For bf – re entering Canada

[nina.mca]

Hi everyone!

I've got a question regarding being able to re-enter Canada as a worker.

My boyfriend, from Ireland, applied for a work visa in August 2013 and it expired last year in 2015. He tried to apply for Express Entry so that he could get a PR. To sum up the situation, he was working at an architecture firm (he has a background in Architectural Design) and his boss agreed to sponsoring him. Month prior to his visa ending, she opted out and he had no choice but to move back to Ireland. Such a waste; used him for his time.

With that being said, I read that work visa can last up to four years, but why did he only have two years?

Also, we were told that if he and I lived outside of Canada for at least a year, he could come back into Canada. I don't know how accurate that is, but besides applying for a study visa or being offered a job, does he have any other options?

Thank you,
Nina

 

[scylla]

You've completely misunderstood the four year rule. IECs / working holiday visas are valid for six months to two years - depending on the program and the applicant's country of origin. Your boyfriend got the length of work permit he was entitled to.

Your boyfriend can apply for a work permit provided he has a full time job offer and an approved LMIA. Note that it's generally difficult to get an approved LMIA for architectural roles since there are more qualified applicants than jobs (my guess is this is why his employer backed out - she realized there was no way the LMIA was going to be approved).

He can also qualify to apply for a study permit provided he's accepted into a program in Canada, that program makes sense in light of his past education and experience - and he has the funds to pay for international student fees plus living expenses.

Otherwise his options are to apply to immigrate if he qualifies - either independently through an economic class or by being sponsored by you if you are common law or married.

 

[nina.mca]

Hm, okay. Where does the four year rule play in then? Is it a different visa?

 

[scylla]

Hm, okay. Where does the four year rule play in then? Is it a different visa?

It's the maximum length of time you are allowed to work in Canada under certain skill levels before you have to leave for a full year. This doesn't mean people are getting four year work permits (they're not). It's not about the length of the actual work permit. It's about how long you can remain in Canada as a temporary worker.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-eligible/four-year-maximum.asp