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Advice and steps on how to immigrate to Canada as foreign postdoc
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CanadaImmigrationAdvicePostdoc.md

Advice on how to immigrate to Canada for Postdocs

Abbreviations

  • UoC = University of Calgary
  • IRCC = Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  • eTA = Electronic Travel Authorization
  • ERL = Employment Reference Letter
  • SIN = Social Insurance Number

How to apply for work permit

Preparation of primary documents

Create account

Start application

  • On IRCC account page, under "Start an application", select "Apply to come to Canada"
  • Under "I do not have...", select "Visitor visa, study..."
  • Fill whether eligible to apply
    • Have employer offer
    • No special worker, answer whether spouse, dependent, graduated in Canada
    • marital status, province Alberta
  • RESULT:
    • Foreign Worker - International Mobility Program (No Visitor's Visa required)
  • Continue...
  • need: work permit with LMIA exemption
  • answer further questions
    • ever any crime?
    • need medical exams?
    • biometrics?
    • (will pay the fee myself online)
  • review answers... (made pdf of it)

General steps to submit application

  • On IRCC account page
  1. Use your own account
  2. Save your application
    • use "exit" button to save state
    • 60 days time limit
  3. Upload documents
    • forms and docs must be electronic
    • use digital signature to transmit docs
    • one file per doc, append pages if necessary
    • must upload ALL requested forms and docs
    • "help" below forms
    • max doc size: 4 MB
    • accepted file formats: PDF, JPG, TIFF, DOC, DOCX
  4. Pay your fees

Detailed steps to submit application

  • collect all docs together and keep track of what you still need
  • Required documents:
    • Application Form IMM 1295 E
      • can only be used from Adobe Reader
        • on Linux, can install Adobe Reader by PlayOnLinux
      • choose 'Exemption from Labour Market Impact Assessment'
      • write Offer of Employment ID number provided by UoC under 'Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA No or Offer of Employment (LMIA Exempt)'
      • careful when filling in everything, double check for typos
      • sign electronically
      • document has validation button to be used when all filled in
    • Employment Reference Letter(s) (ERL)
      • one if only one employer in last two years
        • I had two and submitted two ERLs combined as one PDF
      • best to prepare for your employers, they are busy and might take time to respond with their signature, stamps etc.
      • see extra notes in "About ERL"
    • "Priority Processing" Cover Letter?
      • if you can have it, you most likely already got it from UoC
      • if not, then ignore it
        • from geoscience, I asked HR of UoC: cannot have it
      • might not make any difference if still multiple months time left
    • Scan of all used passport pages (with visas)
      • if many pages, have to compress it below 4M
      • on Linux using ghostscript to compress:
      • gs -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -dCompatibilityLevel=1.4 -dPDFSETTINGS=/ebook -dNOPAUSE -dQUIET -dBATCH -sOutputFile=Passport_compr.pdf Passport.pdf
    • Digital photo
      • facing camera, neutral expression
      • plain white background
      • digitally not altered in any way
    • if applicable: family info IMM5645
      • may not be required
      • print and sign
    • other documents that are basically ready
      • curriculum vitae
      • copies of three most recent pay stubs
      • employment contract (signed offer letter from UoC)
      • copy of PhD docs (meeting job requirements)
    • repetitions/combinations you will have ready by the end
      • letter from current employer = ERL
      • employment records = ERL + 3 last pay stubs
  • combine pages to one PDF for each separate document to be submitted
    • might have to combine two ERLs if you have two
    • for 'Employment records', combine ERL with last 3 pay stubs
  • submit all required documents
  • pay the fees (240 CAD)
    • typically for both work permit (155 CAD) and biometrics (85 CAD)

Abouth ERL

You must provide an employment reference letter (an up-to-date reference from current or past employers). If you have had more than two employers in the last two years, please provide a letter from both employers.

Reference letters must be written on company letterhead, show the company's full address and telephone and fax numbers, and be stamped with the company's official seal.

The letter should include all of the following information:

  • the specific period of your employment with the company
  • the positions you held during the period of employment and the time spent in each position
  • full details of your main responsibilities in each position
  • your total annual salary plus benefits
  • the signature of your immediate supervisor or the personnel officer at the company
  • a business card of the person signing (or print such info under their signature)

After application submission

  • check your IRCC account, any update?
    • should get biometric instruction letter soon (hours to few days)
  • get your biometrics (fingerprints, photo)
  • watch your IRCC account for any changes or further requirements
    • might just say "processing" for a long time
    • usually no further action required
    • unfortunately, you might not get an email if it's all finished
      • this is contrary to expectations, but it's my experience
      • therefore check periodically on your account

After work permit application successful

  • on IRCC account, should see that final decision is approved
    • now have Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) connected to passport
    • will receive work permit once in Canada
    • check if all info is correct on your final documents
      • name, birth date, passport code
      • mistakes happen, notify IRCC if you see one
  • primary travel requirements
    • print out these documents (have to show them at airport)
      • letter from IRCC that shows your work permit is approved
      • signed offer of employment letter from UoC
      • additional letter from UoC to confirm your position
        • you will receive that some weeks/days before traveling
      • check Covid-19 requirements (negative test, vaccination?)
      • might print out ArriveCan code after sign up in case phone fails
    • might have to check in using ArriveCan app before flight
  • travel requirements due to Covid-19 pandemic
    • should get further info from HR of UoC
    • documentation of negative Covid-19 test result
    • documentation on vaccination? (not decided as of this time)
    • check if still applicable, these things have changed quickly many times
    • wear mask when traveling
    • might need quarantine plan
    • might have to get apps: ArriveCan, ...?
    • note: ABTraceTogether app of Alberta might only start to work in Canada
    • Alberta border pilot program has been canceled in late February 2021
    • if pandemic over (inshallah), might ignore all this
  • travel help: app eDeclaration (Canada)
    • the app can speed up going through customs at Canadian airports
  • check if you're generally prepared for traveling to Canada
    • does your phone work with Canadian carriers?
      • see carriers under "In Canada"
    • book Airbnb, hotel or other place to stay until final accommodation found
    • search flight connection to Calgary
      • restrictions during pandemic might lead to less opportunity
    • full credit card, not prepaid credit card
      • required to rent cars
      • might be required for postpaid mobile phone plans (not prepaid)

In Canada

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