Hi All

I`m hoping someone out there will be able to give me some advice.

We`ve been in BC since Oct 2008 and 6 weeks ago i was laid off from my job. I found another one within a week but the LMO was turned down. So now i don`t know what to do. My spouse is working with an open work visa which was secured on the back of my original one, is hers still valid. would i be able to get an open one on the back of hers, or will i have to keep trying to get an employer to wait for an LMO answer with no positive guarantee.

Any advice would be very much appreciated as we are now at our wits end, and would really like to stay here and not be forced to go back to the UK

Martin

You will have to keep looking for a job with an LMO I'm afraid. What do you do for a living? How long is your wife's WP for? Have you got your PR app in?

My wifes work permit is valid for 3 years from Oct 2008. I`m a carpenter by trade, but came over as a project manager. No i haven`t put the PR app in yet was going to apply under Canadian Experience Class, but now don`t know what to do as we`ve only got her wage coming in and EI for me

You could do a fast track application using her job as the main applicant if she is on the list...............has the employer that had the LMO rejected tried again as they can do so?

how does the fast track work (please excuse my ignorance). She is a medical receptionist. Would i be able to apply through the skilled worker as i have the job offer?

Can apply for fast track with a job offer but it will take 6 months ish

Note if she has a letter from her employer backing her, the job doesn't have to be on the "list"....

can you point me in the direction of the fast track application please and thanks for your help so far

Fast track doesn't exist anymore as they're all supposed to be fast (depends on your concept of fast I guess, lol).

What I'm not clear about is whether you're ok to apply with her OWP and offer of continued employment - hopefully one of the immigration experts on here will chip in...

The rules say :-

Thing is, the permit didn't need HRSDC approval because it was an open one - not sure if this qualifies or not.... Definitely need an expert opinion on this one...

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigra...employment.asp

Hi Mitch,
you seem to be in the same position as us, we came over in Oct 2008,OH is carpenter and has been laid off. I have SOWP and am working as an advertising consultant. The only difference is my OH doesnt get EI because he hasnt accumulated enough hours to be qualify.I totally understand where your coming from and how helpless you feel.

Just have a look on the CIC website which has all the info you need, including some very good guides you can download.

If your wife can get her employers to apply for an AEO for her, and meets the other criteria (i.e. minimum points, passes the medical, no criminal record etc) then she could apply as a Skilled Worker and you'd both have PR in 6-12 months.

Alternatively, she could look at your province's PNP program.

And yes, her SOWP is still valid even if you (the original TWP holder) have lost your job so don't worry about that.

Hope that helps, good luck.

Thanks for the advice we will look into it and i will be calling about the PNP today. Would i still need an LMO if we get nominated as it says that they would send a letter to back up my work permit request

Also please explain AEO thanks

Yes, you need either a LMO or AEO to show the job offer has been approved by HRSDC. AEO = Arranged Employment Option (sorry, just assumed you'd have read the thread for Newbies to the Forum which included a link to the Wiki and abbreviations page in it).