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
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