scottish_laddie

Hi peeps,

am new to this website but have being told its a great place for getting and sharing information hey? am scottish from aberdeen scotland i shall be doing some H2S, Fall rig, first aid and WHMIS training with ENFORM Nisku in May but i would like to enquire if i can apply for work permit after my training or do i need to come back scotland to apply for a work permit? thanks

christmasoompa

Hi, and welcome to BE.

You don't need to 'come back' to Scotland to get a work permit, but you don't actually say where you are at the moment? Wherever it is, you should be able to get a work permit there, as long as you've got a job offer and LMO.

HTH.

scottish_laddie

sorry am still in scotland or do you think i should apply while am in scotland now?because i dont have a job offer or experience in canadian oil and gas. thanks

mandymoochops

Have you thought about what part of the oil and gas industry you would like to go into. what are you trained in?

If you are just coming over to get your tickets in the hope of getting an LMO for any old job - you might be in for a shock.

What profession do you want to get into.

scottish_laddie

drilling in oil and gas am young strong and enthusiastic I understand nothing is easy. is LMO very difficult? i have a positive attitude to life thanks mandymoochops i think am up to the task

mandymoochops

an LMO is an authorisation from the government, that a comapny have to get before they can hire a foreign worker.

To get the LMO said company has to prove there is no Canadian willing or able to do the job.

There are lots of 'young' Canadians full of dreams of becoming rich in the oil sands, so unless you have special skills to convince a company why they should hire you instead of them, you'll be sol.

If you are young why don't you apply for an IEC visa. As without any formal qualifications or specialist trades I can't see how you'd get a job here otherwise.

An IEC visa is a working holiday visa, valid for 12 months and gives you the authorisation to work for anyone.

If you do though, I would suggest you apply quick as there are a limited number of these visas oer year and they run out quick.

You need to do more research because you cannot "just get a work permit" unfortunately.

scottish_laddie

I think i like the IEC option have never heard of that
i really appreciate your input pal your a life saver

mandymoochops

bloody sounds like it. Have you actually booked your courses? I think most last for 2 (maybe 3 years validity) so it might not be worth doing your courses right now until you have secured your IEC visa.

Bear in mind with IEC it is possible to apply from within Canada for a second year - and within that time you might find a way to stay permanently if you like it

scottish_laddie

have booked my courses already but the IEC is even better has it can be renewed just as you have noted i was so worried initially applying for work permit as a visitor but your adviced on a better option is the way tae go

mandymoochops

Note that strictly speaking it can't renewed - but you do have the option to apply for a seond year. As it gets activated when you enter the country, if you are inside Canada for the secod year - you'll just have to cross the border into the States, turn around and activate the new one that way.

Does it say on the IEC website if there are any visas left for this year?

What will you do, come in May and then go home and wait for your IEC visa?

There's lots of drilling comanies around Nisku, and the training centre should be quite busy as its srping break now - but you could try going round to the companies there (Precision Drilling, Akita, Nabors etc) after your courses to see about geting work when you come back. (Thats if you are thinking about working on the drilling rigs).

Most rigs will fire back up at the end of May beginning of june - although there are some pad rigs that work all the way through. It's tough to get onto a pad rig as any that are hiring will take the experienced hands that want to come from other companies.

scottish_laddie

am so looking forward to the training yeah i want to work on the rigs but scared if my lack of experience in oil and gas will affect how soon i get a job or do i stand a better chance with other rigs than 'pad rigs e.g nabors' and it seems the LMO is a serious issue with foreign workers as it might take ages before it comes around thats just my concern almight LMO lol

mandymoochops

someone might be along to confirm otherwise, but I don't believe you would get an LMO for one of the lesser jobs on the rigs (leasehand / roughneck) which is where you would be when you first start.

However with the working holiday visa you don't need the LMO, you already have an open work permit to work for anyone.

scottish_laddie

I'd rather apply as soon as possible b4 my departure cos i dont want no holiday in between after training i want straight into work and get my self sorted on time you have been amazing though though as you well informed

mandymoochops

Thats what comes with being a) on these forums too long and b) married to a Canadian that works in the oil and gas business

Good luck and have fun

mandymoochops

Another thing to note is that people who applied at the beginning of January for the IEC programme have only just got their LOI's (letters of invitation - ie the letter you take with you to Canada so that the border services people can issue you with your visa).

Thats coming close to 3 months for some people. You will be VERY lucky to get yours before you fly out.