Working Holiday

[Nezumi]

Hello,
I have a couple of questions about Working Holidays IEC program. First, let me describe my situation. I'm Polish citizen and college student in Canada (study permit). In March I'm going to graduate and I'm looking for opportunity to gain some working experience in Canada. To do so I will need an open work permit. Unfortunately I don't qualify for post graduate work permit, so I need something else. I thought about IEC Working Holidays. It would be great for me, but from what I understand I need to apply from inside of my home country (that means I will need to fly there just to apply then come back to Canada, rather inconvinient).
I'd like to ask If It isn't possible to apply from inside of Canada? If no maybe there are some other chances for me to get the work permit?

 

[canadavisa13]

Hi Nezumi,
you can try applying for a work permit through the LMO route(this type of work permit is not open,its specific to one employer,one job title and one location,also called closed work permit).
before you apply for a closed work permit you need to find an employer who is willing to apply for an LMO(labour market opinion) on your behalf and once the employer receives a positive LMO you can apply for a work permit to the CPC in vegreville alberta using the valid lmo along with a job offer.
if your student visa is expiring in march you need to act now because the lmo takes a while to be processed.

good luck and happy new year

 

[Nezumi]

Thanks for fast reply. From what I heard from my teachers It's close to impossible for me to get a job in the industry I want to work in without open work permit (I don't have any experience, so It will be hard to get a job in general, especially without WP). As Polish citizen I can stay in Canada without any permit or visa up to 6 months so I think I can apply even after graduation.

So If I get it right I can either get closed WP (which I can't get) or fly back to Poland and apply for open Working Holidays from there. I'd preffer not to have to fly back and forth but If it's the only option that is probably what I'm going to do. Thanks for help.

btw. not sure if it matters but I'm studying and intend to work in British Columbia

 

[canadavisa13]

you are welcome

yes you can stay in canada up to 6 months as a polish citizen but you still need to apply either to the cpc vegreville in alberta or go to the nearest border to switch your status from student to visitor before its expired to continue remaining in canada legally otherwise you will lose your temporary status.
since you are in british columbia as a student you can check their immigration website to see if they have any programs for people like you to be nominated to become a permanent resident,that also will depend on your study field and your future job if its in demand or not within british columbia.