Please help, urgent, About dependant open work permit inside canada

[ked]

Hi,

I just arrived with my wife to edmonton where she got a study permit for 1 year and I got a visitor visa for six months, now I want to change and extend my status from visitor to Open Work Permit status. I am a little bit confused.

1. Should I use the guidance of IMM 5551E OR THE 5553E? Which one is applicaple to me?

2. Should I pay the fees of $75 or $150?

3. Should I send original Passports or just photocopies of our passports?

4. And can I only send copies of bank statements of my Financial supporter? And how much proof of funds? Coz, I just got cash with me for the moment?

5. Also, to explain the change of my circumstances, from visitor to work permit: Can I clearly write a letter for explanations?

Anyone can please help me. I would really appreciate your help.

Thank You.

[RobsLuv]

You are not eligible for an open work permit unless you are the spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian citizen and you're being sponsored for permanent residence.  It sounds like your wife was granted temporary status to study - and you've been granted status as a visitor so that you can remain in Canada with her while she goes to school.  You can't change your status now from visitor to worker.  The only way you can work is if you find an employer willing to hire you, and that employer can get a positive labour market opinion proving that there are no qualified Canadian applicants for the position.  Then the employer can offer you the job, and using the job offer, you apply through your home embassy for a restricted work permit to work for that employer only, in that position - probably for a maximum of one year.

[Leon]

I disagree with RobsLuv's answer.  Spouses of temporary workers and students can apply for open spousal work permits.

ked: You can call CIC at 1 888 242‑2100 and ask for help.  Since you are applying for a work permit, I believe you should pay $150.  You can either mail the application and wait or if you are visa exempt, you can get it faster by going to the border and applying there.  You should take your spouse with you so you can show the study permit and you should probably take some proof of being married as well.  If you call CIC, they can probably tell you what to bring.