Temporary Work Permit - what are my options?

[1049]

Hi all,

I'm sure this same exact topic has been made hundreds of times, so I'm sorry to be a broken record here.
I'm a US citizen who was trying to get an intra-company transfer to a branch in BC. All parties were interested, but HR will not work with me at all on the work permit process. Basically, they will not officially offer me the job until I have legal work status in Canada.

So I'm in a bit of a catch 22. I'm not sure how to go about applying for a work permit without the written job offer, but I can't get the written job offer without a work permit.

To clarify, this would likely end up being a temporary relocation of only a year or so.

There's so much information out there and I'm getting completely mixed answers from all of the sources. If anyone could point me in any sort of direction it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[rhcohen2014]

what is your reason for going to BC? If it's to be with a significant other, can you work remotely for the US office? That way you can enter as a visitor, and still work. The border agents like it when you are working for a US company.

All work visas START with a job offer, so it's a little fishy the company won't give you one if they value you as an employee and truly want you to transfer. Perhaps showing them the rules will help? What they may not be interested in doing is applying for an LMO if it's needed. It is timely and costly for an employer.

IF you haven't started browsing the CIC site, go to this link:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.asp

 

[1049]

what is your reason for going to BC? If it's to be with a significant other, can you work remotely for the US office? That way you can enter as a visitor, and still work. The border agents like it when you are working for a US company.

All work visas START with a job offer, so it's a little fishy the company won't give you one if they value you as an employee and truly want you to transfer. Perhaps showing them the rules will help? What they may not be interested in doing is applying for an LMO if it's needed. It is timely and costly for an employer.

My reasons for wanting to transfer are for friends/significant other/life experience. Nothing that I can get a sponsor out of, though.

The company I currently work for is very corporate. At the branch level, they are interested in the transfer, it's just when it gets higher up that the trouble begins. I was banking on being able to use the transfer for the work permit, but now I'm at a bit of a loss.
And unfortunately, I'm not sure the kind of work I do could be done remotely.
I'm sure they are just trying to cover themselves legally/financially. They don't want to deal with the time and money it takes to help someone through the process of getting an LMO and work permit.

I didn't find much help when I was browsing on the CIC website, but that may just be my own ignorance. It seems like every resource I look at gives different information, so I'm really just left scratching my head.