Work Permit and Residency in Canada

[Visalakshi]

Hi All,
I am in India and going to marry a Permanent resident in Canada. Can I apply for a open work permit from India? If so, what would be the processing time? If I go on an open work permit, is it possible to change my status to Permanent Resident by applying a PR inside Canada?

Please suggest if there is any other best way available to work as well as reside in Canada

 

[scylla]

No - you cannot apply for an open work permit from India.

To qualify for an open work permit, you have to be married and must already be physically in Canada as a visitor. Your spouse then needs to sponsor you for PR using the inland application route and include an open work permit application with the application package. The OWP will be approved around four months after you submit the complete application package.

 

[Visalakshi]

Thanks scylla.
So what do you think is the best way to reach Canada and stay with him once I get married.
If in case my current employer offers me a work permit, can I go there and change my resident status to PR?
I think going for spouse sponsorship would be a long route from India as the processing time is around 12 months.
Please let me know the best way possible to immigrate.

 

[scylla]

You should be posting your questions in the Family Sponsorship section of the forum.

The short answer is that you can apply for a TRV (tourist visa) to come to Canada - although no guarantee that will be approved. The work permit option is a difficult one because your Canadian employer doesn't just have to give you a job offer but must also obtain an approved LMIA and prove no Canadian could be hired for the role. Obtaining an approved LMIA is typically a 4-6 month process.

 

[ja_jamal]

If in case my current employer offers me a work permit, can I go there and change my resident status to PR?

If your employer offering you the Work permit (LMIA exempt) then you can get it in 2-3 months. This should be a better option for you, depends on your company you may get your work permit for 2 years and extend it as well till you get your PR.

 

[Visalakshi]

Thanks scylla and jamal for your help.