Work Permit Application Warning

Let this be a warning for those planning to file their work permit application.

For this week, I have received four emails asking for my opinion and help for their refused work permit application. Their common problem is being unable to convince the Visa Officer that they will return to the Philippines after their contract (strong ties).



There is no appeal process for temporary resident visa application. However, applicants are allowed to reapply.

You don't need a representative or consultant to process your work permit application. Remember, however, it is more prudent and less costly to get help before filing your application than to get help after your work permit application is refused.

Don't wast your Labor Market Opinion (LMO). In work permit application, small mistakes may cause big problem.

Cancelled Without Prejudice

I've been always saying that a Labor Market Opinion (LMO) is not a guarantee that you will be issued a visa and work permit. Now, let me emphasize that having your visa and work permit approved does not guarantee that you will be able to legally work in Canada.

Your visa may be cancelled without prejudice.



Even if you have your visa and work permit approved, your employer may still request cancellation of your visa. I have seen this happen to a Live-in Caregiver program applicant and to lots of workers supposedly be working in Alberta.

The problem there is if you have dealt with a recruiter and you have already paid their fee. That will be really sad. Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

IF your occupation is included in the list of high demand occupations, you should be applying under the new Federal Skilled Worker program instead of a work permit. It is now easier and faster to apply. And your application will not be subjected to contigencies like that of an employer's decision.

Find out if you will qualify, send your resume to aapuntar@go2canada.com

Visa Processing Fee Update - Canadian Embassy Manila

Here's the new visa processing fee effective June 13, 2009. The peso equivalent is based of the fixed exchange rate of P43.

Immigration Cost Recovery Fees (in effect as of June 13, 2009)
	CAD$	PHP
I. Permanent Resident Visas
Skilled Worker and Provincial Nominee Applicants
Principal applicant	$550	23,650
A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner	$550	23,650
A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner	$150	6,450
Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-employed Persons Class applicants
Principal applicant	$1,050	42,300
A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner	$550	23,650
A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner	$150	6,450
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)	$490	21,000
Note that for Family Class applicants, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee must be paid by the sponsor from within Canada. The visa cannot be issued until this fee is paid. The RPRF fee is payable by principal applicants (with the following exceptions) and accompanying spouses and common-law partners. Exceptions: Dependent children of a principal applicant or sponsor, a child to be adopted, or an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild; and protected persons, including Convention refugees
II. Temporary Resident Visas	CAD$	PHP
Visitors (including re-entry and seafarer applications)
Single entry to Canada	$75	3,225
Multiple entry	$150	6,450
Family rate for either single or multiple entry (all family members must apply at the same time and place, no limit to the total number of family members)	$400	17,200
Work Permits
Work permit	$150	6,450
Work permit - Group of 3 or more performing artists	$450	19,350
Study Permits	$125	5,400
III. Other	CAD$	PHP
Temporary Resident Permit	$200	8,600
Replacing a Visa	$30	1,300
Return to Canada (for Permanent Residents) - Travel Document	$50	2,150
Application processing fee, if inadmissible on the grounds of serious criminality	$1,000	43,000
Application processing fee, if inadmissible on the grounds of criminality	$200	8,600
Authorization to return to Canada after removal	$400	17,200
Repayment of removal expenses
To the U.S.A. and St. Pierre and Miquelon	$750	32,250
To any other country	$1,500	64,500

Social Security System (SSS) Static Information

If you're a Filipino worker applying under Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program or Live-in Caregiver Program to work in Canada, you may be required by the Canadian Visa Office to submit a Social Security System (SSS) Static Information. This is not a standard document that you will find in the application kit, but may be required in the middle of the process. This is their way to make sure that the employment history you declared are indeed true.



You can get your Social Security System (SSS) Static Information through a web inquiry at www.sss.gov.ph.

In the past, anybody can access your static information from the SSS website as long as they have your SSS number, birth date and surname. This means that the Visa Office may in fact access your Static Information even without you knowing it. However, this system was already changed. You need to be registered first before you can access your SSS Static Information.

You need to complete the registration process by providing accurate information before you can use the SSS Web Inquiry. If the information you have provided does not match the information stored in the SSS database, it may delay the registration process. Since it may take time before you could actually access your SSS Static Information, it is best that you start the registration as early as now. Do not wait until the Visa Office requires it. In fact, you may submit your SSS Static Information together with your application forms.

Click here to start the registration process to get your Social Security System (SSS) Static Information through web inquiry.

Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO)

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) is part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It was created to help foreign-trained workers succeed in Canada. FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help foreign-trained workers succeed and put their skills to work in Canada more quickly.

Remember that the approval of your permanent resident visa application and eventual entry in Canada does not guarantee you employment in your preferred profession or any other profession.

If you are planning to live and work in Canada, gathering information about living and working in Canada will help you prepare for employment in your chosen profession. The Foreign Credential Referral Office created a workbook specifically for this purpose.



Planning to work in Canada? An essential workbook for newcomers was created by FCRO for internationally trained individuals who are considering moving to Canada. It will help you learn how to put your skills, education and experience to work. The workbook is composed of 5 sections:

Living in Canada
The more you learn about Canada, the faster you will be able to adapt to the Canadian work environment. Taking the time to ask questions, to read and research, to watch videos on the Web or elsewhere, can all greatly help your transition from new immigrant to an established and comfortable member of Canadian society. This section is designed to help you learn more about life in Canada, and to guide you in taking a few essential steps as an immigrant.

Canada's Official Languages
Language skills are extremely important to your professional future in Canada. This section will help you learn more about Canada’s two official languages – English and French – as well as assess your language skills and identify opportunities for language training.

Finding a job in Canada
This section is designed to help you understand all you need to do to obtain work in Canada. It provides you with a series of essential steps that will help you learn how to find and get a job in your preferred profession. This process will take time, but completing each task below as thoroughly as possible will give you and your family members the best possible chance to succeed professionally in Canada.

Work Related Documents
This section of the workbook is designed to help you identify and locate documents that may be of importance to you in Canada before you come to Canada. It will also help you to assess the value, in Canada, of documents in your chosen field.

Education Academic Credentials
Education is an asset when searching for work in Canada, but your education may not automatically be recognized in Canada. Demonstrating your education and academic credentials is, therefore, important. Understanding educational equivalencies between your country of origin and Canada will also help you to understand the kinds of jobs you will be likely to obtain in Canada.

For more information about Foreign Credentials Referral Office, visit the official website at http://www.credentials.gc.ca.

2010 Vancouver Olympics means jobs

The 2010 Winter Olympics that will be held in Vancouver, British Columbia will definitely create employment opportunities in construction, retail trade, and the tourist industry. Both locals and aspiring temporary foreign workers will benefit from this.

For those in Canada who wants to work with Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, click here to look for opportunities.

TheStar reported that it is estimated that B.C. will need 30,000 more tourism workers by 2015 based on a Conference Board of Canada report. While the study was released prior to the economy's sharp decline, industry experts still believe a significant shortfall will exist for two reasons: the impending retirement of baby boomers and the legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

To find jobs in Canada, visit Canada Jobs Portal.

To visit Canada to watch the Winter Olympics, here's a tourist visa application guide.

Work Permit Without LMO Required

A Labor Market Opinion (LMO) is normally needed in applying for work permit to legally work in Canada. But there are jobs that do not require LMO to get a work permit.

People in the following categories need a work permit but do not need a labour market opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).

Workers covered under international agreements

Professionals, traders, investors and business people coming to Canada to work under certain international agreements

Entrepreneurs and intra-company transferees
Some types of entrepreneurs, workers transferring within a company, and other types of workers who will provide significant benefit to Canadians or permanent residents by working in Canada

Participants in exchange programs
People whose employment in Canada will provide similar employment to Canadians abroad, such as participants in youth exchange programs, teacher exchange programs or other reciprocal programs

Co-op students
Foreign students who are studying in Canada and who need to do co-op work placements as part of their program of study

Spouses
Spouses and common-law partners of certain foreign workers and of certain foreign students who are currently studying or working under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program

Spouses of certain foreign students may obtain a work permit without having to obtain a labour market opinion from HRSDC. This exemption applies to spouses who are not themselves enrolled in full-time studies.

Eligibility criteria: To be allowed to work in this category, you must prove that you are the spouse of a student who holds a valid student permit and who is studying full time at a post-secondary institution—a university, a community college, a CEGEP, a technical or school of commercial studies—that is financed by the private or public sector and authorized by provincial law to award university degrees.

Academics and students
Certain academics and students

Religious workers
People doing charitable or religious work

Others
Certain people who need to support themselves while they are in Canada for other reasons such as the refugee determination process

New Embassy Fee Exchange Rate

Effetive November 10, 2008, Canadian Visa Office in Manila will implement a lower exchange rate for its embassy fee or what it calls Immigration Recover Fee from Php42 to a C$1 down to Php40.

Immigration Cost Recovery Fees (in effect as of November 10, 2008)
	CAD$	PHP
I. Permanent Resident Visas
Skilled Worker applicants
Principal applicant	$550	22,000
A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner	$550	22,000
A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner	$150	6,000
Investor, Entrepreneur or Self-employed Persons Class applicants
Principal applicant	$1,050	42,300
A family member of the principal applicant who is 22 years of age or older, or is less than 22 years of age and is a spouse or common-law partner	$550	22,000
A family member of the principal applicant who is less than 22 years of age and is not a spouse or common-law partner	$150	6,000
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)	$490	19,500
Note that for Family Class applicants, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee must be paid by the sponsor from within Canada. The visa cannot be issued until this fee is paid. The RPRF fee is payable by principal applicants (with the following exceptions) and accompanying spouses and common-law partners. Exceptions: Dependent children of a principal applicant or sponsor, a child to be adopted, or an orphaned brother, sister, niece, nephew or grandchild; and protected persons, including Convention refugees
II. Temporary Resident Visas	CAD$	PHP
Visitors (including re-entry and seafarer applications)
Single entry to Canada	$75	3,000
Multiple entry	$150	6,000
Family rate for either single or multiple entry (all family members must apply at the same time and place, no limit to the total number of family members)	$400	16,000
Work Permits
Work permit	$150	6,000
Work permit - Group of 3 or more performing artists	$450	18,000
Study Permits	$125	5,000
III. Other	CAD$	PHP
Temporary Resident Permit	$200	8,000
Replacing a Visa	$30	1,200
Return to Canada (for Permanent Residents) - Travel Document	$50	2,000
Application processing fee, if inadmissible on the grounds of serious criminality	$1,000	40,000
Application processing fee, if inadmissible on the grounds of criminality	$200	8,000
Authorization to return to Canada after removal	$400	16,000
Repayment of removal expenses
To the U.S.A. and St. Pierre and Miquelon	$750	30,000
To any other country	$1,500	60,000

Embassy fee changes from time to time. For updated embassy fee, you may check manila.gc.ca.

Job Vacancies from I-Jobs

Naghahanap ka ba ng trabaho?

Here's another good news for Filipino Workers looking for jobs in Canada. Our partner, International Jobs Recruitment Agency (I-Jobs), is looking for diffent skilled workers. This the result of Rowena Andarde's (I-Jobs President) one month business mission to Canada last month.

Initially, the following workers are urgently needed.

Two (2) Project Managers

Five (5) Welders

Five (5) Heavy Equipment Mechanics

Three (3) Construction Labourers – with skills in Electrical

Five (5) Cooks

Three (3) Commercial Janitors and Housekeepers

Three (3) Light Duty Cleaners

Three (3) Landscape labourers

If you are interested, please send a Canada resume format to info@intl-jobs.com. Here's a free Canada resume guide in case you don't know how a Canada resume should look like. In sending email, please indicate "Gateway: Position Title"

Trabaho

Trabaho is the Tagalog word for work.

I've just found out that many Internet users in the Philippines are searching for the word "trabaho". Using Google Trends, I searched for the word "trabaho" and learned that it indeed has a high search volume.

This post is for those looking for trabaho.

If you are looking for jobs in Canada using the internet, here are my suggestions:

1. Prepare a suitable resume for Canadian Employers. A Philippine styled resume will not be suitable for use in Canada. Remember that your resume serves as a marketing tool with you as the product. Here's a free Canada resume guide.

2. Now that you already have a Canada resume format, the next step is to search for employers where to send your resume. Target those jobs that you actually have experience and formal training. To get a better chance, apply for a position that is at least one level down that your current position. For instance, apply for a baker helper position even if you're a baker. Here's a Canada Jobs portal where you may find job vacancies.

3. Looking for jobs through the Internet is always a numbers game. The more applications you send, the better your chance will be. The result will of course be determined by the effort you give.

So there. Good luck to your job hunting! Pag may trabaho ka na, pa-cheese burger ka ha? :-)

Guaranteed Visa Approval

Looking for ways to have a guaranteed visa approval to work in Canada?

Applicants would normally ask if visa approval is guaranteed if we will process their application. That's a reasonable question of course. Unfortunately, we can't and will not guarantee visa approval. Whether you file direct at the visa office or hire us as your representative, there simply is no guarantee. The only advantage you have if you our services is that you will be guided.

Here are some tips for those application for temporary resident visa to legally work in Canada. These may not result to a guaranteed visa approval, but it sure will get your success rate better.

Submit all the required documents and accomplish the forms properly. Dont leave any blanks empty, put N/A (not applicable) on fields not is not applicable to you.

Provide as much information as possible on how you were able to get the job offer. Do you have a recruiter? Labor Marker Opinion (LMO) is not for sale. If the Visa Officer has the information on the circumstances on how you were selected, that will somehow clear out doubts whether you paid a recruiter to ger the job

The Visa Officer evaluates the applicant's competencies (education, experience) vis a vis your job offer. It is best if you have the training and experience related to your job offer.

You must provide evidence that they will return to the Philippines after the temporary work permit lapses. What are these documents? That depends on your circumstances.

Applicants who have been unemployed for several years, single and who have close relatives in Canada might be a cause for concern. However, a relative in Canada certainly would not bar acceptance of an application.

So there. I hope to have given you useful tips to have a higher chance of approval, if not a guaranteed visa approval. :-)

Wanted: House Cleaner

Just a quick post to help one of my blog readers from Richmond, British Columbia. He is looking for a part time house cleaner for his senior parents.
photo credit: http://www.2shareajoy.com/

Employer is willing to pay C$12/hour for 2 hours a week job. If you are interested, you may email him at aziz103@yahoo.com

For more job opportunities as a house cleaner, visit jobbank.gc.ca.

Things to do before going to Canada: Guide for Filipino Workers

An approval of Temporary Resident Visa application to work in Canada isn't the end of the process for Filipino Workers to legally work in Canada. They still need to accomplish a couple of things.

If you are Filipino worker and have just received your visa to work in Canada, here's what you should do next.

1. Get an Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) from Philippine Overseas Employment Office (POEA). This process is to document the Filipino's working abroad. It is the Philippine government's way to monitor and safeguard the welfare of Filipino workers abroad.

An Overseas Employment Certificate shall be issued only if your employer is registered at Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), and have meet and complied with the requirements. In most cases, your employer needs to be accredited by POEA through a local recruitment agencies like International Jobs Recruitment Agency (I-Jobs). If your employer does not know this process, here's an employers' guide on hiring Filipino Workers, which you may send to your employer for their reference.

2. Work Permit is issued in Canada. When you arrived in Canada, an immigration officer will interview you must be prepared to show supporting documents, such as your letter of offer of employment and the letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada saying that you are authorized to come to Canada to work. If the information you have provided matched the information that they have about you, the officer will print the actual permit for you.

Another client is going to Canada soon

Here's a timeline for the work permit application of one of my clients. He finished a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and has been working as weldre for the last 10 years. He got a job offer from an employer in Canada as construction laborer. I'm not sure how he got the job offer, I just assisted him on his work permit application at the Canadian Embassy in Manila.

[June 17, 2008] Application forms and supporting documents sent to Canadian Embassy via courier. To schedule pick up of your application, you must contact embassy call center at tel number 1(909)101-8888 for PLDT/SMART/Touchcard; 1(903)101-8888 for Bayantel or 1(900)101-8888 for Globe/Innove/Touchmobile. Customer Service Representatives are available to assist you Mondays to Fridays from 6am to 8pm and Saturdays 8am to 6pm. These numbers are only available to callers within the Philippines through touchtone phones with NDD access or through your telephone service provider’s operator-assisted connection. All landline calls are charged a toll call charge costing P32.00 (pesos) per minute excluding VAT and applicable NDD charges for calls made outside Metro Manila. It is best to call between 6am to 7am or 7pm to 8pm to save on cost.

[July 8, 2008] Received the file number with medical instructions. Client was required to submit OFW Information Sheet and was encouraged to take the CanSpeak Test to expedite the Process

[July 10, 2008] Undegone medical examination

[July 17, 2008] Submitted the OFW Information sheer via courier

[October 10, 2008] Temporary Resident Visa Received!

Processing Times for work permit application may now take 4-6 months depending on how fast you will comply to the embassy requirement. A labor marker opinion is not a guarantee that you be issued visa. A work permit application may be refused for various reasons.

You may email me at aapuntar@go2canada.com should you want us to assist you on your application.

Medical Examination for Work Permit Applicants

A blog reader with a pending work permit application sent me an email. She have just received her file number and is asking me when is the right time to undergo medical examination.

Does work permit applicants have the option to chose when to take the medical examination?

Yes. Here's an excerpt from the the embassy cover letter for the medical instructions:

In order to expedite the processing of your application, you have the option of completing the medical examination before your interview takes place and/or your application is reviewed by an officer; however, please be advised that if your application is refused, the cost of the examination will not be refunded.

If you want an expedited process, it is best to undergo medical examination once you receive your file number and medical instructions. You must do this only if you think that you meet all the requirements and submitted verifiable supporting documents. The cost of medical examination if I think is now P3,000.00.

It is to your advantage if you will undergo medical examination soon. Consider the additional cost as your investment. And just like any other investment, expect a risk.

How to apply for work in Alberta

Yesterday night, there was a news aired on local television channel featuring an opportunity for Filipino Workers to work in Alberta. It was also reported by Philippline star that some 10,000 to 30,000 Filipino workers are needed in Alberta. As a result, my email inbox was filled with emails inquiring about the news. And I will not be surprised if some others would even visit the Philippine Overseas Employment Office to apply. However, POEA is not recruiting workers for Canada.

This post is to answer the question - How to apply for work in Alberta, Canada?

If you will read the Aternative Application Process that I have posted here earlier, you will have an idea how to apply for work in Canada. If you want to look for job in Alberta, you just have to target employers from Alberta.

From Alberta's Official Immigration Website, there's a job seeker registration page where you may create an account and post your profile.

Here is a list of Canada Jobs Portal where you may look for job vacancies in Alberta. Prepare a good cover letter and send as many application to different employers as you can. This should be a continuous process if you are really serious in finding jobs in Canada.

You may also submit your resume to POEA Accredited recruitment agencies like I-JObs.

Now, if an employer offered you a job and processed your Labor Market Opinion, the next step is to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa and Work Permit at the Canadian Visa Office here in Manila. You dont need a consultant or representative to get your work permit. Remember, however, that an LMO is not a guarantee that you will be given a work permit. There are those whose work permit applications are being refused.

So there. I hope it will help you in applying for work in Alberta.

Should you need an assistance to process your work permit application, you may email me at aapuntar@go2canada.com.

Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC)

Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) serves as the Overseas Filipino Worker's travel exit clearance at the airport and immigration counters. The OEC is also an exemption for Overseas Filipino Workers from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fees.

Name-hired or Direct-hired workwers are also required to get an OEC. It isn't enough that you have the Labor Market Opinion, Temporary Resident Visa and Work Permit. A name hire refers to a worker who is able to secure an overseas employment opportunity without the assistance or participation of recruitment agency.

Requirements to get OEC

OFW Information Sheet

passport

work visa or work permit

employment contract verified or authenticated by the Philippine embassy or Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) or Philippine consulate in the country of your destination.

medical examination by a DOH-accredited clinic or hospital

certificate of attendance to POEA in-house pre-departure orientation seminar

Costs/Fees to get OEC

POEA Processing Fee - US$100 or its peso equivalent

OWWA membership fee - US$25 or its peso equivalent

OWWA Medicare - P900.00

A worker may register as a name hire at the One Stop Landbased Accreditation and Processing Center located at the 2nd Floor, POEA Bldg., Ortigas, corner EDSA Mandaluyong City.

Be sure to get Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) before leaving the country to avoid unnecessary problems.

Refused Work Permit Application

Apparently, more and more work permit applications are being refused by Manila Visa Office.

I have noticed that many of those who visited my blog this week are either looking for information about Labor Market Opinion (LMO) and delay in processing of their work permit application. I have received 7 emails asking what options do they have after their work permit application was refused.

For those wondering why there is a delay in processing for their work permit application, please read updates on processing times for Canada Visa application.

There is no appeal process for temporary resident visa application. However, applicants are allowed to reapply. The thing is, if you have submitted wrong information and documents that caused the refusal of your application, refiling your application will not make a difference. We may help you refile your application only if we feel that there's still a chance.

Another alternative is to ask for judicial review through the Federal Court of Canada if applicant thinks that the process was not legally or procedurally fair. In that case, the applicant will need a lawyer in Canada to act on his behalf. This will be really costly and not many employers would be willing to pay these expenses just to get you to Canada.

You do not need a representative or consultant to process your work permit application. They can't guarantee approval of your application. However, because of our experience and expertise on the subject, we can make your chance of approval better. We can help you avoid mistakes that may cause delay in processing and worst, refusal of your work permit application.

It is more prudent and less costly to get help before filing your application than to get help after your work permit application is refused.

Small mistakes cause BIG problems. Why take the risk?

For work permit application assistance, email me at aapuntar@go2canada.com

New Processing Times for Work Permit Application

Processing times for work permit application used to be 10 weeks only. But beacause of the volume of applications the Manila Visa Office is processing, it is now longer.

As of the updating of this message, processing time was approximately 16-20 weeks. It is anticipated that processing times will lengthen in the near future due to staff turnover and record volumes of applications. It is anticipated that by late Fall 2008 processing times will start to decrease as additional resources come in to play and intake volume stabilizes. Please do not make any representations on a case until at least 6 months have passed since the application was received by our office as processing delays may occur due to medical follow-up, missing, incomplete or inaccurate documentation or if an interview is required.

It was last updated on July, 2008. For complete list of average processing times for Canada Visa Application at Manila Visa Office, visit philippines.gc.ca.

Concurrent Processing: LMO and Work Permit

Here's another tip on how to expedite the process for work permit application - concurrent processing.

Ordinarily, you need a Labor Market Opinion (LMO) before you may file your application. However, certain temporary foreign worker applicants are allowed to file their work permit applications while their LMO is still in process at Service Canada.

Eligibility

The job you are applying for must be listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) at the O, A or B level. For more information, see National Occupational Classification List.

You must be applying for a work permit at a Canadian visa office outside Canada.

These procedures do not apply to the Live-in Caregiver Program, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program or the Pilot Project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training (NOC C and D), also known as the Low Skill Pilot.

How to apply

Include the following documents with your work permit application:

A letter to the visa office stating that you want concurrent processing of your work permit application and that you are aware that a positive LMO issued by Service Canada is required before a work permit can be issued to you.

A copy of your employer’s application for an LMO, along with a copy of your job offer or contract in Canada.

Your application processing fee.

Important Reminders:

You must send the approved LMO to the visa office as soon as you receive it from your employer (include your visa office file number).

If the LMO is still pending 60 days after you have applied for the work permit, you must contact your employer to find out how much longer Service Canada anticipates it will take to process the LMO.

You must advise the visa office if Service Canada requires more than a total of 90 days after the work permit application was made to process the LMO, otherwise your work permit could be refused.

If you need assistance on concurrent processing of your LMO and Work Permit application, email me at aapuntar@go2canada.com