Hi David,
I have been following this forum and its really helpful.
Pls help me take a right decision as I am very confused.

I came here on a WP and LMO was not applied / required. Now I got an offer from a different employer and applied for change of work conditions. However WP was rejected referring me to get LMO from the prospective employer.
New employer is in the process of getting an LMO.

1. My visa expires on end of April 2010 and WP expires on June 2010 since I came in on June 2009. Can I apply for a visa extension in Buffalo or do I have to apply for a new visa, could i send my passport or do i personally need to be available in Buffalo.
Pls advice, appreciate your response.

Some of the occupations are exempt from obtaining LMO. If you are changing employers while in Canada, most likely Immigration will request a new LMO. It also depends of an occupation field you're in. The problem is you CAN NOT work for any other employer other than stated in your work permit, until you obtain new LMO and new work permit. In case that your work permit expires, and LMO hasn't been processed yet, you will be given 90 days to restore your status ( additional charges will apply, and it's 200 dollars to restore the status plus a new work permit). Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Dan

Thanks for your response.
Do I need to apply for a new work permit after I get the LMO from my prospective employer or just provide CIC with the LMO.
Also my visa expires on 28th april, I should apply for a visa office outside canada to get the new visa right? If so can I apply for a new visa from here to a office in US and only send my passport and present myself if they insist on a personal appearance.

Pls advice.

Thanks
Sanjay

Rule number one is :

DO NOT ever give your passport to anybody, CIC doesn't require your passport, but a copy of it. So when mailing your application make a color copy of your passport and send it with application. Passport can get lost in mail, and then you will have more problems then what you already have. You can apply at the nearest CIC office, consulate or High Commission outside Canada, which in this case would be either Seattle, WA or Buffalo, NY. The choice is yours. If will probably need to make a new work permit application. Make a payment of $150 dollars + $200 dollars if you status has expired and now needs to be restored. When restoring status you don't have to write anything about it just check the box, but to make sure the officer is satisfied you can write a letter about how did you lose status and what is your plan and next step.

If they want to talk to you make sure the you are always available on your cell, because they might call you for an interview.You don't have to leave the country, unless you switch your status to visitor, and then from visitor want to work or study.

VISA: visa is just a permission to enter Canada, and it does not affect your status here. If your work permit is valid, and visa expired nothing will happen, but if you leave country with expired visa and later want to re-enter, you will have to apply for a new visa at your home country.

I hope this helps.

Hi,
Thanks for your responses.
I still have a doubt wrt applying for new work permit again.
I got the WP rejected referring my prospective employer to get the LMO. Once I get the LMO do I need to apply for new WP or just send the CIC the LMO details.
Pls advice.

Thanks
Sanjay

If CIC DECLINED the application, you will have to make a new one. If they stated to resubmit the old one with a copy of lmo, that's what you need to do,but most likely you will need to apply again.

Appreciate all your respones and suggestions.
Its very helpful.
Thanks again :-)