Hello all

My girlfriend currently lives in Singapore as a computer programmer and she is attempting to acquire a work permit here in Canada as a transferee since her company has a branch in Spore & Canada. I have recently found out that besides the regular work permit (which requires a proactive labour market opinion to be completed) there is an alternative or special work permit available under GATS that is a possibility.

From what i understand in order to qualify under GATS you have to explain how you meet one of the following three criteria:

1) Executive
2) Manager
3) Special Knowledge

She plans apply under "special knowledge".

However i am not certain on the order of events that has to take place for this application. So far i have:

1) letter must be issued by her employer to her offering the intra company transfer from the branch office in Canada

2) letter from the company (or her, not sure) explaining that she is exempt from the labour market opinion due to the fact it is a company transfer based upon the special knowledge she has.

3) work permit form be filled out

Then these three documents should be given to the Canadian Embassy for application of the work permit.

Does this sound correct? Am i missing any steps? Or could step 1 & 2 be combined in one letter?

Have people had good success with this special work permit or is it easier to just go the usual route with the labour market opinion?

I would love to hear feedback.

Each visa office has specific requirements for processing of a work permit. You must refer to such requirements to determine what must be included for the submission of a case; the materials mentioned would typically be a fraction of what is needed.