Is it possible to extend the WHV?

[ckexploration]

Hello all,

I have been reading for a while now in this forum but I can't find the perfect match for my problem...
I came to Vancouver in May 2011 with a Work and Holiday Visa and was working with a company until the end of 2011.
As a Geologist I am in the Professional Skilled Worker Group and could apply for a Temporary Foreign Worker Visa, valid for 2 years, if I have an offer for employment from a company, which would then turn into Permanent Residency after these 2 years. Right???
My problem is that most of the companies have jobs starting in May and that's when my WHV will expire.
Is there any chance to extend the WHV or stay in the country until I find a job and can apply for the BC Nominee Program?
I have a girlfriend here and I would hate to have to go back to Germany and leave the country!!!
She would do anything possible for us to stay together!
Any ideas someone?
Would it be an idea if she would sponsor me? Do we have to get married? 
My visa is valid until May 2012!

Any help is appreciated, thank you very much!!!

Cheers,
Christian

[scylla]

For your girlfriend to sponsor you, you must either be married or common law (common law = have lived together for a minimum of one full year). Even if she does sponsor you, there's no guarantee you will have PR by May.

You can't extend a working holiday visa. In some cases you can apply for a second holiday working visa - in other cases you are only allowed the one. It will depend on which country you're from. If you do a search for Canadian working holiday visa and the name of your country - you should be able to find this information easily.

Alternatively, your employer can apply for a Labour Market Opinion and if the LMO is approved, you can then apply for a closed work permit.

[terry2011]

Hi Christian

I guess you could apply to extend your work permit, but maybe your profession needs a LMO from HRSC and has to be requested for your employer, having that you can submit the renovation of the work permit, but the process for LMO is taking around 15 weeks or more to process, so it is very important that if you  decide to go for that way, do it as soon as possible (at least 3 months before your work permit expire).. but first of all, you have to confirm that the program on how you come from and your profession quailify.. visit this website

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/temp_assessment.shtml

Good luck!