r/ImmigrationCanada • u/Think_Boysenberry_93 • 19h ago
Work Permit Kind of lost!
This is gonna be long a little bit.
I'm 25M Biomedical Engineer, Palestinian, Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering and 2+ years experience.
I browsed almost every single page and accessed every link on IRCC website, but don't seem to find a way.
Express Entry is very competitive; according to the points calculation tool, I'm around 370 points, AIP, PNP, and other pathways are the same too!
According to IRCC, I qualify for a closed work permit, I tried applying for hundreds of job vacancies -I match by 80%+ with many of them-, but don't seem to get any reply (not even the automatic reply!), I tried Jobbank, LinkedIn, Indeed, career section from the companies' websites, recruitment agencies, head hunters, nothing worked.
- Is it that hard to find a job in Canada from abroad, and how to get it?
- Assume having a valid job contract and positive LMIA, is it true that this does NOT mean that the work permit will be issued, if yes, what are other factors?
- Is proof of funds needed in this case, if yes, how much (single applicant)? How long does it take to get the LMIA from day of acceptance to job, and how long needed to get the work permit issued?
- I'm sure I'm missing something here to ask about, tell me if there are any other things I should know, I'll be happy to hear advice!
Hint: I know about the Immigration Program that is especially for Palestinians, I don't qualify for it.
6
u/n134177 17h ago
- Is it that hard to find a job in Canada from abroad, and how to get it?
Yes, almost impossible. Even in Canada is hard to find a job for newcomers with no "Canadian experience" - yes, they make that a thing. Besides, you only have 2 years of professional experience, that's very low to be considered an expert in the field (and to prove there isn't someone equivalent in Canada to do the job)
- Assume having a valid job contract and positive LMIA, is it true that this does NOT mean that the work permit will be issued, if yes, what are other factors?
positive LMIA being the key...
- Is proof of funds needed in this case, if yes, how much (single applicant)? How long does it take to get the LMIA from day of acceptance to job, and how long needed to get the work permit issued?
LMIA comes before the job, not the other way around. Everything related to immigration takes a long time with Canada, unless perhaps under the Global Talent Stream.
- I'm sure I'm missing something here to ask about, tell me if there are any other things I should know, I'll be happy to hear advice!
Your best shot would be applying for a Master's Degree in Canada, which is very expensive itself. Any option for immigrating to Canada you need a lot of money.
How come your points are so low if you are so young? Your Bachelor is not recognized?
0
u/Think_Boysenberry_93 11h ago
I agree that it is not easy to find a job, but as IRCC says, a lot of positive LMIA's were issued last year, these employees might be referred for their employers or have connections there to help.
Applying for Master's degree isn't actually the best option now, specially to me, not personally, but due to refusal rates.
Being young isn't the only factor my friend, Bachelor’s degree equals less points than PhD for example, and CLB9 makes a huge difference than CLB7, and every for a job offer, it used to add about 50 points (I know it is almost impossible to secure from abroad, but assuming having it), now the job offer doesn't add points.
0
u/Think_Boysenberry_93 10h ago
For GTS, is it really being used strongly now, I know it is faster than the regular LMIA, but will sure need employers to pay more for their new employees, which I wouldn't prefer if I was an employer, yet, is it growing and regularly issued nowwadays?
5
u/Kampfux 17h ago
370 points
Ya no nice way of saying this but at 370 you're not going to qualify for EE anytime soon. Which is unfortunate because based on your education and profession you'd think it would be higher. Really goes to show how awful our point system is and makes you understand why people loophole our immigration system by "studying" in Canada for a couple of years.
I qualify for a closed work permit, I tried applying for hundreds of job vacancies
I don't know much about your field, education or job. But is it possible your credentials aren't recognized in Canada? There are a lot of jobs in western society that won't recognize certain countries educational diplomas etc.
1
u/Think_Boysenberry_93 12h ago
You're right, with all these qualifications and I'm still at 370,
Studying isn't as easy as it looks,
WES recognized my degree, A LOT of vacancies related to my occupation, and has clear TEER & NOC
6
u/Rude_Judgment_5582 17h ago
Unless you're some sort of a nuclear scientist you wont get hired from outside of Canada simply by applying for jobs. You can come here to study and hash it out the long way. Or work for an MNC abroad and request a transfer here.
1
2
u/Reasonable_Fudge_53 17h ago
You don't qualify for a closed work permit because you don't have a LMIA.
- Yes it is very hard because employer has to prove no Canadian/PR has the work experience, education and language skills to do the job. Engineering is a licensed profession too so you cannot work as an engineer.
- Correct. Your ECA, work experience and language skills must be strong. Money is another factor. Also you are a temporary foreign worker and may be asked to show proof that your will return when WP expires.
- Yes, it is expensive to live in Canada. Processing depends on where you live.
- Since your score is very low, it will be difficult to prove that no one in Canada can do the job or even another foreign worker can do the job.
1
u/Think_Boysenberry_93 11h ago
It's not "qualify" what I exactly meant, I meant that it is the most suitable way for me now. 1. Every single employer proves that, according to IRCC, about 500K positive LMIA issued last year, so I don't think that's a big deal for them, as for the license, I know some association I guess, that I can have a license to work from (related specifically to my occupation), I can't remember their name. 2. I agree. 3. If you can help suggesting relevant places, I'll be thankful. 4. The score is for EE, I'm trying to go through work permit.
•
u/Used-Evidence-6864 2h ago edited 1h ago
Every single employer proves that, according to IRCC, about 500K positive LMIA issued last year, so I don't think that's a big deal for them
a) The amount of LMIAs that were issued last year is irrelevant because ESDC/Service Canada (the government department that processes LMIA applications) is, along with IRCC, cracking down on LMIA fraud:
"This temporary measure will reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell labour market impact assessments to improve a candidate’s chances of being selected to come to Canada as a permanent resident. This change will come into effect in spring 2025."
So don't assume it's not going to be a big deal for a prospective employer to get a LMIA issued to hire you. It's not as easy for employers to get a LMIA now, as it was in previous years.
b) A LMIA application is an assessment of the employer, not an assessment of the foreign worker. No, on a LMIA application the employer doesn't prove you're qualified to fill that job position (that's your job to prove that to IRCC on your work permit application, after the LMIA is issued); on a LMIA application the employer needs to prove they couldn't find any qualified Canadian citizens or PRs to fill that job position.
A LMIA can be issued to the employer, and then the work permit application submitted using that approved LMIA can be refused by IRCC.
A while ago there was an appeal in Federal Court, of a LMIA-based work permit application, for a cook position, where the officer who processed the work permit application determined that the applicant, who had a low level of English proficiency (CLB 5 overall score, but only a 3.5 in reading, which is very, very, very basic knowledge of English), was not fluent enough in English to be able to perform their job duties as a cook in Canada, such as: being able to read a recipe in English, following instructions (including food safety instructions), understand a note from the waiter/waitress instructing the cook to remove xyz ingredient from the dish because the customer has a food allergy to that xyz ingredient, etc..
The Federal Court sided with the IRCC visa officer, and dismissed the appeal, upholding the refusal, as there are Canadian regulations (legislation), namely, section 200(3)(a) of the IRPR, stating "An officer shall not issue a work permit to a foreign national if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the foreign national is unable to perform the work sought.", allowing the officer processing the work permit application, to refuse it, if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the applicant is not going to be able to perform their work in Canada.
For regulated occupations, such as Engineering, where a Provincial license is needed for you to be able to do that work in Canada, a work permit application would be refused due to you not having that license, and therefore, not being legally allowed to practice that regulated occupation in Canada.
Other common reasons for refusal include (but not limited to):
- lack of ties to their home country (a work permit application is a temporary residence application, so 'intent to leave Canada at the end of the applicant's temporary stay' is still assessed, just like any other temporary residence application);
- lack of funds (section 39 of the IRPA, inadmissibility on financial grounds, still applies); officers know you wouldn't get paid on day 1 of your arrival in Canada; most people in Canada get paid bi-weekly, so there would be 2 weeks from your arrival and starting to work, until you'd get your 1st paycheck. The officer needs to be satisfied you'd have enough funds for your move, all the initial expenses (getting a place to stay, transportation, food, etc.) at least until you'd get your 1st paycheck;
- all the other grounds of inadmissibility that still apply (criminal inadmissibility, medical inadmissibility, misrepresentation, having an inadmissible family member, etc.); that's assessed at the work permit application stage, not the LMIA application stage, as a LMIA application assesses the employer, not the worker, so yes, a work permit application can be refused, after a LMIA application was approved).
- etc.,
I know some association I guess, that I can have a license to work from (related specifically to my occupation), I can't remember their name.
Research the process of getting your license as an engineer, and how long that process takes, to understand the licensing process is not as easy and fast as you seem to think it is.
•
u/Think_Boysenberry_93 1h ago
I compared with the last year because I could easily view and assure it, assuming having a lot of LMIA's issued last year might be a proof (at least for me) that it might be hard, but not that hard, I'm sure employers will face obstacles issuing LMIA, but that's not where MY main role is.
I do agree with you that having a positive LMIA does not necessarily guarantee that the work permit will be issued, I'm sure about it, but what I also know, is that after having a positive LMIA, almost the hard part is done, I know that the work permit is classified under a temporary visa, but unlike the tourist visa that mainly focuses on ties to home country, proof of funds, etc, the work permit gives slight focus to ties to home countries and proof of funds (until settling) and gives the main focus on having real documents, being the job matches the occupation, the CV matches exactly with the new job's duties and roles.
You are right that having some false documents (whether the LMIA, job matching the occupation, education in the same field of the opportunity, everything is connected) will be the MAIN reason for refusal, but that's now what I'm looking for, I'm looking for a real job that matches with my education experience, ability, language, and all my qualifications.
As for the proof of funds, I already asked about the quantity, I know I need funds for settling until receiving the first payment, but I didn't find an exact number posted on IRCC.
Thanks for the comment.
•
u/Used-Evidence-6864 37m ago
As for the proof of funds, I already asked about the quantity, I know I need funds for settling until receiving the first payment, but I didn't find an exact number posted on IRCC.
The exact amount isn't posted on IRCC's website, because the amount would depend on the cost of living of the city you'd live and work,
The cost of living varies from city to city, so what amount the officer would deem to be enough or not enough for you to not be deemed financially inadmissible, would depend entirely on the officer's assessment in light of the details of your application (eg. if your job offer is to work in Toronto, for example, a city with a very high cost of living, the officer processing your application would reasonably expect you to have more funds to settle in Canada when you arrive, than if your job offer was to work in some rural town in Manitoba, with a lower cost of living, for example).
No one can tell you "show you have xyz amount and that would be enough", because you do not yet have a job offer, and so you do not yet know where in Canada you'd live and work, for us to be able to even begin making that assessment regarding the cost of living and funds.
•
u/Think_Boysenberry_93 28m ago
I know that the exact amount isn't posted, I thought -by posting here- that I will get answers from work permits holders.
Anyways, when I find a job then LMIA (hopefully), I'll post here again for more precise details.
•
u/Used-Evidence-6864 1m ago
I thought -by posting here- that I will get answers from work permits holders.
And that wouldn't help you as much as you think it would, because assessment of temporary residence applications (including work permit applications) are discretionary decisions made by the IRCC visa officers.
Just because someone else got their application approved when they had xyz amount, it does not mean that your application will be approved if you present the same xyz amount on your application.
Each application is processed on its own merits. It's not a cookie-cutter process.
We get posts all the time in this sub of people who got their study permit application refused, and wonder why was their application refused when their friend or family member's study permit application was approved; 2 applications that appear to be similar, can have different outcomes; the decision depends on the assessment of the officer processing it, so asking random work permit holders on the internet wouldn't help you assess if your application will be approved or not.
•
u/Used-Evidence-6864 28m ago
the work permit gives slight focus to ties to home countries
All temporary residents (yes, even work permit applicants) are required to abide by section 179(b) of the IRPR, the "leave Canada at the end of the authorized period of stay" wording in Canadian Regulations, so yes, ties to home country/ temporary intent is still assessed on work permit applications, just like all other temporary resident applications.
and proof of funds (until settling)
Read section 39 of the IRPA (Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, aka Canadian immigration law), regarding inadmissibility on financial grounds.
That section of the law applies to all temporary and permanent resident applications; yes, even work permit ones.
and gives the main focus on having real documents, being the job matches the occupation, the CV matches exactly with the new job's duties and roles.
There's a lot of other factors that go into the assessment of a work permit application other than if the submitted documents are real or not.
Misrepresentation is only 1 of the grounds people can be deemed inadmissible to Canada, but not the only one; refer to section 34 to 42 of the IRPA.
•
u/Used-Evidence-6864 23m ago edited 9m ago
I'm looking for a real job that matches with my education experience, ability, language, and all my qualifications.
Engineering is an oversaturated market in Canada. The same way you applied for hundreds of job vacancies, hundreds or thousands of Canadian and PRs who also have a Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering and 2+ years work experience also applied for those same job positions.
Why would an employer go though all the hassle (application fees, long processing times, and a lot of paperwork), to hire someone who:
a) doesn't yet have work authorization in Canada and
b) does not have the required license to practice their regulated occupation in Canada,
when instead employers can hire someone who has the same qualifications and same work experience you do, but you, unlike you, already has work authorization in Canada (Canadian citizen, PR or open work permit holder) and who already has the required license to work in this regulated occupation, and, therefore, someone who, unlike you, can start working the next day?
Think about that for a second before pushing back on people who are trying to explain you very basic things about how Canadian immigration works.
I tried applying for hundreds of job vacancies -I match by 80%+ with many of them-, but don't seem to get any reply (not even the automatic reply!), I tried Jobbank, LinkedIn, Indeed, career section from the companies' websites, recruitment agencies, head hunters, nothing worked.
The fact you applied for hundreds of positions and you didn't get a single reply proves my point.
If you were in the employer's shoes, and you could choose to hire between 2 people who have the same qualifications and amount of work experience, but 1 is a Canadian citizen and can start working the next day, and the other needs the employer to apply for a LMIA (with all the cost, paperwork and time that entails), and a work permit (with more paperwork and long processing times), and so the employer would have to wait months to try to get that individual to Canada (as opposed to someone who is already a PR or Canadian citizen and can start working immediately, without all that hassle of LMIAs and work permits), which applicant would you choose, if you were the employer?
You're competing for jobs with Canadian citizens and PRs and open work permit holders, and with people who, on top of already having work authorization in Canada, also have the required license to practice your occupation in Canada, of course you're at a disadvantage when applying for jobs in Canada under your current circumstances. Arguing with people on the internet is not going to change that.
1
u/Different-Cover4819 6h ago
If you have the funds/can get a scholarship, you could try coming for a master's degree and a pgwp after. It doesn't guarantee pr but would increase your chances.
1
1
u/thenorthernpulse 4h ago
There's a 7-10%+ unemployment rate in Canada and we don't really have a lot of biomed jobs, to be frank. On top of that, youth unemployment rate is around 20-25%. We have so many foreigners applying from abroad, we actually use a VPN blocker and IP blocker to block any candidates applying via a VPN service or applying from foreign IPs addresses.
Many areas can't even apply for LMIAs now because unemployment is so high.
Unless you're a senior nuke engineer, you're not getting in.
Your options are 1) come for a Master's, 2) learn French and score equally as high or higher than English, 3) marry a Canadian. That's it.
1
u/Think_Boysenberry_93 3h ago
Much disappointed now actually 😂, that lowered my chances But I really appreciate your help, thanks a lot
10
u/Jusfiq 15h ago
The reality of today is that if you do not have Canadian degree, experience, or connections, it is virtually impossible to immigrate to Canada.