Hi all

Hippy New Year May all of your Canadian dreams come true.

This may be a simple question and there may be a simple answer.

Context: In the PR system, need a job offer for points. Applying to all the relevant roles like a loon (if birds can apply for jobs. Which I'm not sure if they can. But you know what I mean)

I keep coming up against the lovely little check box on job application forms "Are you legally entitled to work in Canada?"

Technically: no
In reality: NOT YET. GIVE ME A JOB AND I'LL BE ENTITLED! I'LL GET A TWP! LIFE WILL BE GOOD! (don't make me beg. I'll beg)

I cover the TWP issue in my cover letter and, usually, in the free text box that's often near the "Are you entitled...." question, setting out clearly that if I get a job offer, I'll be able to get the entitlement.

It's a catch-22, or at least it feels like it.

Aside from making great personal connections (which I'm trying to do as well), do you have any advice for tackling that pesky check box?

I don't want to be pulled out of the system on a technicality (if you see what I mean) but don't feel comfortable in saying 'Yes' then having to explain it elsewhere.

Thanks in advance

Just checking, but in your covering letter you are mentioning the LMIA as well? Just the job offer won't get you a work permit!

I think the best advice is the usual - get out there and knock on doors. Follow the job hunting advice in the Wiki and plan a trip.

It might also be mentioning to the forum what kind of jobs you're after, just in case anybody has any occupation specific advice for you.

Good luck.

Thanks Christmas - I think that we may have to take a trip over again this year if we can... The job hunting Wiki is really useful

I haven't specifically mentioned LMIA yet as the places I've applied to have been ones which already talk about international placements and so on. I'll write it in...

In case anyone out there is watching: I am a marketing professional with substantial experience in designing and delivering communications strategies specifically in the public sectors. I've got 8 years of senior leadership experience, substantial financial management experience, a lot of crisis management experience and have been involved in globally recognised behaviour change campaigns.
Basically - I use words & ideas to make change happen
And I want to take this to Toronto, ideally to grow social-impact organizations into well-known, well-supported successful enterprises.

How will you be able to be legally entitled to work in Canada if you get a job offer?

That Q means are you a Canadian Citizen, Registered Indian, PR or do you have an open work permit.

As well, as Christmas says, you need to be clear as to what constitutes a qualifying job offer for Express Entry points.

Advertisements stating 'legally entitled to work in Canada' are often used as the employer does not want overseas applications, or to go through the process of hiring foreign workers. We do the same for many positions when there is adequate supply of labour within Canada.

Check yes. Say you get 10 call backs instead of none, but one of them is so keen after talking to you that they don't mind anyways.

If someone did that to me, even if I liked their resume, they would not get a look in. There is a reason this question is asked, not just out of general interest. Lying on a job application is not a way to get ahead.

It would be better to cover ones status in a cover letter and leave that question unanswered then falsify an application.

Thanks for the input everyone

Aviator - I see what you mean about the purpose of the box. And yes, I'm covering in the covering letter rather than saying 'Yes' as I think that's the way forward.

Snowy - LMIA/TWP is my thinking. If I am clear about my status and wow the company at interview (here's hoping), then I would hope that we could demonstrate that the role should have a positive LMIA (afterall, if a Canadian could do it, then they could just give it to a Canadian?)

Heres another view of your situation

Im an employer who has a vacancy and it pays $100,000 per year with 6 weeks paid vacation, relocation, company vehicle, pension and medical benefits etc etc
Im sure I would be getting thousands of applications from all over as opposed to offering a job at $35,000 a year 2 weeks paid vacation, no company car or benefits and no relocation fees.

How long can I keep this vacancy open? Do I need the person yesterday or Im ok for 6 months. I whittle the applications down to a manageable proportion of people I want to interview and several are from overseas who are willing to be interviewed. As a good employer I know with the new Temporary Foreign Workers rules its a lot harder to employ a foreign worker and its gonna cost me $1000 to apply where a LMIA is required and convince ESDC there are no qualified Canadians or PR's of Canada that can do this job or have even applied for it and that I advertised the job correctly as per their rules.

The applicant from overseas go for the interview and impresses the hell out of me about his work skills. I think ok I will try and hire this person and pay the $1,000 for the LMIA. Now the perspective employee has not told me and I never asked them about criminal convictions and lo and behold they have one and not eligible for rehabilitation or could be eligible so what happens next?

Too many if ands and buts all you can do is try.

Or, on the flip side, your role is $35k, its a lower level role so you will be inundated with applicants all with the legal right to work in Canada. At that level, its much harder to get an applicant who is not Canadian, or PR, let alone justify the process and the fee.


Now, if its a $100k job its more likely you can.
Just my two cents.

I agree with this,I truly believe honesty is the best policy. It doesn't reflect well on a person if they can't answer a simple question or will lie.