Don't understand open work permit

[ozipin]

Hi!

I'm Ukrainian who recently moved to Ontario (CUAET). Got open work permit for 3 years, immediately started working. I'm a Software Enginner with extensive experience, worked and lived in different countries before.

My CRS is 345.

I have 2 related questions.

Do I understand correctly, that my open work permit is under non-immigrant programs ?

Does that mean I have to go though this process: open work permit -> work permit (LMIA) -> ... -> PR ?

Can I get additional points for being employed in Canada ? Is getting LMIA for my position will help me ?

I think I'm totally confused about my current status.

Doesn't look like I'm eligible for any provincial programs with Job Offer requirement. Do I need to get job offer with LMIA ?

 

[scylla]

Hi!

I'm Ukrainian who recently moved to Ontario (CUAET). Got open work permit for 3 years, immediately started working. I'm a Software Enginner with extensive experience, worked and lived in different countries before.

My CRS is 345.

I have 2 related questions.

Do I understand correctly, that my open work permit is under non-immigrant programs ?

Does that mean I have to go though this process: open work permit -> work permit (LMIA) -> ... -> PR ?

Can I get additional points for being employed in Canada ? Is getting LMIA for my position will help me ?

I think I'm totally confused about my current status.

Doesn't look like I'm eligible for any provincial programs with Job Offer requirement. Do I need to get job offer with LMIA ?

- I don't understand what you mean by "my open work permit is under non-immigrant programs". It's an open work permit that allows you to work for any employer in Canada.
- No, you don't necessarily have to go through the LMIA process in order to get PR. There are ways of qualifying without having a job offer. However this depends on factors such as your job, the province you're living in and how many points you have.
- Once you work in Canada in a skilled job for 1 year full time, this will give you additional points for PR for having a year of Canadian work experience. Research the CEC immigration program.
- If you want to claim the 50 additional job offer points, then your employer would need to get an approved LMIA. So yes, from this perspective an LMIA will definitely help you. Note that your employer is the one who needs to obtain the approved LMIA, not you.
- 345 point is quite low so you definitely want to focus on substanially increasing your points to have a chance of qualifying for PR. You will not get PR through Ontario PNP with a score this low or through the FSW / Express Entry program. It is hard to comment on the CEC program since we don't know what IRCC plans to do with this program in the future and how many points will be needed to be selected. Overall, you need to focus on increasing your points. You should aim for 480+ if possible.