Work permit for Greek-Albanian couple

[elefkokkonan]

So, I am a Greek citizen but my wife is Albanian. We both have our LMO's and job offers (different jobs we apply individually not as dependent) as well as most of the other required documents. The problem is where to apply for our work permit. According to the consulting firm that supposed to arange our paperwork, me as Greek citizen can go directly to Canada and apply at the POE for my work permit, since the only papers I need is the LMO, the contract and my legal documents. As for my wife it's a lot more complicated since she is albanian she requires a TRV for which she has to apply in the Canadian embassy in Italy. So the question is: Is it possible for my wife to submit her application in the Rome embassy, and if it gets through we both go to Canada and I apply for my own work permit there at the POE? If this is possible how long will the process for my wife take? According to the web-site it takes 30 days for an application to be prosessed, but is that just for the application process or for the whole thing including interview medicals etc? The reason I ask is that our LMO expires in 2 months... Are 2 months enough to complete the whole process?

to Sum up the questions:
1. Can my wife and I apply sepparatly (she in Rome, me at POT)?
2. Are to months enough to process and issue a work permit (including interview, medicals etc)
3 Will I need the IELTS exam if I apply for my work permit at the POE?

 

[PMM]

Hi

So, I am a Greek citizen but my wife is Albanian. We both have our LMO's and job offers (different jobs we apply individually not as dependent) as well as most of the other required documents. The problem is where to apply for our work permit. According to the consulting firm that supposed to arange our paperwork, me as Greek citizen can go directly to Canada and apply at the POE for my work permit, since the only papers I need is the LMO, the contract and my legal documents. As for my wife it's a lot more complicated since she is albanian she requires a TRV for which she has to apply in the Canadian embassy in Italy. So the question is: Is it possible for my wife to submit her application in the Rome embassy, and if it gets through we both go to Canada and I apply for my own work permit there at the POE? If this is possible how long will the process for my wife take? According to the web-site it takes 30 days for an application to be prosessed, but is that just for the application process or for the whole thing including interview medicals etc? The reason I ask is that our LMO expires in 2 months... Are 2 months enough to complete the whole process?

to Sum up the questions:
1. Can my wife and I apply sepparatly (she in Rome, me at POT)?
2. Are to months enough to process and issue a work permit (including interview, medicals etc)
3 Will I need the IELTS exam if I apply for my work permit at the POE?

1. Yes.
2. The processing time at Rome is 1 month, plus the medical time so 2 months is probably not doable. So you may have to proceed to Canada before your LMO expires, as long as your spouse applies within the validity of her LMO, she is fine.
3. No.
4.

 

[elefkokkonan]

1. Yes.
2. The processing time at Rome is 1 month, plus the medical time so 2 months is probably not doable. So you may have to proceed to Canada before your LMO expires, as long as your spouse applies within the validity of her LMO, she is fine.
3. No.

Awsome, but just to be clear 2 months might not be enough for the process to go through BUT as long as my wife applies BEFORE the LMO expires the immigration office will concider the application valid even if the WP process finishes after the expiration of the LMO. Right? Sorry if I just rephrase your answer to a question but a lot depends on the accuracy of this info ..

 

[elefkokkonan]

Not to be ungreatfull to the very helpfull PMM, but is there a way to cross check this info through some official chanell? I 've emailed to several Visa Offices and consulates but no one seems to respond to my questions... Could anyone pitch in here and add to PMM's answer? Seems the only thing I can rely upon is the collective experience of this forum..

 

[ThreeSquareImm]

You have hired a consultant and also received good information from a senior member. What more do you want?!

 

[elefkokkonan]

My consultant sucks, he had absolutelly no info on my wife's case (if you believe it she called me after the LMOs were issued and asked me "Your wife is Albanian? you never told me..." while I had send passports and all sorts of info... Sad but true, many consulting agencies are just disapointingly incompitent), I had to dig through tons of internet material to get a grip of the situation. I m sorry if I sound misstrusting, I just had my hopes high so many times until some crucial piece of info proved itself wrong in the process..

 

[canadiara]

hello elefkokkonan, since you are a greek citizen, why couldn't your wife take greek citizenship as well? i am greek and i have dual citizenship (greek and albanian) and i know that legislation on this matter has changed in greece. i don't assume to know your circumstances, but i think it would be easier for you. although, i don't know how quick things can happen in greece for your lmo not to expire...

on another note, and my apologies if this is not the right place, but who are you working with? is your consultant in greece or in canada?

 

[elefkokkonan]

Unfortunately this sort of thing (citizenship etc) works agonisingly slow here in greece. We are married for a little over a year and thats just no enough for the goverment to take you seriously even if my wife is 13 years in greece and has 9 solid years in the greek schoolsystem.. anyway I know greek citizenship would work a treat in our situation but it's a no-no for now.. I m not directly in contact with the consulting company that's supposed to help us through because they were hired through my employer in canada... I ve tried in multiple occasions to contact them but they just wont pick up the phone or answer any email. At least they came through with LMO, thats something I guess Now we are on our own...

 

[canadiara]

i know things are tough in greece, at least you're getting out of dodge. i wish i could do that. i've been trying to get a job in canada and have not been lucky. anyway, i wish you all the best.