Hello all,

My wife and me are currently in Canada. She is a Permanent Resident (immigration of skilled person), and she is sponsoring me for my PR application within Canada. This process, according to the estimation on the CIC website, will take me around 10 to 12 months.
I am holding a French passport, and presently have a visitor status, and I am wondering whether I can get an open working permit, so I can work during that (long...) processing time, and find more easily a job, because most of the employers are reluctant when I say that I need a positive LMO for a working visa...

Before, I was working in the IT field as a software developer. I saw that the LMO may not be needed for this profession. However, if I am lucky and I find a kind employer, my employer still has to contact the HRSDC, and I can apply for a working permit at the same time, right? But should I apply outside Canada or I can apply within Canada without leaving Canada?

Thank you for your help!

Regards,

D.v.d

If you are in processing an inland sponsorship, then you can obtain an open work permit only after you receive approval-in-principle. Prior to such time, you would need to seek a work permit under standard provisions including, potentially, the IT worker program (Service Canada does decide these cases). It would typically be necessary to process your application for a new work permit at a visa office outside Canada.