How do I continue to work in Canada?! (Danish Citizen)

[cjanssen]

I am currently a Danish citizen and received IEC approval to work in Canada for one year. After a few months I realized I would like to stay here long term. This permit expires in 4 months and I cannot figure out what to do to stay/work after looking into many options which are detailed below:

-Get another IEC: Danish citizens are only allowed in this program once
-Many programs such as FSW require over a year of full-time work in Canada to apply

It is so hard to get accurate/consistent information on this, so I hope someone can help me out!

Thank-you in advance

 

[scylla]

If Danes are only allowed to apply for one IEC - then you can't get another.

If you want to remain in Canada and work then your only immediate option is for your employer to obtain an approved LMIA so that you can then get a closed work permit tied to that specific employer. It typically takes a few months to get an LMIA. So your employer needs to start now. If your current employer isn't willing to go through the LMIA process, then you'll have to find a new one who is.

 

[cjanssen]

My employer will definitely do that for me. However, won't I still need at least 1560 hours (One year full time) of work before I would be able to do this?

 

[scylla]

No - you don't need any minimum number of hours.

However your employer will have to advertise your job for at least a month to prove no Canadian could be found for the role - and also pay a $1,000 processing fee for the LMIA.

 

[cjanssen]

After I hit my minimum hours to apply to become a permanent resident, would employers still need to go through the LMIA process?

Thank-you for all your insights

 

[scylla]

After I hit my minimum hours to apply to become a permanent resident, would employers still need to go through the LMIA process?

Thank-you for all your insights

For you to extend your work permit? Yes - an LMIA will still be required.

Note that getting one year of work experience doesn't necessarily guarantee you can obtain PR. You should read up on the new Express Entry program to understand the process you will now have to follow to apply.

 

[cjanssen]

Do you know much about getting/using an open work permit in Canada?

 

[scylla]

Do you know much about getting/using an open work permit in Canada?

I'm not sure I understand your question.

There are very limited circumstances under which an open work permit can be granted. One such circumstance is if you have applied for PR under one of the economic classes and your application has been confirmed as accepted for processing. If you have this - and also still have a valid work permit - then you can apply for a bridging open work permit. Unfortunately with only four months left on your work permit you don't have enough time for all of this to be possible. So that's why you need to go the LMIA route with your employer.

 

[cjanssen]

Thank-you for all the help so far. I just have a few more questions about CEC for Express Entry.

1. Can you apply for this program once you have hit the designated full-time hours (1560) or do you also need to be present in Canada for more then one year as well.
2. If it needs to be one year; does my time visiting beforehand count as well? I have been on and off visiting for over 2 months the year before.
3. Do you have to wait to apply until these hours are reached, or can we start the process now?
4. Can I complete the language skills test before meeting these hours?
5. If I am waiting to here back on my PR after application how long am I allowed to be a visitor w/o working?

Thanks again for all the help. I truly appreciate it.

 

[PMM]

Hi

Thank-you for all the help so far. I just have a few more questions about CEC for Express Entry.

1. Can you apply for this program once you have hit the designated full-time hours (1560) or do you also need to be present in Canada for more then one year as well.
2. If it needs to be one year; does my time visiting beforehand count as well? I have been on and off visiting for over 2 months the year before.
3. Do you have to wait to apply until these hours are reached, or can we start the process now?
4. Can I complete the language skills test before meeting these hours?
5. If I am waiting to here back on my PR after application how long am I allowed to be a visitor w/o working?

Thanks again for all the help. I truly appreciate it.

1. You have to have worked for 52 weeks consecutively with a minimum of 30 hours per week to be eligible for CEC in a NOC A, O or B occupation.
2. No, only working time counts
3. You have to wait until you meet the criteria in 1.
4. Yes, the IELTs or CELPIP is valid for 2 years.
5. You can apply for an extension as a visitor, but whether you get it or not is another question.