I'm an international student and have a study permit. I just finished my first semester. However, some company they would like to hire me and give me an offer. Can I apply for a work permit under this situation? That means I give up my study and begin to work. How likely is IRCC will approve my application?
Can I change my status from a study permit to a work permit?
- Thread starter cilin
- Start date
You can’t apply for a work permit with only a job offer. The company must pay $1,000 and file for a LMIA. They need to prove that they could not hire a Canadian or PR to do the job. The application includes a market assessment and describes how hiring you will expand their business. The process will take many months so ask your employer to start the process. Once approved (if approved) then you apply for a closed work permit. This takes months to process too.
Ok, thanks for that information. Now I know the key is the employer's processing, not mine, and if I have an open work permit everything is simple.
Well not only the employer’s time to process LMIA, but your processing time for a closed work permit. You can only work for that employer. On an open work permit as a student, you can work up to 20 hours and for any employer unless you have conditions on your permit.
They want to hire me as a full-time employee, but i am in the first year of study. It is impossible to get an open work permit for me. How about the co-op work permit? If I have it, can I work full time?
You can't work as a full-time employee, only up to 20 hours per week. You have an open work permit for up to 20 hours off-campus. Co-op work permits are if your program is a co-op program, and your school authorizes that your employment is a condition of your graduation. If they want to hire you full-time, they need a LMIA, and then you need a closed work permit.
An open work permit is not possible in this situation.
You need to apply for a closed work permit. A closed work permit requires your employer to get an approved LMIA.
ok, so if they can do everything for me, can I apply for a closed work permit as a student? I'm afraid that IRCC will say I am here to study, but I begin to work full time. I break the rule, and they reject my work application and even cancel my study permit. It just doesn't pay.
If they can get an LMIA approved then you can apply for a closed work permit. There are no issues with that.