UK citizen with job offer but LMIA not possible - IEC or spouse open permit??

[oscillate.wildly]

Hi everyone,

Hope you can all give me some advice. This work permit stuff sure is complicated!

I'm from the UK and have a job offer to work in Canada for 3 1/2 months from May 2015, along with my long-term boyfriend from the USA (we're not married but are common-law according to the definition). The employer usually employs Canadian and US citizens, who can work under the NAFTA conditions; however I am going to need a work permit and they are not willing to go down the LMIA route because of the costs and uncertainty. I have found 2 possible solutions and not sure which is best or possible:

1. the International Exchange Canada program sounds perfect, BUT I am worried about the uncertainty of getting a visa given the quota. Can anyone comment on the possibility of this? I am monitoring the website and will be ready on the dot when the rounds open, but sounds like they go VERY quickly, i.e. even if you are there at the right time and can type fast you can still miss out Plus I am currently in the US - I am assuming I can apply outside of the UK?

2. an open work permit as my common-law partner is working the same position, IF I can come as an academic (as this does not require an LMIA) - this is where I need advice. But the definition of academic is fuzzy:
w w w .cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-permit.asp
I am currently studying a PhD in the same research area as the job (bird ecology and the job is monitoring birds) - I will have my PhD by the time the job begins. I am also continuing to write papers from the research and still will be when I come to work. Therefore am I classed as an academic by being a researcher? If so then perhaps this is an option.

Many thanks in advance for your help, must find a solution because on top of things my US visa only lets me have 6/12 months in the US and so this is our only option for avoiding a long separation

Thanks
Emma

 

[scylla]

I'll help with one question.

1. There's really no way any of us can tell you what the chances are that you will be successful in obtaining an IEC. You're right in understanding that they go extremely quickly and people are left disappointed each year. I believe one of the three batches was snapped up this year in less than 1/2 hour and the last in less than 15 minutes. Yes - you can apply from the US.

 

[oscillate.wildly]

I'll help with one question.

1. There's really no way any of us can tell you what the chances are that you will be successful in obtaining an IEC. You're right in understanding that they go extremely quickly and people are left disappointed each year. I believe one of the three batches was snapped up this year in less than 1/2 hour and the last in less than 15 minutes. Yes - you can apply from the US.

Thanks

Do you know if I require the police certificate when I apply, or can I get that once I know I have been accepted (if I am!)

Also, am I right thinking that I should find out pretty soon within 2 weeks whether I will have a place or not? Seems the processing time is 8 weeks but I would need to know before then and this seems to be the timeframe for the conditional letter of acceptance

 

[britinvancouver]

Thanks

Do you know if I require the police certificate when I apply, or can I get that once I know I have been accepted (if I am!)

Also, am I right thinking that I should find out pretty soon within 2 weeks whether I will have a place or not? Seems the processing time is 8 weeks but I would need to know before then and this seems to be the timeframe for the conditional letter of acceptance

You won't need the police certificate to apply, but you will need it after the Conditional letter and you need to send it within a short timeframe too (I heard on another thread that they only gave 2 weeks rather than the traditional 4 weeks for the certificate this year, so if you are in the US I'd suggest on applying for your police cert before you find out about your Conditional letter. My letter took about 6 weeks to come in 2013, they might be quicker now perhaps.