Commonlaw Sponsorship and extending Open Work Permit

[Auntjemima123]

Hello. I am trying to help my girlfriend gain permanent residency in Canada through commonlaw sponsorship.

She came here last June on a working holiday visa and was granted an open work permit that expires this June.

We are eligible to apply for commonlaw sponsorship and the open work permit that is available during the 1 year processing time 6 months after her current work permit expires.

I am trying to figure out the best way to bridge the 6 month gap and I am wondering if her current work permit can be extended as she still qualifies for the "young worker" special programs (which I believe is the working holiday program for people under 30).

Is it possible to extend the current work permit in this situation and are there other options and better ways for us to stay together in Canada while we wait to qualify for commonlaw partner sponsorship?

 

[scylla]

Hello. I am trying to help my girlfriend gain permanent residency in Canada through commonlaw sponsorship.

She came here last June on a working holiday visa and was granted an open work permit that expires this June.

We are eligible to apply for commonlaw sponsorship and the open work permit that is available during the 1 year processing time 6 months after her current work permit expires.

I am trying to figure out the best way to bridge the 6 month gap and I am wondering if her current work permit can be extended as she still qualifies for the "young worker" special programs (which I believe is the working holiday program for people under 30).

Is it possible to extend the current work permit in this situation and are there other options and better ways for us to stay together in Canada while we wait to qualify for commonlaw partner sponsorship?

What country is she from?

 

[Auntjemima123]

What country is she from?

Korea

 

[scylla]

Korea

She's on an IEC / Working Holiday Visa now by the sounds of it. Unfortunately those from Korea are only allowed one participation of 12 months. So she's already used up the one chance she has.

Option you have would be to get married so that you can sponsor her for PR now.

Otherwise she will have to change to visitor status and stop working when her IEC expires.

 

[Auntjemima123]

She's on an IEC / Working Holiday Visa now by the sounds of it. Unfortunately those from Korea are only allowed one participation of 12 months. So she's already used up the one chance she has.

Option you have would be to get married so that you can sponsor her for PR now.

Otherwise she will have to change to visitor status and stop working when her IEC expires.

Is it possible to get a new work permit from her employer instead of the open work permit granted by her holiday visa

 

[scylla]

Is it possible to get a new work permit from her employer instead of the open work permit granted by her holiday visa

Yes - but the employer needs to obtain an approved LMIA. This is a very involved process for the employer (expensive, long, no guarantee of approval). Most employers aren't willing to do it. But no harm asking.

 

[Auntjemima123]

Yes - but the employer needs to obtain an approved LMIA. This is a very involved process for the employer (expensive, long, no guarantee of approval). Most employers aren't willing to do it. But no harm asking.

One of her co-workers (also from Korea) allegedly has already gotten an extended work permit from the company. Does that mean the process is already done or does it need to be done again?

 

[scylla]

One of her co-workers (also from Korea) allegedly has already gotten an extended work permit from the company. Does that mean the process is already done or does it need to be done again?

The LMIA is individual to each employee. It needs to be done again.