Hello,

I don't know if this question has already been answered, and I'm sorry if it's being asked for the umpteenth time, but I could use some guidance.

I have a bachelors undergrad degree from University of Toronto and have worked over a year full-time in an NOC 0122 finance job and am currently employed in said job. I would like to apply for Permanent Residency but am worried my current work permit will expire while I wait.

Is it possible for me to apply for a work permit extension while waiting for my PR?

I currently have an open work permit, is it possible to apply for an open extension or will it be job-specific? If my permit expires and I have yet to receive my PR, will I have to leave the country?

I love Canada and would love to stay, and would appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks,

S

Assuming that your current open work permit is under the post-graduation program, renewal is not generally possible. You can however seek to change the terms of such, which would typically mean an employer specific work permit, and may mean the necessity of a Labour Market Opinion. If a PR application is pending but temporary status expires, then you would be expected to leave the country until the PR status is granted.

Hi David, I appreciate your prompt response. I am currently in the Post-Grad Work Permit.

Just to clarify, can I apply for a new work permit while my PR application is still pending?

Yes.

Hi David,

I am in the same situation Haddock is in. My Post Grad Work Permit expires at the end of March 2011 and I just submitted my application for the Canadian Experience Class Permanent Residency.

I know that the process will take about 8 months, and I was hoping to extend my current Work Permit by at least a year since it says on the CIC web site that "the validity period of the work permit must not be longer than the period of study of the graduate at the particular post-secondary institution in Canada." If I did a 4 year program at UofT but my Work Permit was only for almost 3 years (2 years and 10 months to be specific), would they still deny the extension?

Thanks you!!

Charlotte

The maximum duration of post-graduation work permits is presently 3 years. Extension beyond that may require LMO Confirmation or another exemption for such for approval.

I like your concise answers. I'll try to be brief in my questions. My postgraduate work permit xpires July 2011. I have a permanent job NOC B, but my employer will not fill LMO so wont help me get a new work permit. Im now preparing my PR application under category 2. Im looking for ways to ensure that on PR issue date I still have a valid work permit (im guessing that a decision will be made 1 year from now). My questions are:
1) If I go work for my church, or for a charity for no pay, can I apply for an LMO-exempt work permit? (I would apply before my current PGWP expires).
2)If Im issued with a new work permit under religious/charitable work, will this ensure Im not disqualified when being issued PR? Or is it required that at PR issue date you are still at the job you applied with+still have the same type of work permit you had at time of applying?
3)If I get a live-in caregiver work permit, will I be safe on PR issue date?
Im in Toronto and its really difficult at the moment to get positive LMO. Please advice.