+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Umbrella company for tech/IT PNP

vnd

Newbie
Feb 25, 2024
4
0
I work for a US company remotely as a software engineer, and got open work permit under CUAET. Now the plan is to find an umbrella company that can act as an employer for PNP nomination.
Is this a viable scheme in general? If yes, could anyone please suggest particular companies?
I heard from a friend that Alberta and BC are MUCH easier for tech PNP than Ontario, so if that's true I guess it limits provinces to Alberta and BC.

Thank you.
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,763
9,461
I work for a US company remotely as a software engineer, and got open work permit under CUAET. Now the plan is to find an umbrella company that can act as an employer for PNP nomination.
Is this a viable scheme in general? If yes, could anyone please suggest particular companies?
I heard from a friend that Alberta and BC are MUCH easier for tech PNP than Ontario, so if that's true I guess it limits provinces to Alberta and BC.

Thank you.
What is an umbrella company? You need job offer from an employer that meets PNP requirements and has office in the province. No province is easy.
 

vnd

Newbie
Feb 25, 2024
4
0
What is an umbrella company? You need job offer from an employer that meets PNP requirements and has office in the province. No province is easy.
I mean company that acts as an intermediary between a US company I work for and myself. So legally I will be working for that Canadian company, pay all the taxes, etc. And of course some fee/percentage will go to that company. So basically US company pays Canadian company, which pays me.

I heard that in Ontario having a job offer from employer that meets PNP requirements is still not enough in practice, as there are just too many applications for too few spots. Not sure how accurate is that, am interested in any related data/evidence.
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,763
9,461
I mean company that acts as an intermediary between a US company I work for and myself. So legally I will be working for that Canadian company, pay all the taxes, etc. And of course some fee/percentage will go to that company. So basically US company pays Canadian company, which pays me.

I heard that in Ontario having a job offer from employer that meets PNP requirements is still not enough in practice, as there are just too many applications for too few spots. Not sure how accurate is that, am interested in any related data/evidence.
You are talking about a PEO. A PEO probably is not an eligible employer under PNP. For Alberta, the company needs an eligible NAICS code, and shows that they need an employer in their company office. For BC, the job offer must be from a company that has shown that it cannot hire anyone. When filling out the forms, they need to show business registration, number of employees etc. PEOs don’t fit the requirements.
 

vnd

Newbie
Feb 25, 2024
4
0
Thank you. Just to be sure: any chance open work permit changes anything? I mean if I'm already allowed to work, is it still necessary to do market assessment, showing that company couldn't hire anyone else, etc?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,763
9,461
Thank you. Just to be sure: any chance open work permit changes anything? I mean if I'm already allowed to work, is it still necessary to do market assessment, showing that company couldn't hire anyone else, etc?
You have to read up on BC and Alberta PNPs. Having an open work permit doesn’t really change anything unless you are living and working in that province for the employer supporting you. Again you need to research the different paths. If PR is goal focus on EE and increasing score, if possible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vnd

vnd

Newbie
Feb 25, 2024
4
0
You have to read up on BC and Alberta PNPs. Having an open work permit doesn’t really change anything unless you are living and working in that province for the employer supporting you. Again you need to research the different paths. If PR is goal focus on EE and increasing score, if possible.
Thank you, it's quit clear now. Interestingly, in Ontario having work permit exempts employer from a market assessment:
Employers must demonstrate that reasonable efforts were made to recruit a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident prior to offering the position to the applicant, unless:
  • the applicant already has a valid work permit to work in Ontario, or
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,763
9,461
Thank you, it's quit clear now. Interestingly, in Ontario having work permit exempts employer from a market assessment:
Correct but the employer needs to be supportive and fill out the mandatory forms. Many people get invited and don’t realize that the “job offer” means the employer must be on board and eligible. Many employers will not support a nomination and fill out the forms as they must be willing to share potentially confidential information about hiring, taxes etc.