Do I need a work visa to work as a Personal Support Worker?

[McMcR]

I am planning to visit my boyfriend in a few months. There is a 5 months course to become a PSW in Ottawa. Since it is under 6 months long. I am able to take the course under a visitor visa. Now once I get the certification, am I able to work without a work visa?
Say it was a job offer from an elder? Or a child or young adult with disabilities?

What about an open work permit? How do those work?

I do plan on marrying my boyfriend and applying for sponsorship eventually. We are both trying to get schooling out of the way first. So when I heard back from the school. I had so many questions going through my head about how would I work in Ottawa with that certification.


HELP ANYONE. Thank you.

 

[scylla]

Yes - you can take the course on a visitor visa because it is less than six months. No - you won't be able to work without a work visa after completing the course. You also will not qualify for an open work permit. If you want to work after completing this course, you'll need a job offer and an approved LMO - and then you'll have to apply for a work permit.

 

[McMcR]

How would I get a positive LMO? What is that exactly?

 

[scylla]

The employer who wants to hire you is the one who has to get a positive LMO - not you. Details here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employers/lmo-basics.asp

 

[McMcR]

Okay so if I have a job offer, the person who wants to hire me will have to file an application and proof that no one else fits the job? What if it's not an owned company, just a family or someone needing help?

 

[McMcR]

Also, if I was to contact various employers who have posted on job sites with job offers, and I let them know my situation and about needing a work visa, Is that all I really have to let them know? It's up to them if they still want to give me the offer and file for an LMO?

 

[scylla]

You still need the LMO - even if an individual is hiring you.

If you are applying for jobs, you'll need to let the employer know that you cannot legally work in Canada and require a work permit. It's up to the employer to decide if they want to offer you a job based on this (unfortunately most probably won't).

 

[McMcR]

If they do still decide to offer me a job. How long under they get anything back about the LMO being positive? and how long until I am able to work for them?

 

[scylla]

Hard to say exactly. But I would count on the entire process taking a few months. This is one of the reasons why many employers are hesitant to hire foreign workers.

 

[Stumpedmom]

A couple of hints for you...I would check that the 5 month program for PSW is a recognized program. I know for a fact, that there are a lot of PSW programs out there that are not recognized by the Colleges and Training as proper programs.

http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/personal-support-worker-in-ontario-how-does-it-differ-from-other-canadian-provinces-614837.html

http://www.ocsa.on.ca/?page=70

Also, to get an approved LMO for a PSW, the chances are slim to nil. There is an extreme overabundance of PSW's in the province of Ontario, who can not find work as it is. Pretty much the employer has to prove they can not find a suitable candidate who is a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident before you can get an approved LMO, and as I said, there are more PSWs in the province than there are PSW jobs. I am actually having to go back to school.

For sure look into the program before you pay anything to do it, as they have now regulated all of the PSW programs, and in order for it to be recognized it is supposed to be a full year of college with a whole lot (5 weeks of full time clinical) plus all the clinical through the second semester.

I attached some links for you that will explain more info to you about the PSW programs, and requirements...hope this helps...

 

[scylla]

Great info!

 

[McMcR]

The program is at an adult school. Not a college.

Is there a way to find out if it is official? I don't want to attend the program and it not offer me anything.

 

[Stumpedmom]

Great info!

Thanks so much Scylla...missed being around here since approval last year...

I just don't want the OP to think that just by paying the fees, they will be "certified", the province is in process of having ALL PSW's become registered now and you have to PROVE you took a recognized program.

As a PSW, I recommend to everyone I talk to lately, DO NOT take the program as there are NO jobs...as it is, I have to travel an hour one way just to have a job, hence the reason I am going back to school...AGAIN!!!

 

[Stumpedmom]

The program is at an adult school. Not a college.

Is there a way to find out if it is official? I don't want to attend the program and it not offer me anything.

Ask the school if it a recognized program by the Ministry of Colleges and Training, and ask them for a course outline. I would take that outline and compare it to a college outline and see if there is the same courses and requirements....

 

[McMcR]

Okay I will definitely do that. The course outline is available online at the schools website. But I will definitely look into it. I don't want to take a course if its not going to do anything for me. I do remember the lady saying I would get 4 certificates. So I'm crossing my fingers that it's legit.

As for the no jobs. I see tons of job listings on various websites. All being very recent.