Are things really so difficult,..?
 

:unsure:

Just a quick question, well kind of. But could you tell me if possible, that applying for one TWP (my partner), and for myself hoping to apply for OWP, our kiddies 9yr and 6yr included, is really as hard and long to wait for as some recents posts have read :confused: ?

Or does it just depend on peoples circumstances/job field ?:unsure:

Over the past couple of weeks, i've read that most people have found the process long winded, and many difficulties along the way, and for some it's taken 3yrs to be issued with a TWP. Is this usual ?:huh:

My partner has a job offer, and so is applying for a TWP after he's finalised a course and so this should be late Oct time. I want to apply for an OWP and my children 9yrs and 6yrs will be attending Elementary school in BC. And so, the process should begin early Nov 2008 from UK.

We're looking to move over at the beginning of April 2009.

Is this time unrealistic ?

I've just got no idea,.. sorry :o
Thanks x

Re: Are things really so difficult,..?
 

I have NEVER heard of anyone waiting 3 years for a TWP! 6 months is the longest period of time I know about.

If your partner does not need a medical, and once you have the LMO you can apply for his TWP and your OWP (as long as his job allows you to have an OWP) at the Port of Entry, rather than sending all the paperwork off to London.

Re: Are things really so difficult,..?
 

As Amy suggests above, the real issue is getting an LMO. Does your partner need one? If so, has the company applied for it yet?

Re: Are things really so difficult,..?
 

Thanks Amy. :( oh geezzz,.. I think I'm really not finding this straight forward. I keep being told a completely different process from the Imigration in London. Why are they confusing me lol !? Are doing this on purpose (they keep hassling me to get a Consultant) :sneaky:. I'm totally confused !! :blink:

Ok - So if we do have the info of the job offer, LMO from his Employer and OWP (hopefully), there's no need to send any doc's into London, just proof of those necessary documents ?

I'm sorry to sound dumb, but I'm completely new to all this and I'm finding it all abit confusing and worrying.:(

Bazz - When you say, whether or not the Co has applied for an LMO and whether my partner needs one, how will we know ? Should the Employer know this, or is this something we should find out ourselves ?

To be honest, it's kind of embarrassing talking to my partners (maybe) future boss, as although he is originally from the UK and has employed guys mainly from here too, he never mentions anything at all. It's like getting blood out of stone (sorry to be so straight). Just no info at all :confused:.

How could we find out about the LMO process, and why do some co's ask when others don't ?

My partners going into Plastering/or Stucco Venetian.

Maybe, in the Construction side to things, they're more lenient ?? Though, can't say it makes us feel any more comfortable :unsure:.

Re: Are things really so difficult,..?
 

My OH is a drywaller...:)

You need to check with the company that wants to employ your OH whether they have applied for the Labour Market Opinion yet. They need to do this ASAP. Once they have done this - it may take a while to come through - and they have sent you your copy of the LMO (get them to fax or e-mail it to you - much quicker than post), you can apply at the Port of Entry.

Your OWP will be applied for at Port of Entry as well (assuming you go in this way). When your Hubby tells them he wants a TWP and hands over his docs they will ask you if you want to apply for a OWP..so say YES PLEASE! It will cost you $150 for his TWP and $150 for yours.

When you apply at POE you will need the job contract, the LMO letter and any certificates etc that show your OH's qualifactions in his line of work. Check out the WIKI for a more detailed list.

Amy

Re: Are things really so difficult,..?
 

Katie76, it goes like this:

• Your husband applies for job.
  
  
• Employer wants to offer him a job, but has to apply for labour market opinion (LMO) first.
  
  
• Employer applies for and receives LMO (this will happen if the employer has advertised the job for the required length of time and has not received an application from a qualified Canadian resident).
  
  
• When employer receives LMO, he supplies a copy of it to your husband.
  
  
• Along with a copy of his prospective employer's LMO, your husband submits his temporary work permit (TWP) application to the Canadian High Commission (CHC) in London.
  
  
• Your husband's occupation on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) is 7284 Plasterers, Drywall Installers and Finishers and Lathers. This is relevant because it puts him at Skill Level B on the NOC Matrix. This means that you're entitled to an SOWP (as are the spouses of people whose occupations belong to Skill Levels 0 and A).
  
  
• If you want a spousal open work permit (SOWP), you should submit your application for one in the same package as your husband's TWP application.
  
  
• It will cost you $150 for each of your work permit applications, so $300 for the two of them together.
  
  
• If everything is in order with your husband's employer's LMO and your work permit applications, CHC London will send you an approval letter.
  
  
• You will fly to Canada and, at your Canadian port of entry (POE), apply for a TWP and an SOWP. If you bring the approval letter from CHC London, the process at the POE is more of a rubber stamp than anything else. The Immigration Officer (IO) at your POE will issue you with a TWP and SOWP.
  
  
• Usually the IO at the POE issues a TWP for the same length of time for which the LMO is valid. The length of time for which your SOWP will be valid, in turn, will depend on the length of time for which your husband's TWP is valid.
  
  
• Some potential employers are more familiar with the immigration process than others.
  
  
• Canadian immigration authorities are not more lenient with people in the construction industry than they are with anyone else. Everyone has to obey the law, and the vast majority of foreigners require permits in order to work in Canada. (There are a very few foreigners who do not require permits to work in Canada, but that information is not applicable to your case.)
  
  
• The only "leniency," if you can call it that, is for Occupations Under Pressure (OUPs). NOC Code #7284 is listed as an OUP in British Columbia, for example. In that time, the length of time for which the employer is required to advertise the job across Canada before he can apply for an LMO is reduced from 3 months to 7 days.

It's a bit more complicated than this, but I felt the above step-by-step list would help you to understand the order in which things needed to happen.

I suggest you also read the Wiki article called Immigration Timeline-Canada.

Oh, I previewed my message before I posted it, and saw that AmyDavid had recommended you just fly to Canada and apply for your TWP and SOWP at your POE, without applying to CHC London first. Yes, it is quicker to do it that way. But one of our immigration experts, Andrew Miller, warns that applying for a TWP at your POE is not without risk. A couple of forum members have had some white knuckle moments when their TWPs were almost not issued at their POEs. But, with that having been said, many forum members have had their TWPs issued this way.

To help you make a more informed decision, I suggest you read these Wiki article called TWP : Where to apply-Canada

Hope that helps.
x

Re: Are things really so difficult,..?
 

Thank you so much Amy and Judy for your time.

Really appreciate it :)

:wub: xx