Canadian Visa help?
Discussion
Does anyone know their way around the Canadian visa system? Or know someone who does?
My daughter has been offered a one year job in Canada working in the research department of a chemical company. This is part of her Masters from a major UK university (she spends one year in industry). The role is paid. The job starts in July.
She needs a one year work visa. The company suggested that she apply for a one year "International Experience Canada" visa. This is designed for young people who want to spend one year in Canada working their way around. It would have been perfect. However, the IEC visas are limited to c5,000pa, allocated in three tranches of c1600 each. When my daughter was offered the job, there was only one tranche left. Literally, the minute the final tranche was opened, my daughter began filling in the documentation. 20 minutes later, she hit "submit". That was too late. These are now all gone for next year. This is no longer an option.
The company does not want to apply for a regular work visa for my daughter, as it involves advertising the role in Canada and getting legal opinions that my daughter is the only person that can do the role (she is admittedly one of very few who could). I think they offer the role as a favour to the university here, hence the reluctance.
I have had a nose around the Canadian government websites.
A couple of options stuck out but neither was clear-cut.
One was a "business visitor" that seems to be for a person from an educational institution to work in Canada. The role must be research based (it is) but not paid (doesn't fit). I guess we could give here a living allowance and ask the firm to rent her accommodation. Not sure they will go for this. Ideally, I'd like to know if this was a runner before asking them.
One was for overseas students to work in Canada as part of their course but that appears to be for those overseas students studying at a Canadian university (which my daughter isn't).
Anyone out there with some knowledge - or know someone reputable to advise (lots of scams out there, apparently)?
My daughter has been offered a one year job in Canada working in the research department of a chemical company. This is part of her Masters from a major UK university (she spends one year in industry). The role is paid. The job starts in July.
She needs a one year work visa. The company suggested that she apply for a one year "International Experience Canada" visa. This is designed for young people who want to spend one year in Canada working their way around. It would have been perfect. However, the IEC visas are limited to c5,000pa, allocated in three tranches of c1600 each. When my daughter was offered the job, there was only one tranche left. Literally, the minute the final tranche was opened, my daughter began filling in the documentation. 20 minutes later, she hit "submit". That was too late. These are now all gone for next year. This is no longer an option.
The company does not want to apply for a regular work visa for my daughter, as it involves advertising the role in Canada and getting legal opinions that my daughter is the only person that can do the role (she is admittedly one of very few who could). I think they offer the role as a favour to the university here, hence the reluctance.
I have had a nose around the Canadian government websites.
A couple of options stuck out but neither was clear-cut.
One was a "business visitor" that seems to be for a person from an educational institution to work in Canada. The role must be research based (it is) but not paid (doesn't fit). I guess we could give here a living allowance and ask the firm to rent her accommodation. Not sure they will go for this. Ideally, I'd like to know if this was a runner before asking them.
One was for overseas students to work in Canada as part of their course but that appears to be for those overseas students studying at a Canadian university (which my daughter isn't).
Anyone out there with some knowledge - or know someone reputable to advise (lots of scams out there, apparently)?
Which university is it?
-edit-
I'm no expert on this but it looks like the International Experience Canada visa was the one to get unfortunately. As you've found the employer has to go through considerable expense and effort to obtain a Labor Market Opinion to get a work permit.
I ask which university because if your daughter's university has an exchange agreement with a Canadian university (not necessarily for her course) then it might be possible to have it arranged through that if they have already got something set up. It doesn't look especially hopeful though.
-edit-
I'm no expert on this but it looks like the International Experience Canada visa was the one to get unfortunately. As you've found the employer has to go through considerable expense and effort to obtain a Labor Market Opinion to get a work permit.
I ask which university because if your daughter's university has an exchange agreement with a Canadian university (not necessarily for her course) then it might be possible to have it arranged through that if they have already got something set up. It doesn't look especially hopeful though.
Edited by davepoth on Monday 21st April 13:29
Ok, these are the guidelines that Immigration Canada use themselves to determine eligibility:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/...
And a quick reference guide to the above (more useful initially):
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/...
The labour thing that the company want to avoid is the HRSD LMO (labour market opinion), see the column in FW02. So you want to enter under a scheme that lists this as 'exempt'.
From the top of my head, she could enter under maybe the following categories:
Business Visitors
Exotic/Erotic Dancers (I kid!)
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (I entered under this as a professional)
Professionals
Students
Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP)
But there are dozens of categories so check them all.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/...
And a quick reference guide to the above (more useful initially):
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/fw/...
The labour thing that the company want to avoid is the HRSD LMO (labour market opinion), see the column in FW02. So you want to enter under a scheme that lists this as 'exempt'.
From the top of my head, she could enter under maybe the following categories:
Business Visitors
Exotic/Erotic Dancers (I kid!)
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) (I entered under this as a professional)
Professionals
Students
Student Work Abroad Program (SWAP)
But there are dozens of categories so check them all.
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