So we're ready to submit our work permit applications - a month ago the average processing time was 5 weeks....I've just checked and it's jumped to 28 weeks??!!! How can this happen in such a short space of time.

This is devastating and a potential game changer

Any ideas??

The website states they are processing apps for essential occupations. In addition to that, the processing time is apparently based on historical data, specifically they are measured based on how long it took to process 80% of applications in the past.
Thus in the past for the period where you last checked it could have been 5 weeks, and now based on historical data it's 28 weeks, but might not be that long, it's very difficult to say.

There will be a bit of a backlog now as there always is this time of year - summer really skews the average data due to less staff to process applications, coupled with a much higher application rate for things like the student visas for the new school year, visitor visas for summer holidays etc. It then goes back down again in the New Year usually.

So you have picked the worst time unfortunately, but remember that 28 weeks is average process times and hopefully that average will start to come down now.

Good luck.

Thank you, that is a little reassuring

We had our biometrics appointment yesterday, so now it's just a waiting game.....

Have you thought about applying at POE? This may of course be moot if you have already submitted your application. It’s a scary one, but that’s what we did as my other half had a LMIA approved job offer and they wanted him asap do advised applying at the border. We first chatted with an immigration consultant (not necessary in hindsight) who advised what paperwork to take and what type of questions could be asked, and went for it.

Landed in Calgary and nervously went to immigration. Was insanely simple. Had a folder of everything we thought we might be asked for and left it with the border agent. Called forward for biometrics, sent to pay, permit printed and sent on our way with some helpful advice. Done and dusted within half an hour.

I appreciate this may not always be the case and it was quiet when we were there, but after being so worried about it, there was such relief that it was so straight forward.

Anyway whatever you have decided, best of luck.

Not possible for the OP unfortunately as they’re applying under the AIP.

HTH.

Ah ok, thanks for that Christmas.

Thank you so much but, yes, unfortunately I looked into this a while ago and discovered it's not permitted under AIP

For anyone else in the same position, and is concerned about the astronomically long processing time quoted online for work permits.......hang on in there.

When we applied at the end of October it was stating 28 weeks - completely demoralising.

Well, we got the letters of approval today - just 7 weeks after we applied!!!

Can't quite believe it

Heyyy,

My husband has a LMIA approved job offer and due to the very tight turnaround required we're also hoping to sort this at the border.

Would you please mind sharing the list of documents you had ready for immigration? Were going to make a start collating them this week and want to make sure we don't miss anything - we have the immigration nerves 😬 praying our experience is as good as yours was!!

Yeah sure and congratulations on your husband’s job offer, where are you guys headed?

So I now believe we went a bit overboard with paperwork, but thought it best to have too much rather than too little.

You will need a copy of the named LMIA, a copy of the job offer and evidence of meeting the requirements which match the NOK code for the role (we went with a letter from a previous employer confirming his experience in the skills described for he relevant code).

We each got up to date ACRO police certificates, although I now understand that’s not required, but we wanted to cover all potential bases. He has a record but is admissible as so long ago (declared everything) and got the eTA. Due to this we wanted to have all police and court paperwork in the pack just in case there was any questioning on this (there wasn’t).

As we are not married, we gathered evidence of long term relationship (mortgage statements, joint accounts, kids birth certificates). But if you’re married, your marriage certificate is sufficient.

I think that was everything. We were not asked for any proof of funds although could have provided if necessary.

I have no idea what all was looked at, as after explaining we were applying for work permits, the border guard said just to leave the holder of stuff with him and take a seat. Was only called forward again for biometrics, then he walked past and said he was going go to print the permit and it was all good. Then payment was taken, permit handed over and we went on our way. I truly believe it was 30 mins max all in….but there was no queue.

Let me know if you have any other questions as happy to help if I can. Best of luck. 😊

My experience was similar to JellyBellyBean
It was not as stressful and scary at border control as some people's experiences.
I had employer employment letter and a letter/pack from my employer's lawyer about my skills. He also included references from others about my skills.
It was a quick-ish process; payment' can't remember doing Bio but I'm guessing that I'd done it.

My work permit came through much quicker than anticipated too!

I agree with RachRig about the relief experienced after receiving the Work Permit. Not sure why it's portrayed as so scary!
I also took my Positive LMIA with my paperwork