Hello,

I am a Pakistani citizen and am working for a US based Software Development and Consultanty company in South Africa. They are transferring me and a colleague of mine to their office in Mississauga. My colleague is an Indian citizen. A Toronto based Canadian law firm was hired by our employer to assist us with our Work Permit applications. I've been working for this company since last five years so the Law Firm said they will apply for my Work Permit under the category of Intra-Company Transfer which is excempt from obtaining a LMO, and as a result, my employer didn't obtain a LMO for me. On the other hand, my colleague recently joined this company so he wasn't qualifying for Intra-Company Transfer. As a result, the employer obtained a LMO for him. Our Work Permit applications were sent to the Canadian High Commission in Pretoria (South Africa) by the law firm by courier on 7th November, 2008. I am married and have three children. My wife's and children's applications were also sent along with my Work Permit application for them to accompany me to Canada. Similarly, my colleague is also married, has two children, and his wife's and children's applications were sent along with his Work Permit application. Neither my wife nor my colleague's wife applied for Open Work Permit. My colleague received his file number and instructions to do medical tests just after five days the applications were sent. Whereas, I haven't yet received any file number for my case.

Is this because my case was under the category of Intra-Company Transfer and my colleague's case was not? Do the Work Permits applied without obtaining a LMO (under Intra-Company Transfer category) take longer than the Work Permits applied with LMO? Do you suggest asking the law firm to find out from the High Commission if there's something wrong or missing with my application? Or do you think it's still not that late and I should wait for a week or couple more before I ask the law firm to send a fax to the High Commission? I'm confused. Please advise.

November Rain

It is my opinion, that when a legal representative is doing all of the paper work and formalities, also you have totally entrusted the matters in their hands, I would surely say go to them with the same query. At the same time address the same issue to the firm that you are with and the branch here in Mississauga.

It is apparent that the process has different paths for sure, but the time lines associated with are an unknown quantity at best. Your guess is as good as mine.

But you will be here, some time soon. I will tell you, you are not missing much here. And you should be happy it is going to be later. We have a temperature of ZERO Celsius and it will be heading to minus fifteen or close to it, in a month or so.

So enjoy the beaches and the Bunny chow and Bali's Chutney or is it the Boerewors in a Bun?

Freddie.

Thanks Freddie. I have received the file number and instructions to undergo the medical examinations today.