My partner and I are both Irish and currently in Canada, working as supervisors for a landscaping company. Our visas are set to expire, but we want to stay. We've heard that extending our stay can be quite difficult. What options would you recommend for us to continue living and working in Canada.
Seeking Advice on Extending Our Stay in Canada
- Thread starter shuabhs2
- Start date
I'm assuming you are here on IECs / Working Holiday Visas?
If you want to stay a few more months as visitors without working, then you would apply for a visitor record. You'll need to stop working as soon as your work permits expire.
If you want to continue working, then at least one of your employers would need to obtain an approved LMIA so that you can switch to a closed work permit. This is a fairly involved process for the employer which takes time and money. Many employers are not willing to go through the process. If you haven't already, speak with you employer about this now to see if they are willing. Failing that, you would need to find another employer willing to go through this process.
There are also options to extend your ability to work if you have applied for PR and have been selected / nomination. This is again a more involve process and you'll have to first determine if you have enough points / if you qualify. Depending on how much time is remaining on your work permits, this may or may not be realistic. This also depends on your overall profiles (i.e. level of education, language abilities, skilled work experience, what provinces you are in, etc.). Start by reading up on the Express Entry program.
