Temporary Foreign Workers, overseas students, and visitors in Canada have diverse options to extend their stay. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada offers multiple pathways for provisional residents to stay in Canada. This is while waiting for a decision on their temporary or permanent resident application.
A few Temporary Resident Permits can be extended and renewed while some like PGWP – Post-Graduation Work Permit is not. We have here analyzed some popular options for the extension of Temporary Residence:
Table of Contents
Work Permits
Canada Work Permits are categorized into 2 types:
· Work Permits that need neutral or positive LMIA – Labor Market Impact Assessment
· Work Permits that do not need neutral or positive LMIA
The objective of the LMIA is to prove to IRCC the actual need for an overseas worker for a job position. It has to be completed by the employer and not the overseas worker. Many Work Visa programs offer streamlined processes for LMIA t cater to the scarcity of workers.
GTS – Global Talent Stream for instance allows eligible tech firms to evade advertising requirements under LMIA decreasing processing times. Work Permits under GTS are normally processed in 2 weeks.
Most of the temporary overseas workers have work authorization not subject to LMIA. In 2021, 315,000 plus Work Permits exempt from LMIA were approved. It was thrice the number of Work Permits requiring LMIA.
Companies in Canada that have a job ad matching an LMIA-exempted code have to pay a fee for compliance. They have to offer jobs through the employer portal of IRCC. In this way, they can hire under LMIA exempted Work Permit program.
LMIA- exempt Work Permits include Open Work Visas that permit holders to work in any location in Canada for any employer. It also includes those offered under CETA, CUSMA, or any other FTA – Free Trade Agreements with Canada. Work Permits approved under IEC – International Experience Canada program are also included in this category.
Study Permit
If it is relevant to your profession and monetary situation, you can remain in Canada by receiving a Study Permit. You will be permitted to work part-time during the academic sessions and during breaks, you can work full-time.
To obtain the Study Visa, you must first be accepted by a DLI – Designated Learning Institution. You can then apply for the Student Visa using the acceptance letter. Successful completion of the program can qualify you for a PGWP if applying for the first time. You can also qualify for exclusive pathways for PR status for overseas graduate students.
Post-Graduation Work Permit
PGWP can be a pathway for overseas graduate students who have completed a degree at the Post-secondary level at a DLI. They can extend their stay in Canada by working on the PGWP. This is an Open Work Permit implying that the holder is not confined to a single occupation or employer.
Study Programs that have a duration of 8 months plus but lesser than 2 years can qualify for PGWP corresponding to the duration of their course. Overseas students who have completed a 2-year or more duration program can be eligible for 3 years of PGWP.
Bridging Open Work Permit
BOWP allows a few temporary residents to stay in Canada after their temporary status gets lapsed. It is applicable to the following programs:
· Federal Skilled Worker Program
· Federal Skilled Trades Program
· Canadian Experience Class
· Quebec Skilled Workers
· Provincial Nominee Program
· Agri-Food Pilot Program
Many applicants Apply for Canada PR from India through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The success of their application depends on their score under the CRS Calculator.
Spousal Open Work Permit
Spousal Sponsorship can be an option if your common-law partner or spouse is a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. You are regarded as an in-land applicant if you apply for sponsorship from within Canada and qualify for a SOWP. It is designed exclusively for common-law-partners and spouses of residents in Canada whose immigration process is in progress.
Spouses of Temporary Residents can also qualify for SOWP. Temporary Foreign Workers are required to fulfill precise eligibility criteria. It includes among others having a valid Work Visa for 6 months after obtaining the SOWP. They are also required to fulfill any one of the below 4 criteria:
· Work in a NOC – National Occupational Classification skill level of B, A, or 0
· Work in any occupation that is accepted under a stream in AIP – Atlantic Immigration Program
· Work in any occupation having a territorial or provincial nomination from a PNP – Provincial Nominee Program
· Work in any occupation having a CSQ – Quebec Selection Certificate
Book an appointment with Immigration Experts at Nationwide Visas for resolving all your queries relating to your Canada immigration application.
more interesting information about smihub
