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Can I leave my job while application for PR is in process?

Jenya

Member
Jul 4, 2013
15
0
Hello! I really need some help to figure out what can I do. ???

I applied for PR under CEC in August 2013 and got my AOR. My work permit expires in December 2014, so I'm not eligible to apply for OWP, but I really want to leave my job in couple months. Is it possible to do so, apply for tourist visa (or OWP) and just wait for PR? Or can I just quit a job and stay in Canada with my current visa and WP? Will it impact on my PR application? The reason I am not looking for another job is LMO. It takes 2-3 months and nobody wants to do it. And am I right that after getting PR I wouldn't need LMO to get a job?

Thank you for any advices!
 

sabidhawan

Star Member
Jul 14, 2011
155
3
First of all yes, you can leave you job as requirement is to have 1 year experience not to continue working. Secondly you can apply for BOWP which is valid for 1 years . Its open work permit so you can work for same or new employer
 

jsm0085

Champion Member
Feb 26, 2012
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Jenya said:
Hello! I really need some help to figure out what can I do. ???

I applied for PR under CEC in August 2013 and got my AOR. My work permit expires in December 2014, so I'm not eligible to apply for OWP, but I really want to leave my job in couple months. Is it possible to do so, apply for tourist visa (or OWP) and just wait for PR? Or can I just quit a job and stay in Canada with my current visa and WP? Will it impact on my PR application? The reason I am not looking for another job is LMO. It takes 2-3 months and nobody wants to do it. And am I right that after getting PR I wouldn't need LMO to get a job?

Thank you for any advices!
If you quit your job your WP is still valid. You won't be able to work for anyone else if it's a closed permit but it allows you to legally stay in the country. As long as you can support yourself financially, I don't see any problem.
 

jsm0085

Champion Member
Feb 26, 2012
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sabidhawan said:
First of all yes, you can leave you job as requirement is to have 1 year experience not to continue working. Secondly you can apply for BOWP which is valid for 1 years . Its open work permit so you can work for same or new employer
The OP cannot apply for BOWP because there is longer than 4 months remaining on WP. Depending on dates, the earliest they could apply would be Aug 2014.
 

sabidhawan

Star Member
Jul 14, 2011
155
3
jsm0085 said:
The OP cannot apply for BOWP because there is longer than 4 months remaining on WP. Depending on dates, the earliest they could apply would be Aug 2014.
I was in similar situation . My work permit was valid til dec 2014 but i still got BOWP approved. Just make sure you put convincing enough reasons in your explanation letter .
 

Jenya

Member
Jul 4, 2013
15
0
sabidhawan said:
First of all yes, you can leave you job as requirement is to have 1 year experience not to continue working. Secondly you can apply for BOWP which is valid for 1 years . Its open work permit so you can work for same or new employer
Thank you, sabidhawan! It's great news! Should I apply for BOWP while still working or I have to quit my job first?
 

jsm0085

Champion Member
Feb 26, 2012
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sabidhawan said:
I was in similar situation . My work permit was valid til dec 2014 but i still got BOWP approved. Just make sure you put convincing enough reasons in your explanation letter .
And understand that this is very much dependant on the VO. As far as the guidelines for BOWP go, you wouldn't be eligible at this point.
 

Jenya

Member
Jul 4, 2013
15
0
jsm0085 said:
If you quit your job your WP is still valid. You won't be able to work for anyone else if it's a closed permit but it allows you to legally stay in the country. As long as you can support yourself financially, I don't see any problem.
Great, thank you! I'm willing to do some freelance work for living so it's not a problem, I just needed make sure it's legal to stay if you quit a job. Thanks again for good news!
 

sabidhawan

Star Member
Jul 14, 2011
155
3
BOWP is usually given for you to continue working. In my case I was laid off so i gave teh reason that i need to continue working to stay in the work force . If you are already working chances of getting BOWP will be very slim . They really dont care if you dont like your employer for any reason as long as you are employed .
 

LPS

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Aug 7, 2013
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sabidhawan said:
BOWP is usually given for you to continue working. In my case I was laid off so i gave teh reason that i need to continue working to stay in the work force . If you are already working chances of getting BOWP will be very slim . They really dont care if you dont like your employer for any reason as long as you are employed .
Basically this. Remember that BOWP provides a "bridge" across a period of time in which you are otherwise unable to work - i.e. between an expired work permit and permanent residence. That's the whole point of it.

OB485a specifically says the BOWP is not available to work permit holders with more than four months remaining. You may convince the VO otherwise if you have a compelling-enough reason, but that's a big "if".
 

scylla

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Jun 8, 2010
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Jenya said:
Great, thank you! I'm willing to do some freelance work for living so it's not a problem, I just needed make sure it's legal to stay if you quit a job. Thanks again for good news!
Keep in mind that freelance work is still work. So if you freelance without an open work permit you'll be working illegally. Probably not worth the risk of getting caugh given how close you are to getting PR status.
 

Jenya

Member
Jul 4, 2013
15
0
scylla said:
Keep in mind that freelance work is still work. So if you freelance without an open work permit you'll be working illegally. Probably not worth the risk of getting caugh given how close you are to getting PR status.
That's true, thank you for noticing this! I'll keep it in mind.
 

Konan1982

Champion Member
Mar 22, 2012
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Jenya,

Also keep in mind that VO may return your application if something missing or no signature or something else..
 

lpc19800

Champion Member
May 21, 2013
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Canada
Category........
Visa Office......
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Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
January 14 2013
AOR Received.
February 24 2013
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November 13, 2013
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VISA ISSUED...
January 6, 2014
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Konan1982 said:
Jenya,

Also keep in mind that VO may return your application if something missing or no signature or something else..
This could happen with any application
What point are you trying to make?
 

Konan1982

Champion Member
Mar 22, 2012
1,329
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Konan1982 said:
Jenya,

Also keep in mind that VO may return your application if something missing or no signature or something else..
Not to quit the job and continue working maybe duties are wrong or title so that HR can help..anyway my point not to quit job.