Post-grad work permit, Expiry date, work, and PR

[Kh4545]

Hello everyone,

I am a PhD graduate from a top Canadian university. I am a bit confused about what steps I should take now.

My information:
-I have a 3 year post-graduate open work permit that will expire in almost (less than) a year.
-My passport is also expiring at the same time (actually the work permit length is around 2 years, and 11.5 months because of my passport expiry date!).
-I am not currently in Canada (for the past few months, I have been in my country of origin, which is NOT visa exempt).
-I have a year of Canadian work experience.
-I don't have a language score yet, but think will get a good score.
-I used the online express entry tool and it seems that I "potentially" will get the required points to be selected for express entry.

I am looking for jobs (Level A) in Canada most likely outside Quebec, in a University or a research institute. I think the minimum length of job contracts in these places is minimum one year. Although I am not sure if I can get a shorter contract, it may be possible - in that case I expect that there will be a lot of troubles:
Question: With my current post-graduate open work permit expiring in less than a year, will I be able to sign a job contract for a year with that institution in Canada? in that case, could I later, let say in a few months, apply for another work permit? so that I can continue until the end of the year or even renew/extend my job for another year or so?
Should I apply for the express entry to overcome this problem (I am afraid that this will take too long)?

I would really appreciate all your helps,

 

[Ellianna]

Hello everyone,

I am a PhD graduate from a top Canadian university. I am a bit confused about what steps I should take now.

My information:
-I have a 3 year post-graduate open work permit that will expire in almost (less than) a year.
-My passport is also expiring at the same time (actually the work permit length is around 2 years, and 11.5 months because of my passport expiry date!).
-I am not currently in Canada (for the past few months, I have been in my country of origin, which is NOT visa exempt).
-I have a year of Canadian work experience.
-I don't have a language score yet, but think will get a good score.
-I used the online express entry tool and it seems that I "potentially" will get the required points to be selected for express entry.

I am looking for jobs (Level A) in Canada most likely outside Quebec, in a University or a research institute. I think the minimum length of job contracts in these places is minimum one year. Although I am not sure if I can get a shorter contract, it may be possible - in that case I expect that there will be a lot of troubles:
Question: With my current post-graduate open work permit expiring in less than a year, will I be able to sign a job contract for a year with that institution in Canada? in that case, could I later, let say in a few months, apply for another work permit? so that I can continue until the end of the year or even renew/extend my job for another year or so?
Should I apply for the express entry to overcome this problem (I am afraid that this will take too long)?

I would really appreciate all your helps,

There should be a reason for extending your work permit. There can be two options:
1. If employer can sponsor you though obtaining LMIA, then you have to stay with this employer as this will be closed work permit. And employers aren't very interested in obtaining LMIA as it will cost them money and not necessarily will result in positive LMIA which you will need in order to apply to the new Work permit.
2. Apply to Express entry with the hope that you will get invitation before the expiry of your current PGWP and after invitation submit all the paper work and receive AOR and with that paper you will be able to apply to BOWP and extend your work permit for another year.

 

[Kh4545]

There should be a reason for extending your work permit. There can be two options:
1. If employer can sponsor you though obtaining LMIA, then you have to stay with this employer as this will be closed work permit. And employers aren't very interested in obtaining LMIA as it will cost them money and not necessarily will result in positive LMIA which you will need in order to apply to the new Work permit.
2. Apply to Express entry with the hope that you will get invitation before the expiry of your current PGWP and after invitation submit all the paper work and receive AOR and with that paper you will be able to apply to BOWP and extend your work permit for another year.

Thank you very much for your reply. Your answer helped a lot with the second part of my question.

In regard to my main question, I have not yet applied for a job, and doesn't have a contract yet. So do you think I can have/sign a contract (with employers such as research institutes) for a year while my PGWP is currently valid for only 10 months? Can I use your option#2 after I received the "one year" contract and started working there?

Best regards.

 

[Ellianna]

Thank you very much for your reply. Your answer helped a lot with the second part of my question.

In regard to my main question, I have not yet applied for a job, and doesn't have a contract yet. So do you think I can have/sign a contract (with employers such as research institutes) for a year while my PGWP is currently valid for only 10 months? Can I use your option#2 after I received the "one year" contract and started working there?

Best regards.

Your employer will see that your working permit is valid for 10 months, if they agree to hire you no matter what I see no problem with that. Option #2 you can always to use.