Co-op intern over 30

[n8th8n]

I'm a student in Australia, 33yo, that has been accepted by a Canadian firm for a 4 month paid co-op placement, as a requirement for my degree. Being over 30, this means I am not eligible for an 'international experience Canada' visa, but may apply for a temporary work visa. It is quite hard to get any useful information from the Canadian consulate, as they don's accept telephone inquiries, and it seems the only way they respond to email inquiries is to tell you to read their website. At this point I've spent many hours trawling the CIC, Canadian consulate, etc websites, used the various wizards, and even searched through legislation and regulations, but they don't answer all my questions, and I'm still unsure of how to proceed.

Filling out IMMI1295E (application for work permit made outside Canada):

- Which work permit should I be applying for? ( I think 'other', but it's hard to find what the requirements are for 'other')
- If I choose a non-'International Experience Canada', does the company have to apply for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO)? Note: the website that explains LMO exemptions www .cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-permit.asp

If anyone is able to assist, or able to advise me on who may be able to assist?

 

[scylla]

Your employer needs to obtain an approved LMO before you can apply for a work permit. You won't be able to submit the work permit application until your employer obtains an approved LMO - so focus on the LMO first.

Unfortunately your position is not LMO exempt.

 

[n8th8n]

Oh, are you sure about this? The exemption categories are not explained in much detail on the CIC website, so I wasn't sure if I'd fall into one of these.

How about the work permit category? Do you know much about these?

 

[amira_mais]

What's unusual about your case is that you're not studying in Canada, you're just doing your co-op placement here. You do need a work permit for sure. You most likely need an LMO as well but it would be best to call CIC (1-888-242-2100) to verify since there aren't too many cases like yours. If your placement is being offered under the terms of a reciprocal agreement between Canadian and Australian institutions, that could qualify you for an LMO exemption.