have been looking into the skilled worker program, but the following has me a bit stuck!!
The CIC website states that:
f you have an offer of permanent employment from a Canadian employer, it can improve your chances of having your federal skilled worker application approved. A valid offer of employment has to be for full-time and not seasonal work.
Depending on your circumstances, the requirements for a valid offer of employment are different.
If you are currently working in Canada:
your current employer must have made an offer to give you a permanent job if you are accepted as a federal skilled worker, and
your temporary work permit must be valid both when you apply for a permanent resident visa and when the visa is issued.
In addition:
your work permit must have been issued by CIC based on a positive labour market opinion from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) or
you must be in a category that is exempt from an Arranged Employment Opinion – for example, you are currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from the labour market opinion requirement under an international agreement (e.g. North America Free Trade Agreement) or a significant benefit category (e.g. intra-company transferee).
/quote]
I guess my current work visa will have run out by the time I would be issued a skilled worker visa - does anyone know if I would be able to continue to work on implied status and if this would be sufficient, or would I have technically have to apply for a temporary work permit (which I can't do without an LMO?).
Do I have any other options available to me? If it is possible to apply for the skilled worker program, is it better to apply straight away or wait until the proposed changes take effect?
Phew!!
Thanks in advance for any advice!!
