I have been interviewing with companies in Toronto in the field of Economics. I am an American citizen with an MA in Econ and a couple of years of experience. I have a couple of question about obtaining the work permit upon receipt of the job offer.

(1) I understand that the work permit can be obtain as soon as the job offer is given and that it can be obtained at the port of entry. If I fly to Toronto, then as soon as I receive the job offer, can I apply for the work permit even if I am not actually moving for a month or so?

(2) If I have a valid job offer with all the required information, resume/transcripts to show credentials, US passport, properly filled out application form, proof of ability to financially support myself in Canada upon the move, and a verbal explanation of why I would want to return to US after the work is done, is there still a chance that the application gets refused?

(3) I got quotes from a couple of attorneys on what it would cost to get the work permit processed (about $2K and 1 week). Is it worth the money? Or if the application is properly filled out there are no "tricks-of-the-trade" and my chances would be exactly the same if I applied at the port of entry myself. I basically don’t want to jeopardize my chances, but would not want to engage an attorney if the process is really routine.

(4) Suppose I arrive and apply for the work permit. Can I go into Canada while the processing goes on or am I stuck in limbo for the 1-2 days that this would take (or longer)?

(5) I am a little confused about the end date on the application/work permit. Do I have to tell my employer to put an end date in the offer letter? For Economics, can it be say 3 years away? Does the immigration officer just go with whatever is in the offer letter of can the length be reduced?

Thank you sincerely for your answers.

Julia

A work permit can be obtained at the port of entry on or after the specified start date in your application. The validity of the work permit would be based on that date, however, and not the date on which you actually start work. If a case is processed at a port of entry, the decision is made on the spot; no processing occurs at the port of entry when you depart. If the officer is not satisfied with the case, he or she has the option of refusing admission, admitting you as a visitor only, or detaining you until the case is decided.

A temporary work permit is just that, temporary. A fixed term of the employment must be specified. Various classes of work permit have different allowable terms. The stated term should ideally be consistent with the class in which you are seeking admission.

Just like everything, people who do something every day learn how to handle those things more efficiently. And just like everything, others can learn the same things if they are willing to put in the time and effort. Speculation about the potential of refusal of your case is otherwise impossible in the absence of all the details.