+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Visitor visa to work permit

dmiriy10

Hero Member
May 20, 2013
300
10
Pre-Assessed..
Yes
Hello ,

I am here on visitor visa and looking for LMIA. Can I convert to work permit within Canada?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,878
9,501
Hello ,

I am here on visitor visa and looking for LMIA. Can I convert to work permit within Canada?
You cannot convert a permit. You apply for a closed work permit with employment letters and possibly ECA and IELTS to prove you can do the job. Current Covid policy to file for work permit within Canada ends on February 28.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ahmad456

canuck78

VIP Member
Jun 18, 2017
55,587
13,519
Hello ,

I am here on visitor visa and looking for LMIA. Can I convert to work permit within Canada?
It will take quite a lot of time. If you are able to find a job with an approved LMIA you will need to apply for a closed work permit online and wait months to see if it is approved.
 

ahmad456

Full Member
Feb 15, 2023
36
0
You cannot convert a permit. You apply for a closed work permit with employment letters and possibly ECA and IELTS to prove you can do the job. Current Covid policy to file for work permit within Canada ends on February 28.
Any idea what will be procedure after 28th feb, if person has canada visit visa and inside canada?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,878
9,501
Any idea what will be procedure after 28th feb, if person has canada visit visa and inside canada?
It will return to the original procedure before covid. You apply for LMIA outside Canada. During covid, borders were closed so people couldn’t return to home country so Canada let people apply for their work permit from inside Canada.
 

ahmad456

Full Member
Feb 15, 2023
36
0
It will return to the original procedure before covid. You apply for LMIA outside Canada. During covid, borders were closed so people couldn’t return to home country so Canada let people apply for their work permit from inside Canada.
But it can be this way that one crosses the border and anyone from inside canada on behalf of applicant apply for LMIA?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,878
9,501
But it can be this way that one crosses the border and anyone from inside canada on behalf of applicant apply for LMIA?
A LMIA is not a work permit. You need to apply for a work permit and it is processed from your country of citizenship. So if crossing the border, you need a US visa to enter and then return. Do you have a US visa? You cannot flagpole. CBSA may not process at a border crossing because you applied outland. Do you have a LMIA?
 
  • Like
Reactions: ahmad456

ahmad456

Full Member
Feb 15, 2023
36
0
A LMIA is not a work permit. You need to apply for a work permit and it is processed from your country of citizenship. So if crossing the border, you need a US visa to enter and then return. Do you have a US visa? You cannot flagpole. CBSA may not process at a border crossing because you applied outland. Do you have a LMIA?
If lets suppose i get US visa. What should be the process i should do to get job offer and LMIA and then apply for work permit.
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,878
9,501
If lets suppose i get US visa. What should be the process i should do to get job offer and LMIA and then apply for work permit.
If you are in Canada and do not have a US visa, just getting an interview takes many months. Where are you from? Your application is processed from home country after February 28. You have so many threads going with the same question. After February 28, you cannot apply inland for a LMIA and it is processed outside Canada. You will need to leave Canada and once work permit is approved then re-enter.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ahmad456

ahmad456

Full Member
Feb 15, 2023
36
0
If you are in Canada and do not have a US visa, just getting an interview takes many months. Where are you from? Your application is processed from home country after February 28. You have so many threads going with the same question. After February 28, you cannot apply inland for a LMIA and it is processed outside Canada. You will need to leave Canada and once work permit is approved then re-enter.
i am from pakistan.I understand that i have to leave canada and apply for work permit from outside canada.

But my question is will i be able to get LMIA(employer restricted) inside canada and then based on LMIA i will apply for work permit from outside canada?
 

Naturgrl

VIP Member
Apr 5, 2020
44,878
9,501
i am from pakistan.I understand that i have to leave canada and apply for work permit from outside canada.

But my question is will i be able to get LMIA(employer restricted) inside canada and then based on LMIA i will apply for work permit from outside canada?
It is possible but given processing for a work permit from Pakistan is 67 weeks then it will be a challenge. You need to find an employer willing to wait over a year for approval and may still be refused.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ahmad456

ahmad456

Full Member
Feb 15, 2023
36
0
It is possible but given processing for a work permit from Pakistan is 67 weeks then it will be a challenge. You need to find an employer willing to wait over a year for approval and may still be refused.
ohhh... that is a challenge