potential employer wants to interview me in canada

[keai_253]

Hi,

I am new here.

I would like to ask for help regarding my condition on going to Canada.

I have a potential employer that would like to invite me for an interview in Canada, and since I am a Filipino, I would need a TRV.
Please note that I'm currently working here in Singapore.

So my questions are:
1. Can I submit my application for TRV in Canadian Embassy here in Singapore?
2. Since the potential employer will shoulder all the expenses of this trip, what would I need to indicate in the proof of sufficient funds in completing the TRV Application form?
3. Do I still need bank statement?
4. How much should I have in the bank so the Canadian Embassy will approve my TRV?

Appreciate all of your response and advance thank you to everyone.

 

[Pippin]

Like all TRV's your priority will be to prove to the VO that you will not overstay. Your have to show STRONG TIES to your country and working in a second country will make this a challenge unless you can show property ownership, family, travel history, good employment prospects and income. Do a search in the white box, top right side on the main forum page for things like TRV refusals, TIES, etc. Look at all the examples given. You will need a letter of invitation from the employer outlining the position being interviewed for and terms of the trip (he will pay your expenses, how long he wants to interview you, what qualifications required and that he has already tried to get a local employee, etc.) I am sure there are other points, but these came to mind first. If you are not from a visa exempt country and are not a citizen of Singapore, you may find it a challenge to get the TRV. Had you thought of doing a skype interview and then applying for a work permit, presupposing the employer already has an LMO for the position? The reason I say this is that if they refuse your TRV for the interview, it might make it harder for you to get the WP/TRV in the future. Hope others will give you some advice as well. Good luck.

 

[ragluf]

I have a potential employer that would like to invite me for an interview in Canada, and since I am a Filipino, I would need a TRV.
Please note that I'm currently working here in Singapore.

So my questions are:
1. Can I submit my application for TRV in Canadian Embassy here in Singapore?

if you are working and residing in Singapore and have legal status there - you can submit your application to the Canadian Embassy in Singapore. Also the purpose of this trip is of temporary/visit nature only; no offer of employement has been agreed upon, no EC has been signed, and no LMO has been applied for. Make this clear in your application - you are going on an interview only, not to immediately work for your prospective employer after arriving in the country. As Master Pippin said - you must prove and show you do not intend to overstay beyond this visit and the reasons for this visit. This is where the strong ties to your country of origin comes in. Take heed of Master Pippin's advise.

2. Since the potential employer will shoulder all the expenses of this trip, what would I need to indicate in the proof of sufficient funds in completing the TRV Application form?
3. Do I still need bank statement?

Typically, POF is required for Visitor visas, so you will need to show proof of funds - bank account statement, or include current employment certificate with position and compensation and have your tax records ready in case.

4. How much should I have in the bank so the Canadian Embassy will approve my TRV?

Rule of thumb is enough to fund your trip. As this is also to be funded by your prospective employer - have them write a letter of invitation on company letterhead, dated and signed and specify that they will be covering/guaranteeing all the expenses of this trip. And make sure the reason for inviting you is for the face-to-face interview, having exhausted all other means of remotely interviewing you (via Skype, video calls etc.)

/hope this helps...

 

[keai_253]

Hi,

Thank you so much for replying on my concern.

Just to let you know more details, we have done a lot of preliminary video conferences and this personal interview in Canada is the last or final stage of the process. Also, I don't know if this may help but the company in Canada that would like to hire me is also the same company that I am currently working here in Singapore, it is just a different regional office stationed in Canada. And the position will be an internal transfer within our company.

Appreciate any feedback from you.

 

[ragluf]

Well then this comes under intracompany transfer. But as this has not been finalized yet, let us keep the conversation on the requirements you need to get a visa for your 'final' interview. What you said does help as this changes the circumstances of your 'invite'.

Technically, your company does not need to specify the reasons for this particular 'visit' and just state they are sending you on an 'official business visit' (it is between branches/regional offices only ). But them, coming clean is better, so make sure your invitation letter from your company does state the reasons for your travel, as well as the conditions of which this travel is to be made (i.e. final interview with senior management etc.). Also, it would help if they describe in that invite letter their need to fill a position and also summarize the process by which you are being vetted for the position, and how this came to be the final stage in the selection process for assignment to that regional position. And get an employment letter detailing your position, compensation and duration of your employment with the Singapore office. And again, make sure the invitation letter states that all expenses are to be guaranteed and provided for by your company.

At this point - what you need is a visit visa, but IMHO this is under a 'business visit' as this is intra-company processes. This is usually applied for or issued to temporary visitors that will be attending company meetings, consultations and or training. Usually for this visit, this is a WX-1 visa, which means you are still attached to your former company but are on 'official business'; your compensation is still paid outside of Canada.

let me know if you have more questions...

 

[keai_253]

Hi Ragluf,

Thank you for your response.

I will check with our Canadian Office on the invitation letter concerns.
As you mentioned below my visit will be under WX-1 visa, processing will also take the usual 14 days, right?

Nevertheless, I will just prepare all the necessary documents that I can so should the VO have any further concerns, I am ready to answer it.

Again thank you so much for all your support and response.

 

[ragluf]

Hi Ragluf,

Thank you for your response.

I will check with our Canadian Office on the invitation letter concerns.
As you mentioned below my visit will be under WX-1 visa, processing will also take the usual 14 days, right?

Nevertheless, I will just prepare all the necessary documents that I can so should the VO have any further concerns, I am ready to answer it.

Again thank you so much for all your support and response.

Technically in your application - you won't be applying for a WX-1 visa. You will just be applying for a TRV/visitor's visa. It is the description of the reasons for your travel/visit to Canada, as outlined in your invite letter and other letters from your Company, that will be the basis of issuing you a WX-1 visa or what type of visa (It may be different, depending on what the Visa Office determines) but just the same, it is still a TRV/visitor visa allowing you entry into Canada. Again, aside from company support, you still need proof of strong ties, as for this visit, you need to show you will return after the visit and have completed your business in Canada.

TRV/visitor visa processing for Embassy of Canada in Singapore - 14 days is the published processing time, but you take in some allowances.

Let me know if you need more info.

/Best of luck to you...

 

[jgelbolingo]

Well then this comes under intracompany transfer. But as this has not been finalized yet, let us keep the conversation on the requirements you need to get a visa for your 'final' interview. What you said does help as this changes the circumstances of your 'invite'.

Technically, your company does not need to specify the reasons for this particular 'visit' and just state they are sending you on an 'official business visit' (it is between branches/regional offices only ). But them, coming clean is better, so make sure your invitation letter from your company does state the reasons for your travel, as well as the conditions of which this travel is to be made (i.e. final interview with senior management etc.). Also, it would help if they describe in that invite letter their need to fill a position and also summarize the process by which you are being vetted for the position, and how this came to be the final stage in the selection process for assignment to that regional position. And get an employment letter detailing your position, compensation and duration of your employment with the Singapore office. And again, make sure the invitation letter states that all expenses are to be guaranteed and provided for by your company.

At this point - what you need is a visit visa, but IMHO this is under a 'business visit' as this is intra-company processes. This is usually applied for or issued to temporary visitors that will be attending company meetings, consultations and or training. Usually for this visit, this is a WX-1 visa, which means you are still attached to your former company but are on 'official business'; your compensation is still paid outside of Canada.

let me know if you have more questions...

I am new here. I hope you can help me.

I am a welder in the Philippines with 10 years experience. I already have a job offer from an employer in Alberta working as Welder (Journeyman). They already have an "Unnamed" ready LMO, just need to put my name on the LMO. The only concern is the processing time for work permit submitted here in the Philippines which takes 5 months or longer and I believe the employer can't wait that long.

I am planning just to get a visitors visa processed here in the Philippines then when I arrive there in Alberta, will need to process work permit. The employer likes this idea, since this is the fastest way. It will only take 14 business days to process here in the Philippines, although I haven't started with the processing yet.

I just want to know if its possible that my employer can provide me an invitation letter, so I can include that on my application for visitor's visa, when the later, they will be the one to employ me when I arrive in Alberta? Will this affect our application when we process the work permit inside Canada, that they are the one inviting me to come? will there be complications?

However, my wife is in Toronto. I am not sure if she can provide me an invitation letter since she is working as a live in Caregiver that don't have the capacity to invite me, and visa officer will doubt about issuing me a visa.

So this is our main concern, but we are really looking for an option that is fast, so we can start the process as soon as possible.

I will be glad if anybody here have this experience.

Thanks.

 

[scylla]

I think having your employer write a letter of invitation is a bad idea. Visitor visas are for people who wish to come to Canada as tourists and have no plans on remaining in Canada long term. I think an invitation letter from your employer will guarantee a refusal.

 

[Pippin]

In addition to Scylla's comments, you cannot work until you have an approved work permit. Having an LMO is not enough.

 

[scylla]

Just to add to what Pippin said, according to the link below, your only option is to apply from the Philippines.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-eligible.asp

Even if you get a visitor visa to Canada, you will still have to obtain a work permit. You can only do this one of two ways: (1) submitting an application from within Canada; (2) going to a US/Canadian land border.

According to the link above, you don't qualify to use either of these processes. You have to apply from outside of Canada (i.e. from the Philippines).

So as soon as your employer has an LMO with your name on it, you should apply for a work permit.

 

[ragluf]

Hi,

The only concern is the processing time for work permit submitted here in the Philippines which takes 5 months or longer and I believe the employer can't wait that long.

It is currently longer with the ongoing PAFSO strike. You will have to inform your employer about this to be able to set expectations. You have to dialogue with your employer on this.

I am planning just to get a visitors visa processed here in the Philippines then when I arrive there in Alberta, will need to process work permit. The employer likes this idea, since this is the fastest way. It will only take 14 business days to process here in the Philippines, although I haven't started with the processing yet.

As with Master Pippin's comments - granted a visitor's visa will be obtained successful - you still cannot legally work in Canada without a work permit even if you are able to enter Canada.

I just want to know if its possible that my employer can provide me an invitation letter, so I can include that on my application for visitor's visa, when the later, they will be the one to employ me when I arrive in Alberta? Will this affect our application when we process the work permit inside Canada, that they are the one inviting me to come? will there be complications?

However, my wife is in Toronto. I am not sure if she can provide me an invitation letter since she is working as a live in Caregiver that don't have the capacity to invite me, and visa officer will doubt about issuing me a visa.

There are some things you have to consider.

If you only have temp residence/visitor status in Canada (assuming again, you get a visitor's visa), you cannot apply for a work permit from within Canada. Master Scylla has provided you the links.

On the subject of the visitor's visa - aside from Master Scylla's comments - note you are applying for a visit visa - and the nature of the visit is "temporary" and the visitor is expected to exit Canada/return to the home country after the duration of the authorized temporary visit. Having an invitation letter from your employer (right now technically you have agreed to terms of employment with your employer), aside from the fact that you have more of a strong tie to Canada (your wife in Toronto) significantly weakens the visitor visa application. The mostly likely view of the VO evaluating the application is that there is greater likelihood that the visitor will intend to "stay" rather than exit Canada owing to these ties and the visitor visa application will likely be refused.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Just to add to what Pippin said, according to the link below, your only option is to apply from the Philippines.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-eligible.asp

Even if you get a visitor visa to Canada, you will still have to obtain a work permit. You can only do this one of two ways: (1) submitting an application from within Canada; (2) going to a US/Canadian land border.

According to the link above, you don't qualify to use either of these processes. You have to apply from outside of Canada (i.e. from the Philippines).

So as soon as your employer has an LMO with your name on it, you should apply for a work permit.

1. Should also be noted that he is a resident of the Philippines and will require a medical, which means that he can't get his TWP by flag poling at a Port of Entry with the US.