I have an offer from Facebook for a remote position in Canada. I'm working in US right now on OPT STEM. Wondering what is the process like to get the work visa (FB will be filing it for me), I've heard there have been delays, if anyone has done this process recently, what was the total time it took for you to get the visa and what was the process?
This page says 5 weeks, but not sure how accurate this is right now https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html
You can double every estimate across the board thanks to the pandemic. And remember, it's not where you live but your citizenship that matters. Which you haven't even told us. I recruit many international hires from USA through Asia for Deloitte Canada, both internal transfers and not.
Usually if an employer will get you a work permit, it comes with an LMIA and it is a closed work permit(means you will not be able to work anywhere else). But after an year of experience and extra 50 pointe that you will get via LMIA you will be able to apply for permanent residency and its a further 4-5 months process. Not a lawyer so do your own research too.
And if i am not wrong, LMIAs take 2-3 months.
Thanks! Is this for US?
Where’s the location in Canada op ? Is it easy to transfer?
I was asked to choose a location because it's remote. I chose Vancouver! Can you elaborate on easy to transfer? What are you referring to?
Oh sorry by easy to transfer I thought you were already at facebook. Did you originally apply to a Canadian position or was it a US position ? I’m also doing remote and would be curious to know if it’s possible to transfer to Canada
If you're working in US branch and then transfer to Canada, this would be quicker ~ 15 days because LMIA is not required for internal transfer. If you're directly working for Canadian branch then you need to go through LMIA process and it takes longer.
Thank you that makes a lot of sense. I'm reading now about the LMIA process. But if you have anything comprehensive I would appreciate that as well!
If LMIA-exempt due to intra-company transfer, then you can also apply for work permit at the port of entry when you are entering Canada IF you are from a visa-exempt country.
Lottery failed ?
I applied for a US position but got an offer for Canada because they need 24 months of remaining OPT STEM and I was shy of 2 months
Gotcha ! Didn't know this 24 month remaining requirement
Sorry for the low TC in Canada
Yeah it's quite low compared to US. Are you on US or Canada?
What's the tc?
Lol how does an LMIA ever pass in Canada? There are SO MANY people willing to take that Facebook job. Wtf? Facebook is one of the few employers not paying 🥜. I’d audit the shit out of that LMIA if I was a Canadian official.
u got to be gud and many people don’t like Meta
There is a criteria and there are details. Plus companies like Amazon and Microsoft have had broader exceptions / programs too like Significant Investment Projects: British Columbia Foreign Workers Annex Microsoft Canada Excellence Centre https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/exemption-codes/federal-provincial-territorial-agreements-r204-lmia-exemption-code-t13.html
What's the vancouvsr tc?
I was working at both FB Canada and US. This sounds very weird to me, FB doesn’t support LMIA process unless they change it recently. So you either need to be Canadian PR/citizen, or work for FB US for 1 year before transferring to Canada on LMIA exempt ICT. I haven’t heard any non-Canadian onboard at FB Canada directly because it requires LMIA.
Ohh i didn't know this, but i know that they have started to hire for remote Canada roles recently so maybe this is new
Confirm FB support LMIA for non-Canadian now.
Fb is filling your work permit? Or you are doing yourself?
Yes Fb will do it
2-3 months once they submit application I’d say