Dear forum members,

I'm graduated in 2007 in Ukraine, Bachelor of Computer Science. Currently I'm doing my internship as a network administrator, here in Ontario. I came here in December 2009 and now have 5 month left before April 30, when my work permit expires. My employee is offering me a permanent job.

From what I know, I can apply for immigration as a skilled worker with permanent job offer, but - my current job offer "must be valid both when you apply for a permanent resident visa and when the visa is issued". So I'm not sure how long it take to process my application.

Second option is to apply for the temporary work permit within Canada, but I'm not sure if I can: I can't extend my internship - it was extended once and can't be extended any longer(max term is 18 month); don't know if they will give me a work permit for a permanent job?

Question: What are the options I have and what's the best way to immigrate for me?

Thanks for your time!

It is unlikely that a permanent resident application will be completed by April 30 2011. As such, if you intend to remain within Canada, you must apply first for a new work permit, probably on the basis of a LMO approval. You can then consider a Skilled Worker permanent resident application in parallel or subsequently on the basis of Arranged Employment, or the possibility of a Canadian Experience Class application at a later date.

Thanks for your answer David.

So, I should apply for a Work Permit.
I'm following the Work Permit Self-Assessment Tool and have few questions:
1) What is your status in Canada? worker/student/other?
if I answer worker:
2) Which of the following situations apply to you?
a) extend work permit that has not expired

but, I can not extend it - the max term of this internship is 18 month, so I can't extend it any longer. I have to get a new one with same employer except it's not an internship but a permanent job. Is this possible? How?