HELP - Can I apply for a work permit that allows me to work in Canada?

[guillermochile]

Hi there,

I need to get to Canada asap. My girlfriend fled from Chile and she's waiting for me in Canada. As far as I know, the quickest possibility for me to get there is to apply for an LMO -luckily I have a job offer in Vancouver. But, the processing time for that is 4-6 months... too long!

I saw here cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus-who.asp that I would first have to be a full-time student for the preceding 6 months of the application.

So, I would like to know the following:

- If I can apply for a student permit that also allows me to work there, since I need to sustain myself. And if it is possible, how long will it take?

- What does it mean to be a full time student since programmes are different? Could I enrole in a short programme at nights or mornings and get the off-campus work permit?

- Any suggestions? I just want to get to Canada as asson as I can.

Thank you very much for your help.

G

 

[amikety]

It sounds like you're trying to fast track your way into Canada. Bad news.... there isn't a fast track.

If you want the work permit, you'll need to wait for the LMO to come through. If you want the study, you must genuinely want to study, because they won't consider giving you a work permit until 6 months is past and then it's only valid for 20 hours per week while school is in session.

If you enroll in a short term program (six months or less) you won't get a study permit. Those programs aren't eligible for a study permit. You will have to hope you're allowed into Canada as a visitor and there's no option to work.

Keep in mind, that once you get the LMO, you still have to apply for the work permit and wait for that to come in. The LMO and the work permit aren't the same thing. Processing is separate for both. You can no longer apply for the work permit without your LMO.