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

Why do some tech companies looking for software developers not hire PRs and only hire Canadian citizens? Is that legal?

P

pxc3110

Star Member
Sep 25, 2020
64
1
I came across a job post by a tech company hiring software developers in Newfoundland on Indeed. I'm wondering why they don't hire non-nationals (ie they DONT even hire PRs). Can someone explain?
 
Last edited:
pxc3110 said:
I came across a job post by a company in Newfoundland on Indeed. I'm wondering why they don't hire non-nationals. Can someone explain?
Click to expand...
Because Canadians and PRs can work legally in Canada. If you don’t have work authorization, the process for employers is expensive and long. Employers can just offer non-nationals a job. They have to prove no Canadian or PR could be hired and then pay $1 and file for a LMIA (Paperwork). Then the employer waits. With a LMIA, the foreigner applies for a closed work permit and this can take up to a year. Few employers go through the process if they can hire within Canada. And of course, it is legal.
 
pxc3110 said:
I came across a job post by a company in Newfoundland on Indeed. I'm wondering why they don't hire non-nationals. Can someone explain?
Click to expand...

Can have to do with needing access to sensitive information. Some indicate they only want applicants who are PRs or citizens because they want to hire someone able to work right away and someone who can remain in the job longterm. What type of job?
 
pxc3110 said:
I came across a job post by a company in Newfoundland on Indeed. I'm wondering why they don't hire non-nationals. Can someone explain?
Click to expand...
Many companies dealing with government contracts need their employees to achieve certain level security clearance. That is not possible with PRs.
 
pxc3110 said:
I came across a job post by a company in Newfoundland on Indeed. I'm wondering why they don't hire non-nationals. Can someone explain?
Click to expand...

If it's limited to Canadian citizens only (no permanent residents) then it has something to do with security clearances required to do the job or access data related to the job. Some levels of security clearance are only available to citizens.

Yes, it's legal.
 
canuck78 said:
Can have to do with needing access to sensitive information. Some indicate they only want applicants who are PRs or citizens because they want to hire someone able to work right away and someone who can remain in the job longterm. What type of job?
Click to expand...
They actually don't want PRs either.
 
pxc3110 said:
They actually don't want PRs either.
Click to expand...

Yes, that makes sense if the job involves high levels of security clearances. This is for example very normal in certain government jobs. Only open to citizens for security reasons.
 
  • Like
Reactions: canuck78
Copingwithlife said:
You do realize once upon a time, before the flood gates opened , that ALL civil servant jobs were only open to citizens?
Give an inch, they’ll take a mile
Least entitlement is alive and well in this country
Click to expand...
but it's just an IT company hiring software developers?
 
pxc3110 said:
but it's just an IT company hiring software developers?
Click to expand...

Depends on what kind of work they do. They may primarily do contracts / development for the government or law enforcement.

There are other reasons why jobs are sometimes limited to citizens.

Hard to say what it is in this case without knowing the full details.
 
  • Like
Reactions: canuck78
You must log in or register to reply here.