Some questions about PGWP, PNP and LMO

[alfa2204]

Hi all,
I'm really confused about the PGWP, PNP and LMO. My head is full of questions right now. ???

Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
I have just finished a 1 year M.Sc. program and I'm applying for a PGWP.
- How long is the typical processing time of a PGWP application?
- Is my PGWP likely to be 1 year?
- Is there any chance that it'll be 2 years?

PNP and LMO
I'm negotiating a job offer.
- What should I ask the employer to consider in the job offer (regarding work permit and LMO)?
I plan to apply for PNP (I'm based in Alberta, so the PNP is AINP - Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program, International Graduate Category).
- When PGWP expire and I haven't got AINP, can I extend/apply for a new work permit? If yes, is it an open work permit and do I need a LMO?
- When PGWP expire and I have AINP (but haven't got PR yet), can I extend/apply for a new work permit? If yes, is it an open work permit and do I need a LMO?

I appreciate any advices. Thank you!

 

[jes_ON]

Post Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)
I have just finished a 1 year M.Sc. program and I'm applying for a PGWP.
- How long is the typical processing time of a PGWP application? Not sure - probably 2-3 months.
- Is my PGWP likely to be 1 year? Yes.
- Is there any chance that it'll be 2 years? No, not unless you completed another program in Canada before the 1-year MSc.


- When PGWP expire and I haven't got AINP, can I extend/apply for a new work permit? If yes, is it an open work permit and do I need a LMO?

Unfortunately, the AINP program does not support work permits like some of the other provinces.

So, regardless of your AINP status, you will have to apply for a new work permit (it will be closed-tied to a specific position/employer), and you will have to get an LMO. When your employer applies for the LMO, there is special information if you were originally hired with a PGWP - (it's easier, they don't have do demonstrate recruitment efforts). Here's what they need to know:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/intstugrad.shtml

 

[alfa2204]

^
Thank you very much, jes_ON. I got it.
So basically, I'll have 12 months of PGWP.
After 6 months, I'll apply for AIPN.
After 8 months, I'll have to ask my company to apply for a LMO. (ww.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/intstugrad.shtml)
And in the 4 months left, I'll have to extend my work permit. (ww.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/extend-worker.asp)

But how can they link my application for work permit extension with my company's application for LMO?

 

[shells]

Hi,

I just spoke to an agent to clarify something. If you did not get your LMO and work permit application approved in time before your PGWP expires, then you need to write in to them and explain your situation (2 Weeks before PGWP expires, do not do it any sooner than that). You can continue working while you are waiting for the LMO if you do that.

If I had went across the border (coz I'm from a visa-exempted country) and came back in as a visitor status, then I will not be allowed to work. It would be a big mistake.

Anyway, here are the instructions she sent.

_______________________________________________________________________

Still awaiting the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) confirmation or the Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)

If you are ready to submit a Work Permit application and are still waiting for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) or a Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ), you may submit the work permit application only within 2 weeks of the expiry date of your status and include proof that the LMO/CAQ request was made. You must:

Include a copy of the application sent to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Immigration Québec; or
Include a copy of the receipt confirmation number, if the request was done online; or
Indicate, in section Details of Intended Work in Canada of the Work Permit application:
the date the LMO/CAQ request was sent;
which office it was sent to;
the employer’s name; and
the confirmation number for the submission, if available.

You must contact our Call Centre with the LMO/CAQ confirmation number within 2 months of the reception date of your application; otherwise the Case Processing Centre may refuse the application.


Please note that if you are waiting for your CAQ, you cannot submit the application online. You must submit a paper application. You may fill out the application online and print it or print it and fill it out by hand. You must then send it to the mailing address specified in the Instruction Guide.

_______________________________________________________________________


I was so grateful to have spoken to her.. My god!
My ex-boss (who's willing to apply for LMO for me will come back on the 22nd), we can start then.

 

[jes_ON]

But how can they link my application for work permit extension with my company's application for LMO?

Because generally, you will have to supply the LMO number on the application for the work permit, as well as a copy of the LMO, when you apply for the work permit. (The only exception is if your work permit is expiring within 2 weeks, you have applied for the LMO, but you don't have a response yet. Then you have to provide proof that your employer has applied for the LMO...)

 

[OHKIDDA]

Hi,

I just spoke to an agent to clarify something. If you did not get your LMO and work permit application approved in time before your PGWP expires, then you need to write in to them and explain your situation (2 Weeks before PGWP expires, do not do it any sooner than that). You can continue working while you are waiting for the LMO if you do that.

If I had went across the border (coz I'm from a visa-exempted country) and came back in as a visitor status, then I will not be allowed to work. It would be a big mistake.

Anyway, here are the instructions she sent.

_______________________________________________________________________

Still awaiting the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) confirmation or the Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ)

If you are ready to submit a Work Permit application and are still waiting for a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) or a Certificat d'acceptation du Québec (CAQ), you may submit the work permit application only within 2 weeks of the expiry date of your status and include proof that the LMO/CAQ request was made. You must:

Include a copy of the application sent to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada/Immigration Québec; or
Include a copy of the receipt confirmation number, if the request was done online; or
Indicate, in section Details of Intended Work in Canada of the Work Permit application:
the date the LMO/CAQ request was sent;
which office it was sent to;
the employer's name; and
the confirmation number for the submission, if available.

You must contact our Call Centre with the LMO/CAQ confirmation number within 2 months of the reception date of your application; otherwise the Case Processing Centre may refuse the application.


Please note that if you are waiting for your CAQ, you cannot submit the application online. You must submit a paper application. You may fill out the application online and print it or print it and fill it out by hand. You must then send it to the mailing address specified in the Instruction Guide.

_______________________________________________________________________


I was so grateful to have spoken to her.. My god!
My ex-boss (who's willing to apply for LMO for me will come back on the 22nd), we can start then.

SO, if you're on a pgwp and you do this, do you mail your application to "new employer unit" or "same employer"? In my case, as in yours, we're staying at the same employer, but our current work permit isn't tied to that employer.... is it unit 202 or 555??

 

[shells]

the PGWP is Open work permit, but the NEW Work Permit/LMO is a type of closed work permit. They don't cross over.

I'm not going to stay with my current employer (for the LMO) but go back to my ex-employer. I'm not sure what you mean by 202 or 555, but you can do an online application here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/e-services/work.asp

Online application is faster than mail-in paper application too.

 

[SenoritaBella]

Send it to "same employer unit" since you are not changing employers.

SO, if you're on a pgwp and you do this, do you mail your application to "new employer unit" or "same employer"? In my case, as in yours, we're staying at the same employer, but our current work permit isn't tied to that employer.... is it unit 202 or 555??

 

[shells]

So my guess is, you need to apply for the LMO first. After you get the LMO, then you apply for the work permit, right? Or can you do both at the same time? Or do you do it the other way round, send it work permit application first, then send in LMO later when you get it?

 

[jes_ON]

So my guess is, you need to apply for the LMO first. After you get the LMO, then you apply for the work permit, right? Or can you do both at the same time? Or do you do it the other way round, send it work permit application first, then send in LMO later when you get it?

Your employer (not you) applies for the LMO. They give you a copy for your work permit application. So, yes, the LMO precedes the work permit application.

If your employer has already applied for the LMO, and your work permit will expire within the next 2 weeks, you are then allowed to apply for your work permit with the LMO pending. That is the only situation where they can be processed at the same time.