remote employee in Philippines trip to Canada

[bkk707]

Hi, our company has an off-shore employee in the Phils. We would like for her to visit Canada for several weeks in December. Can someone advise the type of visa she needs? Technically she we will be "working" in Canada (essentially doing the same job that she performs in the Phils, but will be in Canada). The trip is simply a goodwill gesture - allowing her to visit our Canadian premise, meet her co-workers, attend Christmas party etc. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[scylla]

Hi, our company has an off-shore employee in the Phils. We would like for her to visit Canada for several weeks in December. Can someone advise the type of visa she needs? Technically she we will be "working" in Canada (essentially doing the same job that she performs in the Phils, but will be in Canada). The trip is simply a goodwill gesture - allowing her to visit our Canadian premise, meet her co-workers, attend Christmas party etc. Any help would be appreciated.

She needs a work permit.

 

[bkk707]

Hi, that's what i thought. Any idea how long the work permit application takes? Also what is the liklihood of success? And then if obtains a work permit she then applies for a visa? The visa turnaround from Phils is 35 days, so wondering if this is actually doable for December

 

[scylla]

Hi, that's what i thought. Any idea how long the work permit application takes? Also what is the liklihood of success? And then if obtains a work permit she then applies for a visa? The visa turnaround from Phils is 35 days, so wondering if this is actually doable for December

The first step is for you to apply for an LMIA, unless the job is LMIA exempt for some reason (most likely it isn't). The LMIA process is quite involved and you need to be willing to go through the effort / expense to get one. The first step will be to advertise the job for a month (following the LMIA advertising requirements) to prove no Canadian could be hire for the role. More information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment...gn-workers/median-wage/high/requirements.html

Note that an LMIA/work permit for a 3 week work permit will not be approved. If you are applying for an LMIA/work permit, normally the individual is coming to Canada for at least one year to work.

If the LMIA is approved, then your staff member would apply for a closed work permit.

I'm not sure where you got the 35 days from to process a visa from the Philippines. Processing times for work permits is 11 weeks (not 35 days). Maybe you were looking at the TRV processing times? If so, this is not the processing time that applies.

 

[bkk707]

thank you. I thought that after she gets a work permit that she then applies for a TRV (processing time for TRV from Phils is 35 days according to IRCC).
It sounds like this is not going to happen. She is a remote worker who has worked for us for the past year and she's doing an excellent job. We thought it would be a nice gesture to bring her to Canada to attend our Christmas party, meet her co-workers and see our operation. However there doesn't seem to be a process for this to happen (not one that could be done in time for Christmas). Shame

 

[scylla]

thank you. I thought that after she gets a work permit that she then applies for a TRV (processing time for TRV from Phils is 35 days according to IRCC).
It sounds like this is not going to happen. She is a remote worker who has worked for us for the past year and she's doing an excellent job. We thought it would be a nice gesture to bring her to Canada to attend our Christmas party, meet her co-workers and see our operation. However there doesn't seem to be a process for this to happen (not one that could be done in time for Christmas). Shame

No TRV is needed.

First step is for you to apply for the LMIA. Then, if the LMIA is approved, she would apply for the closed work permit. Once the closed work permit is approved, she could then travel to Canada.

 

[bkk707]

Ok thanks but it sounds like there is no way she would be approved from an LMIA. Her job could clearly be filled by someone in Canada. Also her stay in Canada would be 2-3 weeks max. Realistically the only way she could come is with TRV and keep the company out of it.

 

[scylla]

Ok thanks but it sounds like there is no way she would be approved from an LMIA. Her job could clearly be filled by someone in Canada. Also her stay in Canada would be 2-3 weeks max. Realistically the only way she could come is with TRV and keep the company out of it.

Yes, agreed with all of the above.

And if she ends up coming on the TRV, you must make sure she does absolutely no work while in Canada.