TFW Already in Canada - Applying for the LCP - Questions and Concerns

[lucybear05]

We have found a really great Philippina lady who we would like to hire as a nanny for our toddler. We live in Edmonton, Alberta. This lady has been in Canada since 2008. She came into the country as a regular/unskilled TFW, working for a laundry/linen company. 1.5 years ago she began working as a live-in nanny, but her work permit/paper clearly show “NOT in LCP”. She very much wants to be in the LCP, for obvious reasons, and we would love to be able to assist her in getting in to that program.

So far we have obtained the LMO, and sent in her application for the LCP. We sent the application to Buffalo. We thought about Seattle, but heard that Buffalo is quicker. Not sure if we made a mistake there or not. Anyway, I have some questions that no one has ever been able to answer for me, and hoping some of you knowledgeable people will know the answers:

1. She had a medical exam as part of her original entry into Canada. Will Buffalo make her do another one?

2. Is an interview likely?

3. If she has to go for an interview, are we basically screwed? I am worried that she would not be able to get a visa to visit Buffalo for the interview. If an interview were required, do they at least give you good advance notice, and give you your passport back, so that you have SOME hope of obtaining a US visitor visa to get to the interview?

4. Assuming she is approved, how exactly does she get her new paperwork? Is it all sent in the mail? Does she need to go somewhere to get it? Will this be a problem?

My heart just goes out to this woman. The system seems set up to prevent TFW already in Canada from getting in to this program, which is so unfair. She has been working hard here in Canada and paying her taxes for 4 years, and yet it seems like the system is set up for her to fail to ever change her status and get in to the program. Like the million other foreign nannies working in Canada, she should be able to change her status and earn PR; I just hate that it is so difficult for her. I am worried that after all our work, and giving her hope, this won’t work out for her. I would feel so so bad. PLEASE HELP!

A million thanks to all who respond!

 

[job_seeker]

To be able to enter the LC program, you did the right thing sending the application to Buffalo. But in addition, she must have either 6 month training certificate or at least a year experience as a nanny.

1. She will probably be requested for medicals (which you could have submitted with the package, fait accompli).

2./3. Buffalo sometimes call for interview. Pray she's not called for one.

4. To get her new WP (should she be approved for the visa) she has to do a "flagpole" i.e. go to the closest border (check that the border you're going to can issue WPs), exit Canada to the US side (inform US CBP officers that she's there to pick up her WP) then re-enter Canada and inform the CBSA officer she's there to obtain her WP.

We have found a really great Philippina lady who we would like to hire as a nanny for our toddler. We live in Edmonton, Alberta. This lady has been in Canada since 2008. She came into the country as a regular/unskilled TFW, working for a laundry/linen company. 1.5 years ago she began working as a live-in nanny, but her work permit/paper clearly show “NOT in LCP”. She very much wants to be in the LCP, for obvious reasons, and we would love to be able to assist her in getting in to that program.

So far we have obtained the LMO, and sent in her application for the LCP. We sent the application to Buffalo. We thought about Seattle, but heard that Buffalo is quicker. Not sure if we made a mistake there or not. Anyway, I have some questions that no one has ever been able to answer for me, and hoping some of you knowledgeable people will know the answers:

1. She had a medical exam as part of her original entry into Canada. Will Buffalo make her do another one?

2. Is an interview likely?

3. If she has to go for an interview, are we basically screwed? I am worried that she would not be able to get a visa to visit Buffalo for the interview. If an interview were required, do they at least give you good advance notice, and give you your passport back, so that you have SOME hope of obtaining a US visitor visa to get to the interview?

4. Assuming she is approved, how exactly does she get her new paperwork? Is it all sent in the mail? Does she need to go somewhere to get it? Will this be a problem?

My heart just goes out to this woman. The system seems set up to prevent TFW already in Canada from getting in to this program, which is so unfair. She has been working hard here in Canada and paying her taxes for 4 years, and yet it seems like the system is set up for her to fail to ever change her status and get in to the program. Like the million other foreign nannies working in Canada, she should be able to change her status and earn PR; I just hate that it is so difficult for her. I am worried that after all our work, and giving her hope, this won't work out for her. I would feel so so bad. PLEASE HELP!

A million thanks to all who respond!

 

[lucybear05]

Thanks so much for the response.

What a bummer they will make her do another medical. Seems silly. We did not include that with her application, as it was not on the checklist from the Buffalo embassy. I have heard this can cause huge delay. Is there a way she can get started with the medical now, in advance of them contacting her and requesting it? Can she go to any doctor?

Also, she has good current passport, visa and work permit, which don't expire for some time. So when we submitted her application we did not enclose the form for a new visa application. Was this a mistake? Should she have also been applying for a new visa at the same time, even though she has a good current visa that doesn't expire until some time next year?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[job_seeker]

She can go to DMPs close to your area. CIC website has a list of the DMPs.

It's actually the application for a TFW made outside Canada that she should have made. It includes app for TRFV, WP app and some more.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work.asp

Thanks so much for the response.

What a bummer they will make her do another medical. Seems silly. We did not include that with her application, as it was not on the checklist from the Buffalo embassy. I have heard this can cause huge delay. Is there a way she can get started with the medical now, in advance of them contacting her and requesting it? Can she go to any doctor?

Also, she has good current passport, visa and work permit, which don't expire for some time. So when we submitted her application we did not enclose the form for a new visa application. Was this a mistake? Should she have also been applying for a new visa at the same time, even though she has a good current visa that doesn't expire until some time next year?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[lucybear05]

Yes. we used the application package for "outside Canada". We used the proper checklist for that application. We just didn't include an application for a Visa, since she already has one, and it is good for a long while still. That's what I'm wondering about - was that a mistake? Would they be wanting her to apply all over again for a visa, even though she already has a visa?

 

[job_seeker]

Hmmmm. Maybe best to ask CIC call center for this.

Yes. we used the application package for "outside Canada". We used the proper checklist for that application. We just didn't include an application for a Visa, since she already has one, and it is good for a long while still. That's what I'm wondering about - was that a mistake? Would they be wanting her to apply all over again for a visa, even though she already has a visa?

 

[lucybear05]

OK thanks. Will do so and then will re-post to let you all know what they say about this. Sure hope she didn't need to re-apply, or we made a mistake here!

 

[maricar.lala]

hi lucybear,

just wanted to know what documents you provided as evidence of her english proficiency and work experience? did you just send reference letters? please provide any info you have.

thank you.

 

[lucybear05]

For work experience we submitted her resume (which includes 7 years elder care, plus her current nanny job which she has had for 1.5 years), and a reference letter from her current employer describing her current duties and how long she has worked for him.

For language proficiency, her resume alone suggests she has good proficiency, since it shows she has been in Canada since 2008 as a regular TFW. She also took one of the language tests recognized by CIC (CELPIP) and submitted her test scores.

Hopefully this will be enough!

 

[lucybear05]

Here is an update. She received a letter from Buffalo, 3 weeks after submitting her application. They returned her passport to her. They also requested: (i) copy of her T4 for 2011; (ii) copy of her prospective employers' T4s for 2011; and (iii) copy of her 3 most recent pay stubs for her current employer.

We just sent all this in today. Interesting that they asked for her prospective employes' T4s (ie. for my T4 and my husband's T4), since HRSDC already requested a bunch of our tax information when we applied for the LMO. I am guessing they wanted her T4 and paystubs to confirm she is properly working for the person that her work permit/papers say she should be working for right now. I am so glad we decided that she should NOT risk it and come and work for us under the table. So she is still with her current employer (who is awful to her - doesn't pay her for overtime worked, and charges her for her own workers' compensation which is illegal, etc.). But she in staying there to ensure her status remains above board and proper, so all of her current paperwork is in order, and she is able to provide current pay stubs like they asked.

We are very excited they responded to her application so quickly. We also take it as a good sign that they have not complained that we missed anything on the application. They just seem to be doing a bit more info gathering, and that seems fine. Right? Does this sound promising that they sought some additional info?

 

[maricar.lala]

hi there!

it's good that they respond quickly to her application. thank you for the info that you have provided. i am submitting my application on wednesday and will just include a copy of my T4, and my prospective employer (which is also my current employer, same family). i am actually including my 2011 tax assessment as proof if my employment. hopefully everything will work out for all of us. God bless and thanks again.

 

[maricar.lala]

i agree that it's a positive sign that they didnt have anything to say about lacking requirements that you have submitted. additional docs only means they're digging a little deeper to ensure that the application is genuine and to protect the nanny. keep us posted abt the progress of her application! thanks a lot!

 

[maricar.lala]

lacking requirements that you have not submitted*

 

[lucybear05]

Time for another update, for anyone who is interested in how this type of application might progress. Our prospective nanny got an e-mail today from the Buffalo embassy. They have requested her original current passport. This is kind of annoying, since she sent it in with her application, and then about three weeks ago, they returned it to her. And now they are asking for it again!? :

So she will be mailing it to them tomorrow...for the second time in 1.5 months. So silly. But I do hope this means her application is going well!!! Anyone think this means her application is about to be approved???

We are keeping our fingers crossed!

 

[job_seeker]

Hopefully for visa stamping

Time for another update, for anyone who is interested in how this type of application might progress. Our prospective nanny got an e-mail today from the Buffalo embassy. They have requested her original current passport. This is kind of annoying, since she sent it in with her application, and then about three weeks ago, they returned it to her. And now they are asking for it again!? :

So she will be mailing it to them tomorrow...for the second time in 1.5 months. So silly. But I do hope this means her application is going well!!! Anyone think this means her application is about to be approved???

We are keeping our fingers crossed!