Expiring Open Work Permit - Do I need an LMO to renew?

[Nikinix]

Hi,
I came to Canada from Croatia on an open work permit. It expires in March 2011. I am currently employed with a company (non-skilled - just basic physical labour), and I have a letter from them outlining my current duties, wage, hours etc. They told me they will not apply for an LMO. Do I need an LMO in order to get a renewed work permit? Or am I able to apply for an open work permit again without an LMO? Any insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[scylla]

How did you qualify for an open work permit the first time around?

 

[Nikinix]

Through an agency in Croatia I applied and was accepted. The forms for applying once you are already living Canada is not the same as when you are applying from another country for the first time.

 

[job_seeker]

Did you come to Canada thru IEC?

Through an agency in Croatia I applied and was accepted. The forms for applying once you are already living Canada is not the same as when you are applying from another country for the first time.

 

[Nikinix]

Yes, that is how I obtained open work permit last march.

 

[sttn]

How did you qualify for an open work permit the first time around?

I have seen spouses of foreign workers arriving in Canada with open work permits. Isn't that wierd to get an open permit for some one who applied for the first time, is it?

 

[job_seeker]

Check the slots/spots for IEC Croatia and see if there are still slots left and apply again. I don't know if you can do that from within Canada though.

Yes, that is how I obtained open work permit last march.

 

[Nikinix]

There are 275 spots still available, but I don't think it is possible to re-apply for this program within Canada.

 

[job_seeker]

You would have to leave Canada then and apply from Croatia. Hopefully by the end of your WP, there are still open slots. Or you can find a new employer willing to file for LMO for you and apply for a new work permit (LMO takes so long to process nowadays ), and you'd have to maintain a valid status while waiting for the process to complete. Hmmmmm, you're probably better off going back to Croatia and apply from there.

There are 275 spots still available, but I don't think it is possible to re-apply for this program within Canada.

 

[Nikinix]

Oh dear, that is very bad news

 

[Nikinix]

Is it possible to get a new work permit without an LMO?

 

[scylla]

Is it possible to get a new work permit without an LMO?

No it's not possible. You either need the LMO or you need to return home and apply again for IEC.

 

[sttn]

None skilled jobs DO require a LMO

 

[Nikinix]

Thank you all so much for your help!

 

[scylla]

Good luck!