Work Permit on ICT, Trying to change job title, Pending PR application - suggestions plz!

[madrilena]

Hi Everyone,

Hoping someone can share some insight or has had a similar experience here.

I've been working in Canada with an LMIA-exempt ICT work permit since Feb 2019 and I received a 3 year work permit so I have quite some time left on my permit, but a good opportunity came up and I'm trying to switch teams within my company. The company's telling me I can't switch teams for another 3-4 months because I would need to submit an amendment to CIC and processing times are around 3-4 months right now. I do have a pending PR application (AOR - Mar 31), so I was wondering if there is any other way I can expedite this process. Could I submit an application for a BOWP for example? I know my current work permit isn't expiring in 4 months or less but isn't it similar to expiring if I'm trying to switch jobs because my current work permit will no longer be relevant?

Thanks for your help!

 

[canuck78]

Hi Everyone,

Hoping someone can share some insight or has had a similar experience here.

I've been working in Canada with an LMIA-exempt ICT work permit since Feb 2019 and I received a 3 year work permit so I have quite some time left on my permit, but a good opportunity came up and I'm trying to switch teams within my company. The company's telling me I can't switch teams for another 3-4 months because I would need to submit an amendment to CIC and processing times are around 3-4 months right now. I do have a pending PR application (AOR - Mar 31), so I was wondering if there is any other way I can expedite this process. Could I submit an application for a BOWP for example? I know my current work permit isn't expiring in 4 months or less but isn't it similar to expiring if I'm trying to switch jobs because my current work permit will no longer be relevant?

Thanks for your help!

No you can't apply for a BOWP.

 

[scylla]

Hi Everyone,

Hoping someone can share some insight or has had a similar experience here.

I've been working in Canada with an LMIA-exempt ICT work permit since Feb 2019 and I received a 3 year work permit so I have quite some time left on my permit, but a good opportunity came up and I'm trying to switch teams within my company. The company's telling me I can't switch teams for another 3-4 months because I would need to submit an amendment to CIC and processing times are around 3-4 months right now. I do have a pending PR application (AOR - Mar 31), so I was wondering if there is any other way I can expedite this process. Could I submit an application for a BOWP for example? I know my current work permit isn't expiring in 4 months or less but isn't it similar to expiring if I'm trying to switch jobs because my current work permit will no longer be relevant?

Thanks for your help!

You can try submitting the BOWP and see if it's approved. Hard to say if it will be or not since you don't quite meet the criteria.

However submitting the BOWP application won't make things any faster. You won't be able to switch jobs until you know if the BOWP has been approved or refused (i.e. submitting the BOWP application will not allow you to change jobs - you won't be able to move to your new job until the BOWP is approved and you hold an open work permit.). Right now the processing times of BOWPs is pretty long due to COVID-19.

Your company should move ahead with amending your work permit. That will likely end up being fastest even if you have to wait 3-4 months.

 

[madrilena]

You can try submitting the BOWP and see if it's approved. Hard to say if it will be or not since you don't quite meet the criteria.

However submitting the BOWP application won't make things any faster. You won't be able to switch jobs until you know if the BOWP has been approved or refused (i.e. submitting the BOWP application will not allow you to change jobs - you won't be able to move to your new job until the BOWP is approved and you hold an open work permit.). Right now the processing times of BOWPs is pretty long due to COVID-19.

Your company should move ahead with amending your work permit. That will likely end up being fastest even if you have to wait 3-4 months.

Ah seems like COVID's really thrown a curveball to all these permits. Would waiting for my PR be the most reasonable at this point since technically it should get approved around Sep 30th?

 

[scylla]

Ah seems like COVID's really thrown a curveball to all these permits. Would waiting for my PR be the most reasonable at this point since technically it should get approved around Sep 30th?

Is that with a six month processing time calculation? When did you submit your application?

I would not be expecting that your EE application will be processed within six months. IRCC has specifically communicated that processing is going to take longer than six months due to COVID-19. We really aren't seeing anyone get through in six months right now and I expect this is going to last for a while.

Ultimately your call what you do...

 

[Austin Eze J]

Hello Everyone,
Please, can any one be kind enough to help a brother with a job offer. I have been applying for Canadian job over six months now and all to no avail. If there is any agent here that can give offer letter and LMIA to foreign workers please, I am ready to pay provided it is a genuine one. I am a seasoned civil engineer and am ready to take up any job in construction field or any other field. Please link me up with an agent or possibly help out if you can. I can be contacted through princeaustinj1@gmail.com . Thanks

 

[scylla]

Hello Everyone,
Please, can any one be kind enough to help a brother with a job offer. I have been applying for Canadian job over six months now and all to no avail. If there is any agent here that can give offer letter and LMIA to foreign workers please, I am ready to pay provided it is a genuine one. I am a seasoned civil engineer and am ready to take up any job in construction field or any other field. Please link me up with an agent or possibly help out if you can. I can be contacted through

I would recommend that you forget about finding a job in Canada. There are no jobs or employers on this forum. Also recommend you edit the post above to remove your email address. All this is going to do is attract scammers. Any job offer through an agent in exchange for money is going to be fake. Be very careful.

You should assume that it will not be possible to secure a valid job offer. In order to hire you, an employer has to go through the LMIA process which is very long and expensive with no guarantee of approval. With COVID-19 job losses, it will now be even harder to get an LMIA approved.

If you want to move to Canada, focus instead on applying to immigrate through an economic immigration stream like Express Entry. Forget about looking for a job.

 

[madrilena]

Is that with a six month processing time calculation? When did you submit your application?

I would not be expecting that your EE application will be processed within six months. IRCC has specifically communicated that processing is going to take longer than six months due to COVID-19. We really aren't seeing anyone get through in six months right now and I expect this is going to last for a while.

Ultimately your call what you do...

Hey scylla,

Thanks for your insight on this matter. Really appreciate your response. I accidentally found this Public Policy exemption and am now wondering if I'll be eligible for it. Does this sound like I can make use of this exemption? I think I fit into the category of currently residing in Canada with a work permit via the International Mobility trying to change my job title.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/service-delivery/coronavirus/temporary-residence/work-permit/changing-employment.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/visitors-foreign-workers-students.html#change

I will be reaching out to my employer as well to see if this might be an option.