Can I change my work permit? (Company problems)

[Rafeo]

Hi,

I came to Canada(BC) 1year ago on a work permit sponsored by a Canadian company. Permit is valid for 2years(1year more). Along with me came my spouse, she get spousal open work permit valid for 2years.

Unfortunately, things was going bad and it's even worse now. Company I work for is a total nightmare, I get to a point that I'm depressed and don't know what to do. I just wish I could change the company, or do my own thing ( I used to be self employed in Europe).

I've spent so much money to come to Canada and settle here so I don't really want to come back with debts.

Few questions:
1. Is there a chance to change my work permit for open work permit or maybe a work and holiday visa( I never had one before)

2. If I would quit my job, does my spouse lose her spousal open work permit imidiately?

3. Is there anything I can do to get out of this toxic company that ruins my life and still stay in BC?


Hope someone can help, really can't handle it much more.

 

[scylla]

Hi,

I came to Canada(BC) 1year ago on a work permit sponsored by a Canadian company. Permit is valid for 2years(1year more). Along with me came my spouse, she get spousal open work permit valid for 2years.

Unfortunately, things was going bad and it's even worse now. Company I work for is a total nightmare, I get to a point that I'm depressed and don't know what to do. I just wish I could change the company, or do my own thing ( I used to be self employed in Europe).

I've spent so much money to come to Canada and settle here so I don't really want to come back with debts.

Few questions:
1. Is there a chance to change my work permit for open work permit or maybe a work and holiday visa( I never had one before)

2. If I would quit my job, does my spouse lose her spousal open work permit imidiately?

3. Is there anything I can do to get out of this toxic company that ruins my life and still stay in BC?


Hope someone can help, really can't handle it much more.

1. To change to a new closed work permit you need a new job offer and your new employer needs to obtain an approved LMIA. For the holidsay visa, where are you from? Some allow applications when you're not living in your home country and some don't.
2. Your spouse can keep the SOWP and continue working.
3. You can quit now and remain legally in Canada as long as your work permit is valid. Of course working for someone else requires a new work permit.

 

[Rafeo]

Thanks so much for such a quick answers!

I'm from Poland.

I've just checked and I'm eligible for express entry, to bad for me it take about 6months. Does that mean I have to keep working for the same company during that time? I really don't know If I can do it then, I would love to switch company as soon as possible.

Is there a chance to get work & travel visa then work for different company and apply for express entry during that year of work &travel?

 

[Rafeo]

You can explore AIPP if you don't geographically restrict yourself. It's way faster than Express Entry.

I'm all about BC, many friends and my place to be... Instead of current work problems :/

 

[scylla]

Thanks so much for such a quick answers!

I'm from Poland.

I've just checked and I'm eligible for express entry, to bad for me it take about 6months. Does that mean I have to keep working for the same company during that time? I really don't know If I can do it then, I would love to switch company as soon as possible.

Is there a chance to get work & travel visa then work for different company and apply for express entry during that year of work &travel?

Unfortunately the IEC visa / Working Holiday Visa is a no go for this year. There are only a limited number of visas available and they are all effectively already gone for this year. So you would have to wait for the 2020 program to open before you can apply - which means you wouldn't have the work permit until sometime in 2020.

Note that for Express Entry, you don't just have to qualify but also must have enough points to be selected. Right now you need to have 460+ points to be picked out of the pool. How many points do you have per the calculator?