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Permanent Solutions for Foreign Workers – Employers
Working with an immigration company that understands your hiring process and the challenges associated with moving to Canada are crucial to making a successful international hire.
The following are permanent immigration solutions in Canada:
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Permanent Residency
Under the Provincial Nominee Program we need to prove that you, as an employer, have been unable to fill a position with a Canadian Worker and would like to fill a position permanently with international worker. Once the provincial government gives first stage approval, a work permit can be issued.
Provincial Nominee Immigration Processing Times:
The nominee program enables the employee to start working on the job in approximately 4 months with final Permanent Residency approval in an additional 6-8 months. British Columbia (BC Provincial Nominee Program - BC PNP), Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Nominee Program - NSNP) and Saskatchewan (Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program - SINP) currently have the fastest processing times at approximately 4 months. Other provincial offices, such as the Alberta (Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program - AINP), estimate processing times up to 11 months. The time lines vary depending on the volume of applications received by the provincial office at any given time.
The provincial nominee programs have a number of benefits and can be an excellent alternative to a Labour Market Opinion or a solution to keeping a current international worker in Canada. The process generally does not require individual union approval and the skilled worker can begin to set up permanent roots in your community. For further information on the Provincial Nominee Programs, please click here, or contact us.
Federal Skilled Worker - Arranged Employment Opinion
The Federal Skilled Worker Class covers certain occupations, allowing skilled workers within these occupations to receive their permanent residence status in less than one year. The worker can apply under this category for permanent residence with or without a job offer.
A list of 29 priority occupations for Skilled Workers can apply on their own to permanently immigrate to Canada. A tentative job offer through an approved Arranged Employment Opinion will assist skilled workers in their applications. If their occupation does not fall under one of the 29 occupations, the skilled worker must have job offer from an employer (Arranged Employment Opinion - AEO).
Federal Skilled Worker Processing Times:
Federal Skilled Worker Applications take approximately 12 months.
This option is beneficial because it can be used for long term succession planning, requires very little paper work from the employer and reduces the employers obligation once the employee arrives as they can work for any employer in Canada. Here are examples of occupations that qualify for this type of application:
- Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
- Drillers and Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
- Industrial Electricians
- Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
- Welders
- Chefs and Cooks
- Heavy Duty Mechanics
- Plumbers
