ARCHIVED – Operational Bulletin 225B - April 5, 2011

Modified processing instructions for Information Technology work permit applications (software pilot) received prior to October 1, 2010

Update: Facilitated process for British Columbia is extended to September 30, 2011.

Purpose

As a follow-up to Operational Bulletin (OB) 210—End of Simplified Entry Process for Information Technology (IT) specialists—Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program—published June 4, 2010, the purpose of this bulletin is to provide guidance to officers processing work permit (WP) applications received prior to October 1, 2010, when the national Labour Market Opinion (LMO)/software pilot was cancelled.

Background

On May 20, 2010, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Service Canada (HRSDC/SC) issued a notice for employers that the simplified entry process for certain IT occupations will end on September 30, 2010. Effective October 1, 2010, employers who wish to hire TFWs previously eligible for IT facilitated processing will be required to apply for an LMO.

Note
For employers wanting to hire foreign workers for positions in Quebec, the facilitated process will remain in place until further notice.

WP applications received prior to October 1, 2010

Under the simplified entry process, the national LMO will remain in place for seven specific IT occupations identified at www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-tech.asp up to and including September 30, 2010.

WP applications received at a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) visa office or at the Case Processing Centre-Vegreville, or requests for WP issuances received by the Canada Border Services Agency at a port of entry prior to October 1, 2010, will no longer require an LMO.

Limiting the duration of WPs issued prior to October 1, 2010

Requests for an extension of a WP or a new WP application that was filed prior to October 1, 2010, if approved, will allow a maximum duration of one year from the date of issuance of the WP.

WP applications received on or after October 1, 2010

Effective October 1, 2010, WP applications received for the seven specific IT occupations that were previously under the facilitated process will require an LMO.

Note
From October 1, 2010, until September 30, 2011, employers interested in hiring TFWs for positions located in British Columbia and in one of the seven occupations covered under the information technology facilitated process will be required to first notify SC and the Ministry of Regional Economic and Skills Development of their offer of employment before proceeding to have the foreign workers apply to CIC to obtain a WP. Note that until further notice, the change does not apply to Quebec.

WP durations will be in accordance with the requirement stated within the LMO.