Work Permit Expiring during the Pandemic

[shubhamvarma]

Hello everyone,
I am on a 1-year work permit which expires on 26th of June 2020. I wanted to apply for my PR as I do have the points as per the point calculator but the only problem is that I do not have a General IELTS result with me because of which, I cannot apply for my PR and cannot enter the pool.
Now because my Work Permit expires so soon, my SIN also expires on the same date and I won't be able to work in Canada after the 26th.
I would be needing some advice as to what can I do to restore my status in Canada and continue working after the expiration date of my SIN. Taking the IELTS Test would only be possible after the lockdown has ended and I have no clue as to when would that happen.
To add, I have been trying to book tests since the month of February but, again, no luck, because all the appointments are being cancelled/rescheduled.
Thanks for reading and helping.
P.S. - I did check for the option of applying for a Work Permit Extension but was unable to get through because you have to have applied for your PR if you want to apply for a Bridge Work Permit.

 

[canuck78]

Hello everyone,
I am on a 1-year work permit which expires on 26th of June 2020. I wanted to apply for my PR as I do have the points as per the point calculator but the only problem is that I do not have a General IELTS result with me because of which, I cannot apply for my PR and cannot enter the pool.
Now because my Work Permit expires so soon, my SIN also expires on the same date and I won't be able to work in Canada after the 26th.
I would be needing some advice as to what can I do to restore my status in Canada and continue working after the expiration date of my SIN. Taking the IELTS Test would only be possible after the lockdown has ended and I have no clue as to when would that happen.
To add, I have been trying to book tests since the month of February but, again, no luck, because all the appointments are being cancelled/rescheduled.
Thanks for reading and helping.
P.S. - I did check for the option of applying for a Work Permit Extension but was unable to get through because you have to have applied for your PR if you want to apply for a Bridge Work Permit.

Unfortunately you may have to change to visitor status. What kind of work permit do you currently have? Does your employer have an LMIA or are you in an LMIA exempt job? What type of express entry program are you applying for? Do you have a spouse or common law partner who is a Canadian citizen or PR?

 

[shubhamvarma]

Hi There, Thanks for the reply. I am currently on an Open Work Permit which was issued after a 1 year Post Grad Diploma course. My job is under NOC Code - B but I do not know if my employer has an LMIA. I am applying through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and I am single. I have already completed 1 calendar year of my Canadian Work Experience. The only thing that I am short of is my IELTS Test result. I have all the rest of the supporting documents. The issue here is just the English test that I am NOT GETTING A CHANCE to give since February 2020!

 

[scylla]

Hello everyone,
I am on a 1-year work permit which expires on 26th of June 2020. I wanted to apply for my PR as I do have the points as per the point calculator but the only problem is that I do not have a General IELTS result with me because of which, I cannot apply for my PR and cannot enter the pool.
Now because my Work Permit expires so soon, my SIN also expires on the same date and I won't be able to work in Canada after the 26th.
I would be needing some advice as to what can I do to restore my status in Canada and continue working after the expiration date of my SIN. Taking the IELTS Test would only be possible after the lockdown has ended and I have no clue as to when would that happen.
To add, I have been trying to book tests since the month of February but, again, no luck, because all the appointments are being cancelled/rescheduled.
Thanks for reading and helping.
P.S. - I did check for the option of applying for a Work Permit Extension but was unable to get through because you have to have applied for your PR if you want to apply for a Bridge Work Permit.

Unfortunately you don't qualify for an extension unless your employer has already obtained an approved LMIA for your specific job. Have you asked your employer about this? If not, you should do this as soon as possible.

If your employer does not have an approved LMIA, you'll need to apply to change your status to visitor before your work permit expires if you want to remain in Canada. Unfortunately this means you will need to stop working as soon as your work permit expires. If you do this, unfortunately you won't qualify for a bridging open work permit since you must be holding a valid work permit at the time you apply.

 

[shubhamvarma]

Oh, sure, I would do that right away and ask my employer for the LMIA thing. Once I have applied for my permanent residency, would I be able to apply for a Bridge Work Permit then?
And it is also said that there is a 90 day period that CIC provides you to restore your status in Canada, do I still need to apply for a visitor's visa?
I am panicking now because I have really few options and the time is ticking with an axe over my head.

 

[scylla]

Oh, sure, I would do that right away and ask my employer for the LMIA thing. Once I have applied for my permanent residency, would I be able to apply for a Bridge Work Permit then?
And it is also said that there is a 90 day period that CIC provides you to restore your status in Canada, do I still need to apply for a visitor's visa?
I am panicking now because I have really few options and the time is ticking with an axe over my head.

No - you won't qualify for a bridging open work permit once you have applied for PR. You must be holding a valid work permit and have submitted your PR application to qualify for a BOWP. Since your work permit is expiring so soon, you won't meet the BOWP requirements and won't qualify to apply.

The 90 day period is for restoring your status if you are out of status in Canada / in Canada illegally due to your visa expiring. You do not want to end up out of status in Canada since you cannot apply for PR while in Canada without status. Yes, you absolutely must apply to change your status to visitor before your work permit expires if you want to remain in Canada legally.

 

[shubhamvarma]

So, I won't be able to work at all until I have my PR then? Because my permit is expiring on the 26th of June and I won't be able to apply for my PR before the mid of July at least because of the lockdown.
Would CIC not provide any extension considering the situation worldwide?

 

[scylla]

So, I won't be able to work at all until I have my PR then?

You would only be able to work again if your employer is willing and able to get an approved LMIA. Once the LMIA is approved, you would be able to apply for a closed work permit.

 

[Vijenderprasad]

Same situation with me i am on a workpermit and i have applied for my pr ainp through express entry i got a nomination but in a draw i didnt got any respond and last month may 22 my ielts has expired and my work visa gonna expired in dec due to covaid ielts exam is postponed i dont know what to do kindley plz help me out