iceman4386

Hi Guys
I want to move along with my wife and 2 kids to Canada
Applying for a job and trying to obtain a LMIA is proving very difficult.
I was reading of the different types of work permits and was wondering if the Open Work permit is a valid route in obtaining the permit and look for work in Canada
I will have the necessary funds to support my family and i while looking for work
My wife has an Indian passport and was granted a TRV for the validity of her passport 8yrs+
I understand she can travel to Canada and apply for a job while in Canada as oppose tom me a British born citizen who has to apply for the permit beforehand, is this correct?
Thanking you in advance

iceman4386

An extract from the CIC site

Eligibility requirements if you apply when you enter Canada

You can ask to be allowed to work in Canada when you enter Canada but only if:

• you are from a visa-exempt country,
• you already hold a valid medical certificate, if you need it for your job, or are from a designated country, and either
• your employer has completed all of the steps for your type of work permit, or
• you are applying for an open work permit.

Novocastrian

Only applies to the accompanying spouse of the holder of an LMIA supported job offer in skill levels O, A, or B.

christmasoompa

Sorry, but you can't circumnavigate the requirement for a LMIA (if you could, everyone would do it and there would be no need for LMIA's!). Open work permits are only for those in certain circumstances i.e. spouses of skilled workers, spouses of those on study permits, etc. It doesn't sound as though any of those would apply to you.

No, you've misunderstood - you are allowed to go to Canada to job hunt, that's no problem at all. In fact, it's recommended and the only way most people manage to find a sponsoring employer and LMIA - see the Job Hunting section of the Wiki for more info.

You just can't work until you have a TWP, but you can job hunt no problem.

HTH, good luck.

iceman4386

Thanks for your prompt replies

Chritmasoompa - If i were to go to Canada with my family as visitors and job hunt, Would i be able to apply inside Canada for a TWP with a LMIA? Or would i have to leave and apply from UK?

I also assume my children cant attend school until i have secured a TWP? They are 5 & 2

christmasoompa

You could do that, but there would be several issues with that plan. Firstly, if asked to prove you'll be returning to the UK would you be able to? If you turn up with all your family and worldly possessions, then you may well be refused entry to Canada. Secondly, it could be a total waste of money - waiting 3 or 4 months for a LMIA (more if the employer hasn't advertised properly or got the paperwork ready) without being able to work will cost quite a bit, and if it's refused, then that could all be for nothing. And thirdly, as visitors you wouldn't be eligible for healthcare, so insurance could be pricey for that length of time. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it, I'd suggest you go and job hunt for a couple of weeks, and then return home to sort things out whilst the LMIA is being processed.

Your youngest won't anyway, but for your 5 year old you'll usually need to be on a 'proper' status i.e. TWP.

What do you do/what kind of job are you looking for in Canada? And any particular province in mind?

HTH.

iceman4386

Currently i am a Responsible Person / Supply Chain Manager at a Pharmaceutical company in the UK.

Most of the Pharma companies are in Ontario so this would be my preferred destination

I have applied for numerous jobs from the UK to no avail.

I have visited Canada many times, only came back last week from a wedding in B.C.

Have so many friends and family there (unfortunately not blood related) so finding a job shouldn't be a problem, even if it isnt in the Pharmaceutical field

I would prefer to travel to Canada once with my family and not return to the UK, what are my options?

christmasoompa

The only way to be sure you could do that would be to go with a visa/permit in place already. I assume you've looked in to whether or not you'd qualify for Permanent Residency without a job offer? Is that not an option?

iceman4386

I was only aware of the TWP route, I only had around 370 points for EE.

I wasn't aware that i could apply for PR without a job offer, is this possible whilst in Canada with my family, what are the requirements?

christmasoompa

Ah, ok. EE is a PR application, but 370 points won't be enough.

You could if you had enough points under EE, or some other way to PR i.e. family sponsorship, investment, etc. But it doesn't sound as though you have a route other than via a job offer.

Just to double check, did you take the eligibility test on the CIC website and what did it say? https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...814.1504684497

And which family members do you have out there and which province(s) are they in? Lastly, how old are you both?

iceman4386

Thank you so much for your prompt replies and advice

The eligibility test said i could apply under Foreign Worker - IMP (No visitor visa rqd) - This was me choosing the option that i had a valid job offer with a LMIA.

The eligibility test when i chose that i had no job offer was you are not eligible

Would i be able to apply for a work permit with a LMIA whilst in Canada? - I should have around $60,000 CAD available for the period i am looking for work

Is it a 3-4 month processing time if i am able to able inside Canada?

christmasoompa

OK, so job offer definitely required and TWP definitely the way to go then!

It's still the same processing time no matter where you apply from. Personally, I wouldn't do what you are planning with a family in tow, but your call. Just think about proving you can return to the UK, showing you are genuine visitors, what you'll do if you can't find a job from a sponsoring employer (quite likely without specialist skills unfortunately), and what you'll do if your LMIA application is refused (about a third of them are).

What does your wife do, does she have a job that's more likely to lead to sponsorship by any chance? And have you checked her CRS score as well in case she may score enough? And again - which relatives/where, and how old are you both?

iceman4386

Ummmm, not great news.

Situation isnt good at home, family politics etc (joys if living in a extended family household) so need to move out ASAP and wont be returning

Dont have any annual leave left to do a recee

My wife is a housewife but used to work in Subway, the sandwich place so i dont think she would be skilled enough to get a TWP.

iceman4386

sorry, we are both 32 yrs old

Wifes dads brother lives in Vancouver, BC, does that count as a blood relative?

Thing is i would rather stay away from asking him for a sponsorship, more family politics

christmasoompa

Ah, I see. In which case I definitely wouldn't try what you're proposing, you won't have proof of anywhere to return to when asked at immigration and it will be fairly obviously you're trying to stay in Canada without the relevant permit. You don't want to risk being refused entry (or even worse, an exclusion order). Why not just use some of your £60k to rent somewhere whilst you continue to job hunt in Canada? And plan a trip for January (or whenever your annual leave resets) so that you can try and and find a sponsoring employer in person. Have a good read of the Wiki about Job Hunting and how to go about it, you may find phone calls result in something.

You've not by any chance got Irish citizenship have you?

OK, that's no good - too far removed and the wrong province. Some (i.e. MB) an uncle would be of use, but not a great uncle in BC unfortunately.

One other possible idea, would a study permit be of any interest to your wife? Not sure why qualifications she's got, but has she ever fancied studying for a degree/masters maybe? That would get you an open work permit and you could also be out there for when the new academic year starts in a month or two. You would need to be prepared to spend a lot, but it would get you over there with an open work permit so that you could then get your EE points up with some Canadian work experience. Just an idea anyway.

Good luck.