Pharmacy Assistant/Pharmacy - Is open work work permit an option

[LadyJ7107]

So many barriers to working in Canada. Are there any open work permit options that someone with Pharmacy education or background can move to Canada? Apparently to complete the accreditation program with Ontario College of Pharmacists you MUST have an open work permit. Plus 2 year accreditation process. You can work for an employer who can sponsor you but you can only get a closed work permit. To work fully and get paid properly, you need your accreditation but can't get accreditation without an open. You can't get a study permit unless you are registered in school. What are the options available outside of spousal sponsorship?

 

[scylla]

So many barriers to working in Canada. Are there any open work permit options that someone with Pharmacy education or background can move to Canada? Apparently to complete the accreditation program with Ontario College of Pharmacists you MUST have an open work permit. Plus 2 year accreditation process. You can work for an employer who can sponsor you but you can only get a closed work permit. To work fully and get paid properly, you need your accreditation but can't get accreditation without an open. You can't get a study permit unless you are registered in school. What are the options available outside of spousal sponsorship?

- Study Permit: Come to Canada as an international student and complete a full time program that is at least 8 months long as a recognized school. You will then qualify for an open work permit after you finish your full time studies based on the duration of your program.
- Spouse is on a Study Permit: If your spouse comes to Canada as an international student for full time studies, you then qualify to apply for an open work permit.
- Spouse is on a Work Permit: If your spouse is in Canada on a work permit, you then qualify to apply for an open work permit.

There are no open work permit routes specifically targeting those with pharmacy backgrounds.

 

[LadyJ7107]

Trying to avoid more school registration when education is already complete. The Canadian credentials are earned outside of traditional school and through the accreditation organization. The accreditation process itself will take 2 years. Going back to school when you already have the required education will extend this even further

 

[Naturgrl]

Trying to avoid more school registration when education is already complete. The Canadian credentials are earned outside of traditional school and through the accreditation organization. The accreditation process itself will take 2 years. Going back to school when you already have the required education will extend this even further

So try and improve your score to get invited through Express Entry or PNP.

 

[scylla]

Trying to avoid more school registration when education is already complete. The Canadian credentials are earned outside of traditional school and through the accreditation organization. The accreditation process itself will take 2 years. Going back to school when you already have the required education will extend this even further

This doesn't change the options available to you.

As said in the response above, you can instead look at applying for PR directly through an economic immigration stream like Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). This would be the other path you can take if you meet the program requirements and have enough points to be selected.

 

[canuck78]

In terms of foreign pharmacist accreditation you won’t be able to get a study permit to do it. You will need to get PR and then attempt to pass PEBC and OSCE followed by the accreditation process. Market is pretty saturated.