PREPARING MY SETTLEMENT
Expert Advices
Immigrating to a new country, whether alone or with family, is a life-changing project that requires several months of preparation before the big departure. To help you best anticipate your arrival in Canada, follow the wise advice of our immigration experts.
Whatever your project in Canada, our team supports you at every step of the process. We work with you to determine the best immigration path, tailored to your profile and the available programs.
Immigration Guidance
Regardless of the type of status you wish to obtain, we provide you with some best practices to follow.
Do not rush. Ensure you have obtained your work permit or other status before quitting your current job, selling your house, or your car.
Always ensure that your passport and those of your family members are valid before starting any procedures. A work permit, or any other status, cannot extend beyond the expiration date of your passport.
Avoid entering Canada as a visitor to request an immigration status once you are there. It is best to complete all your procedures remotely from your home country.
Always be honest with immigration authorities; providing false information to increase your chances of obtaining a work permit or other status is very risky.
Always keep copies of the records and information you have provided to immigration authorities.
Also consider the status of your loved ones: spouse and accompanying children, to ensure that your family can accompany you to Canada.
Understanding work permits
Unless you are a permanent resident, you must have a work permit, commonly known as a ‘work visa,’ to work in Canada. There are very few exceptions… these are so limited that you should consult an immigration professional before accepting any employment in Canada without a permit. Generally, a work permit is required even for a trial period.
Unless you are a permanent resident, you must have a work permit, commonly known as a 'work visa,' to work in Canada. There are very few exceptions… these are so limited that you should consult an immigration professional before accepting any employment in Canada without a permit. Generally, a work permit is required even for a trial period.
Who is responsible for submitting the work permit application?
You are responsible for submitting your work permit application, or to the authorized professional you appoint on your behalf (such as an immigration lawyer).
Most of the time, the application will be submitted online. Before you proceed with your work permit application, your employer will provide you with a positive or neutral LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) and, if applicable, the CAQ (Certificate of Acceptance of Quebec) for the province of Quebec. Or alternatively, they will give you the job offer number generated after submitting their offer via the IRCC Employer Portal.
Immetis professionals are authorized to represent you and submit work permit applications on a daily basis.
Processing times vary significantly based on several factors such as age, nationality, the work permit program used, and the job offered in Canada.
While some permits can be issued directly at the border, processing times generally range from two to six months. For instance, the processing time is 2 months for a Young Professional Permit and 6 months for a work permit subject to a standard LMIA. However, some IT professionals have managed to obtain a permit in just 3-4 weeks.
It is crucial to clearly define your project before starting any immigration process and to anticipate these delays in order to choose the most suitable immigration program
Once you choose Immétis to represent you, we begin by thoroughly examining your situation to collaboratively determine the immigration program that best aligns with your life project.
The primary factor determining whether your partner/spouse can work in Canada is the type of position you will hold and the duration of your work permit.
Based on the skill level of your position as defined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC) and if your work permit is issued for a validity period of at least sixteen months at the time of application, your partner may be eligible for an open work permit, allowing them to work in Canada for the duration of your work permit.
The worker must hold a job in TEER category 0 or 1, or in TEER category 2 or 3 if the profession is on the list of in-demand occupations.
Exception: Spouses or common-law partners of workers covered by free trade agreements and those in the process of obtaining permanent residency are not affected by these changes.
The second factor is your relationship with your partner. You must be married or in a common-law relationship for them to be eligible for an open work permit.¸
Good to know: Civil partnerships (Civil Solidarity Pact or known as PACS – Pacte Civil de Solidarité in French) is not recognized as proof of marital union in Canada. If you are not married to your partner, you must provide evidence that you are in a common-law relationship, meaning you have lived together for more than 12 consecutive months.
As a foreign employee, you will have the same rights and responsibilities as a Canadian employee with respect to your employer. No more, no less.
This means that if your employer terminates your employment contract or if you choose to resign, you will no longer be able to work in Canada unless you obtain a new permit with another employer. This also applies if you wish to change employers.
It is generally not recommended to come to Canada to wait for your work permit.
Immigration officers may be hesitant to let you enter the country if you have a pending permit application, fearing that you might start working illegally before receiving your permit.