IEC Work Permit Extension - Change Employers?

[Sunflower92]

Hey everyone,

I applied for a work permit extension and a few days later the IRCC responded via a letter saying I can continue to work until a decision has been made. My work permit has been OPEN, not closed, however in the letter it said the following:

"Please attach this letter to your present work permit Number as proof that you are authorized to continue working with the same conditions (ie: employer and occupation) until [wont disclose date here]. You must continue to respect all employer, occupation and location conditions and restrictions listed on your present work permit until a decision is made on your application"

Does this mean I can't switch employers while it is being processed? To me it makes sense that i could switch employers since my permit thus far has been open, however these two sentences have thrown me off. I've tried to ask IRCC three times for clarity but they just keep referring me to the website..

This is pretty critical to my situation right now so please let me know if im correct in thinking i can still switch employers for now.

Thanks,

 

[Naturgrl]

Hey everyone,

I applied for a work permit extension and a few days later the IRCC responded via a letter saying I can continue to work until a decision has been made. My work permit has been OPEN, not closed, however in the letter it said the following:

"Please attach this letter to your present work permit Number as proof that you are authorized to continue working with the same conditions (ie: employer and occupation) until [wont disclose date here]. You must continue to respect all employer, occupation and location conditions and restrictions listed on your present work permit until a decision is made on your application"

Does this mean I can't switch employers while it is being processed? To me it makes sense that i could switch employers since my permit thus far has been open, however these two sentences have thrown me off. I've tried to ask IRCC three times for clarity but they just keep referring me to the website..

This is pretty critical to my situation right now so please let me know if im correct in thinking i can still switch employers for now.

Thanks,

You cannot extend an IEC so how did you do that? For IEC, you need to enter the pool again and be selected. if you are not eligible for a WHV then you may be eligible for professional one. You need to show that you are eligible for a WP.

 

[Sunflower92]

You cannot extend an IEC so how did you do that? For IEC, you need to enter the pool again and be selected. if you are not eligible for a WHV then you may be eligible for professional one. You need to show that you are eligible for a WP.

I see what I've done here, so it is in fact a work permit i have. I originally applied for IEC and then they offered a work permit, which is what I've been on this whole time. Sorry for the confusion. Clearing that up, are you able to shed any light on my question? Appreciate your time

 

[Naturgrl]

I see what I've done here, so it is in fact a work permit i have. I originally applied for IEC and then they offered a work permit, which is what I've been on this whole time. Sorry for the confusion. Clearing that up, are you able to shed any light on my question? Appreciate your time

So you have an approved LMIA from your employer to apply for a closed work permit. If you have the LMIA number then that is what you include in your application.

 

[Sunflower92]

So you have an approved LMIA from your employer to apply for a closed work permit. If you have the LMIA number then that is what you include in your applicati

Apologies but I'm a little confused by what you're saying as I don't have an LMIA from my employer, I'm not sure how you got to that conclusion as I didn't mention that anywhere nor does it answer my question.

 

[Naturgrl]

Apologies but I'm a little confused by what you're saying as I don't have an LMIA from my employer, I'm not sure how you got to that conclusion as I didn't mention that anywhere nor does it answer my question.

But how are you eligible for an open work permit if your IEC is expiring? You cannot extend an IEC. Maybe I am missing something as you never mentioned that you applied for another IEC WHV. So I cannot answer your question until you explain how you are eligible to extend and for an open work permit.

 

[Sunflower92]

But how are you eligible for an open work permit if your IEC is expiring? You cannot extend an IEC. Maybe I am missing something as you never mentioned that you applied for another IEC WHV. So I cannot answer your question until you explain how you are eligible to extend and for an open work permIt

I've been on an open work permit, so just assume that that's all good and that's what expired which is why i applied for the extension, I'll try to lay it out clearly below:

• The IRCC gave me an open work permit for 2 years.
• A month before it expired i applied for an extension.
• The IRCC sent me a letter saying I can continue working under the same conditions etc. while they make a decision.
• So what I'm confused about is if I'm able to apply to work somewhere else and therefor switch employers while they are coming to a decision on my extension, as the way the letter says the same conditions i.e employer etc. but my permit thus far has been open

 

[Naturgrl]

I've been on an open work permit, so just assume that that's all good and that's what expired which is why i applied for the extension, I'll try to lay it out clearly below:

• The IRCC gave me an open work permit for 2 years.
• A month before it expired i applied for an extension.
• The IRCC sent me a letter saying I can continue working under the same conditions etc. while they make a decision.
• So what I'm confused about is if I'm able to apply to work somewhere else and therefor switch employers while they are coming to a decision on my extension, as the way the letter says the same conditions i.e employer etc. but my permit thus far has been open

Even though you cannot extend an IEC that is why you are being asked for WP proof of extension so expect refusal but you can work under same conditions of IEC. Ask for a WP extension letter to continue working.

 

[Sunflower92]

I've not applied for another job yet so I'm not being asked for WP proof of extension. I also said already that I have been on work permit and that they have accepted my application for an extension but haven't made a decision yet.

Is there anyone else who can help?

 

[Naturgrl]

I've not applied for another job yet so I'm not being asked for WP proof of extension. I also said already that I have been on work permit and that they have accepted my application for an extension but haven't made a decision yet.

Is there anyone else who can help?

IRCC has your application so work under current conditions of IEC which is an open work permit until response. Have a plan if work permit is refused because you will be out of status.

 

[canuck78]

Hey everyone,

I applied for a work permit extension and a few days later the IRCC responded via a letter saying I can continue to work until a decision has been made. My work permit has been OPEN, not closed, however in the letter it said the following:

"Please attach this letter to your present work permit Number as proof that you are authorized to continue working with the same conditions (ie: employer and occupation) until [wont disclose date here]. You must continue to respect all employer, occupation and location conditions and restrictions listed on your present work permit until a decision is made on your application"

Does this mean I can't switch employers while it is being processed? To me it makes sense that i could switch employers since my permit thus far has been open, however these two sentences have thrown me off. I've tried to ask IRCC three times for clarity but they just keep referring me to the website..

This is pretty critical to my situation right now so please let me know if im correct in thinking i can still switch employers for now.

Thanks,

The issue is this is not an actual plan because you are not entitled to the OWP so it won’t be approved. You need an actual plan if your goal is to remain in Canada. Some employers are also reluctant to hire without the confirmed WP.

 

[Sunflower92]

I've been on an open work permit for 2 years so why would i not be entitled to one now? And why give me the option to to apply for an extension and then send me a letter saying they've accepted my application and will get in touch when they have reached a decision if I can't apply for an extension?

Appreciate the help again, sorry to make this all confusing

 

[Naturgrl]

I've been on an open work permit for 2 years so why would i not be entitled to one now? And why give me the option to to apply for an extension and then send me a letter saying they've accepted my application and will get in touch when they have reached a decision if I can't apply for an extension?

Appreciate the help again, sorry to make this all confusing

IEC permits cannot be extended unless you enter the pool and get another IEC. There are only a few ways to extend an open work permit - passport or biometric expiry, SOWP extension etc. You are given the option because the system doesn't kick out those who are not eligible until refusal. Many people apply for "fake" extensions and just want to work a few extra months before refusal is given. So in essence you have applied for a fake extension and you wait for response.

 

[Sunflower92]

Seriously? Oh my god well thats just great. Do they at least give you notice when they refuse it or do they just say you have to leave Canada immediately? I applied and on the form it asks for the reason why and so I put down that its to stay while im waiting for them to invite me for a permanent residency/ express entry (nothing express about it, ive been waiting 10 months).

 

[Naturgrl]

Yes seriously. An IEC is not eligible for extension...why would you think that? If refused, you will be immediately out of status. Whether you can remain in Canada depends on when your original work permit expires. What is your CRS score.