I am a highly qualified professional now in Canada as a visitor and can't return to my country to apply there for a Work Visa and cannot travel into USA (Buffalo). I read in the CIC website (Home » Working Temporarily in Canada » The Worker’s Role) that it is possible to get a Temporary Work Permit within Canada. Is that really possible ? If it does, what is the procedure to follow ? Finding a job for me in Canada won't be difficult at all but I want to make sure that the above is possible. Thanks.

You may be eligible to apply for a work permit while you are within Canada. This may entail submission of the case to a visa office outside of Canada, however, or applying for a change of terms within Canada in certain cases. In either case, the application for a work permit or change of terms would follow the issuance of a labour market Confirmation by HRSDC.

The following may apply seek a new work permit within Canada:

• Holders of work or study permits and their family members
• Persons who don’t require a work permit who are applying for secondary employment in Canada, who have been working for at least three consecutive months in Canada and are not business visitors. Family members of these persons may apply before three months have passed if they satisfy an officer that the principal worker will work for at least three months. Applying to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada 13
• Holders of temporary resident permits (TRPs) valid for a minimum of 6 months and their family members
• Refugee claimants and persons subject to an unenforceable removal order
• In-Canada permanent resident applicants and their family members who are members of the following classes, determined eligible for permanent resident (PR) status: live-in-caregiver, spouse or common-law partner, protected persons, and humanitarian and compassionate considerations (H&C)
• Persons whose work permits were authorized by a visa office abroad, where the permit was not issued at a port of entry.
• Mexican citizens who have been admitted to Canada as visitors may apply for a work permit under any North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) category. U.S. citizens admitted as visitors may apply in Canada under the Professional or Intra-company Transferee NAFTA categories only. These provisions are in accordance with reciprocal arrangements.