I am a full time undergraduate student from the US and would like to become a permanent resident eventually. I need more work experience and need to take time off from studies as they're getting too expensive. My permit is valid until 2015. How would I go about changing this to a work permit if possible and would I be able to stay here in Canada during that process or would I need to return to the states (could I maintain study permit until/if work is approved?) Thanks so much!
How can I change study permit to work permit when already in Canada?
- Thread starter Fawnsong
- Start date
You'll need to find an employer willing to provide you a LMO, then apply for the work permit. It will be tied to that employer only. You aren't eligible for an open work permit until after graduation.
You can stay in Canada until your study permit is up (or work permit if you change, because it will cancel the study permit).
Are you working now? If you've been full time for at least six months, you do qualify for an off campus work permit. It's good for up to 20 hours a week.
You can stay in Canada until your study permit is up (or work permit if you change, because it will cancel the study permit).
Are you working now? If you've been full time for at least six months, you do qualify for an off campus work permit. It's good for up to 20 hours a week.
Either you have to leave it blank or enter in all zeros. Some companies that do online applications won't accept either for an answer. That's a good sign they don't hire foreigners.
Unless you have specialized skills that are in demand in your province, you're going to have a difficult time finding a job. Most employers do not and will not hire foreign workers unless they have an open work permit. I have been searching in vain for 18 months now, applying at many different types of jobs. Gotten hired multiple times until they realized I needed a LMO, then the offer was withdrawn. It's difficult for companies to prove they cannot find a suitable employee already in Canada to get the LMO. Plus many companies just don't want to deal with the hassle.
Good luck.
Unless you have specialized skills that are in demand in your province, you're going to have a difficult time finding a job. Most employers do not and will not hire foreign workers unless they have an open work permit. I have been searching in vain for 18 months now, applying at many different types of jobs. Gotten hired multiple times until they realized I needed a LMO, then the offer was withdrawn. It's difficult for companies to prove they cannot find a suitable employee already in Canada to get the LMO. Plus many companies just don't want to deal with the hassle.
Good luck.
Yeah before I came here to study I considered a work permit but it would have been too difficult before actually living here. I looked on the website of job descriptions and I'm a bit confused, it says managerial positions, but then lists other jobs in the descriptions. I am not a graduate, so it will not be a post graduate work permit. Does my job have to be in management or are all the jobs on the list applicable? Thanks 
You aren't eligible to get an OWP from what you've told us. Those only apply in certain situations. Having a Canadian boyfriend and wanting to stay in Canada isn't one of them. Being married to Canadian and living together in Canada isn't one of them either..... as I well know.Fawnsong said:
I'm not sure what list you're looking at. Most LMO jobs I'm familiar with are nanny/live-in caregiver and fast food. In Alberta, we also hire Long Haul truckers and some construction workers on LMOs, but that's provincial only. If you're refering to the CEC - Canadian Experience Class - certain management positions do qualify. However, in the time it takes you build that experience, you can already qualify for common-law sponsorship with your boyfriend if you live together. In fact, in that time, you'd be well into the processing time if you plan it out.
For fun, go to Kijiji (www.kijiji.ca) and select your local site. Type "LMO" in the search field and check out the results. I'll bet you'll see a bunch of people searching for a LMO job and very few jobs (except nannies) offering a LMO. In fact, you might even see more jobs saying "NO LMOS!" versus ones that will actually provide a LMO.
I'm not trying to discourage you, but you need to understand the reality of the situation. Getting a job as a foreigner in Canada is a lot harder than you think.
You have a couple of options.
1. You could continue your studies but apply for an off campus permit which would allow you to work up to 20 hrs. a week during the semester and full time on holidays.
2. If you want to work full time and discontinue your studies, you need to find an employer who will apply for an LMO for you in order for you to apply for a work permit. Like others have said, that might not be easy. Employers prefer Canadians over the hassle of LMO's, besides, they don't get an LMO if there are Canadians available for the job.
You could also combine 1. and 2. by getting the off-campus work permit and during that time also continue to look for an employer who will apply for an LMO for you.
3. You could marry your boyfriend and he could sponsor you for permanent residency. It will take several months but with a PR, you can study and pay local fees instead of international fees or you can work.
1. You could continue your studies but apply for an off campus permit which would allow you to work up to 20 hrs. a week during the semester and full time on holidays.
2. If you want to work full time and discontinue your studies, you need to find an employer who will apply for an LMO for you in order for you to apply for a work permit. Like others have said, that might not be easy. Employers prefer Canadians over the hassle of LMO's, besides, they don't get an LMO if there are Canadians available for the job.
You could also combine 1. and 2. by getting the off-campus work permit and during that time also continue to look for an employer who will apply for an LMO for you.
3. You could marry your boyfriend and he could sponsor you for permanent residency. It will take several months but with a PR, you can study and pay local fees instead of international fees or you can work.
I understand its a difficult process as it was my first idea but a study permit seemed better. I suppose I was referring to the CEC not LMO- are CEC not eligible for me? I have work experience but none in Canada yet. Could a receptionist position be an acceptable job for getting PR, assuming I'm able to secure a job? Thanks
To qualify for CEC you need to complete one full year of skilled work experience in Canada first. If you've never worked in Canada then you don't qualify for CEC.Fawnsong said:I understand its a difficult process as it was my first idea but a study permit seemed better. I suppose I was referring to the CEC not LMO- are CEC not eligible for me? I have work experience but none in Canada yet. Could a receptionist position be an acceptable job for getting PR, assuming I'm able to secure a job? Thanks
Like scylla said, you need to work in Canada before you are eligible to apply under CEC. Either you complete a 2 year or longer course, graduate and then work a skilled job for a year or you forget about studies and work a skilled job for 2 years in which case you would need an LMO and a work permit first.Fawnsong said:I understand its a difficult process as it was my first idea but a study permit seemed better. I suppose I was referring to the CEC not LMO- are CEC not eligible for me? I have work experience but none in Canada yet. Could a receptionist position be an acceptable job for getting PR, assuming I'm able to secure a job? Thanks
A receptionist position will not cut it for immigration as it is considered a semi-skilled position. You can find the NOC Matrix here: http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/noc/english/noc/2011/Occupations.aspx?val=1 You see receptionist is on there under 1414.
The way you tell a high skill job from a low skill job is like this:
When the first digit is 0, it is a manager position like 0213 for example, you just look at the 0, no other digits are important. This is a skill type 0 job.
When the first digit is not 0, the 2nd digit is the important one.
If it is 0 or 1 like 3012 or 1121 for example, then it is a skill level A job.
If it is 2 or 3 like 3213 or 6311 for example, then it is a skill level B job.
If it is 4, like receptionist, 1414, it is a skill level C job which is considered semi-skilled and if it is 6 it is skill level D which is considered low skilled. Skill level C and D are no good for CEC. There are only a handful of C and D level positions that are allowed under a couple of provinces PNP's. Otherwise, they do not have good immigration options.
I don't see why not but call CIC first to make sure.
An update on CEC, they now only require 1 year of skilled work for all applicants, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp
That means you do not need to complete a 2 year course any more and then work for 1 year, you can just work for 1 year. However, you still would need a work permit and a 2 year course is very good in order to get you a 3 year open work permit.
An update on CEC, they now only require 1 year of skilled work for all applicants, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp
That means you do not need to complete a 2 year course any more and then work for 1 year, you can just work for 1 year. However, you still would need a work permit and a 2 year course is very good in order to get you a 3 year open work permit.
Hi,
i am also an international student and currently in the initial stages of my masters... i would also like to know the chances of getting a positive lmo in the long haul trucking industry??? although i have no prior work experience but i plan to get a class 1 license and get some exp on my part-time work permit...
i am also an international student and currently in the initial stages of my masters... i would also like to know the chances of getting a positive lmo in the long haul trucking industry??? although i have no prior work experience but i plan to get a class 1 license and get some exp on my part-time work permit...
amikety said: