URGENT: Changing Study Permit to Work Permit (dropping the course)

[eo93]

My friend wants to change his VISA from a study permit to a work permit (for a postdoc) while he is on the second Ph.D. in Canada (2nd year). Is it possible? If yes, how he should apply?

I am also curious to know the rules. My friend got an offer and wants to decide as soon as possible.

 

[Naturgrl]

he can't just change his permit to a work permit. When did he graduate from his first Canadian PhD. If less than 6months ago, he can apply for a PGWP. If not he needs a job offer and a postiive LMIA. Then he applies for a closed work permit.

 

[eo93]

he can't just change his permit to a work permit. When did he graduate from his first Canadian PhD. If less than 6months ago, he can apply for a PGWP. If not he needs a job offer and a postiive LMIA. Then he applies for a closed work permit.

Thank you for your response @Naturgrl He got a job offer. He wants to apply for a closed work permit. But, the problem is that he is on a Study Permit (4 years PhD, he is in the second year). He already got his Ph.D. outside of Canada. The question is that should he cancel his study permit first, and leave the university? Then apply for a closed work permit? How will be the possibility of acceptance of his VISA application for a closed work permit? Would he refuse since he is on a study permit? The reason why he wants to leave the university is that he cannot work in the lab in his Ph.D. studentship because of COVID-19. But, if he has a work permit, he can easily enter the lab as a staff, and do the experiments.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you for your response @Naturgrl He got a job offer. He wants to apply for a closed work permit. But, the problem is that he is on a Study Permit (4 years PhD, he is in the second year). He already got his Ph.D. outside of Canada. The question is that should he cancel his study permit first, and leave the university? Then apply for a closed work permit? How will be the possibility of acceptance of his VISA application for a closed work permit? Would he refuse since he is on a study permit? The reason why he wants to leave the university is that he cannot work in the lab in his Ph.D. studentship because of COVID-19. But, if he has a work permit, he can easily enter the lab as a staff, and do the experiments.

A job offer will not get him a work permit. His employer must apply for a LMIA (or be approved if LMIA exempt) and show that they couldn't hire a Canadian or PR.

 

[eo93]

A job offer will not get him a work permit. His employer must apply for a LMIA (or be approved if LMIA exempt) and show that they couldn't hire a Canadian or PR.

@Naturgrl
As I know, he is exempted. No problem in this way. The problem is changing from Study Permit to Work Permit. Should he cancel his study permit, leave university, and Canada, then, he can apply for a closed work permit. Or he can stay in his current study permit in Canada, and wait for the result of the closed work permit.

 

[Daviantarch]

Thank you for your response @Naturgrl He got a job offer. He wants to apply for a closed work permit. But, the problem is that he is on a Study Permit (4 years PhD, he is in the second year). He already got his Ph.D. outside of Canada. The question is that should he cancel his study permit first, and leave the university? Then apply for a closed work permit? How will be the possibility of acceptance of his VISA application for a closed work permit? Would he refuse since he is on a study permit? The reason why he wants to leave the university is that he cannot work in the lab in his Ph.D. studentship because of COVID-19. But, if he has a work permit, he can easily enter the lab as a staff, and do the experiments.

Apologies if my info is misleading. If a student that currently has a valid SP and subject to change for WP, this might lead rejection of his WP. This solely reflects back to the VO looking at the case. The students purpose of visit which should be studies contradicts with his/her action to apply for a job and obtain for a WP.

More else he/she will not be able to work until gotten approval and would be staying in Canada as a temporary resident until he/she gets a decision on the application. Also the SP will be cancelled and he/she could not be able to continue their studies as well. This is quite risky from my point of view.

 

[Naturgrl]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigratio...y/documents/offer-employment/lmia-exempt.html

He needs to be sure his position is LMIA exempted (link). If he drops out of school then he can’t work and must change his status to visitor. He waits and if he is LMIA exempt, processing for the work permit will take months. He should make sure his employer (assume a university) is on board and willing to pay all the fees and paperwork to complete the LMIA (even if exempt). Overall the process can take a long time and be refused in the end. Then he has no study or work permit and is stuck in Canada as a visitor.

 

[eo93]

@Naturgrl

Thanks for your clear explanation. I supposed that and told him it would be very difficult. You know, recently all PhD students have trouble and they cannot work.

I have the same case. I was curious about my friend's case since I am in a similar case. But, I got my PhD in the same university with my friend. I've applied for study permit (a PhD) and got AIP and waiting for more than 8 months. Is it possible to withdraw my VISA application (if I can find a postdoc) and apply for a closed work permit? My friend recommends me to go for postdoc because I cannot do anything in Ph.D. at least until 2022.

 

[Impatient Dankaroo]

@Naturgrl

Thanks for your clear explanation. I supposed that and told him it would be very difficult. You know, recently all PhD students have trouble and they cannot work.

I have the same case. I was curious about my friend's case since I am in a similar case. But, I got my PhD in the same university with my friend. I've applied for study permit (a PhD) and got AIP and waiting for more than 8 months. Is it possible to withdraw my VISA application (if I can find a postdoc) and apply for a closed work permit? My friend recommends me to go for postdoc because I cannot do anything in Ph.D. at least until 2022.

You can do what you want but getting a closed working permit is challenging as stated above.