Extending Visa While Waiting for ITA

[meachanrudai]

Hello all,

I submitted my express entry profile in January and my open working visa expires in May. As such I would like to extend my current visa. I'm aware that you can get a bridging visa to tide you over while waiting for the pr process to complete but I've had conflicting advice on it.

What do you guys recommend I do while i wait for my ITA? Apologies if this is the wrong place for this question.

Many thanks.

 

[scylla]

Hello all,

I submitted my express entry profile in January and my open working visa expires in May. As such I would like to extend my current visa. I'm aware that you can get a bridging visa to tide you over while waiting for the pr process to complete but I've had conflicting advice on it.

What do you guys recommend I do while i wait for my ITA? Apologies if this is the wrong place for this question.

Many thanks.

You will only qualify for a bridging visa once you have ITA and have submitted your complete application. Right now you are just in the Express Entry pool and do not qualify for the bridging open work permit. To extend your work permit at this time (before ITA), you most likely need a job offer and approved LMIA.

How many points do you have?

 

[meachanrudai]

You will only qualify for a bridging visa once you have ITA and have submitted your complete application. Right now you are just in the Express Entry pool and do not qualify for the bridging open work permit. To extend your work permit at this time (before ITA), you most likely need a job offer and approved LMIA.

How many points do you have?

I have 460 points. I am currently employed in Canada and did not require a LMIA upon employment, if that matters

 

[scylla]

I have 460 points. I am currently employed in Canada and did not require a LMIA upon employment, if that matters

Unfortunately you need in the range of 470+ points to be selected.

Since you are on an open work permit, you don't qualify for the 50 job offer points unless your employer gets an approved LMIA.

If you want to extend your work permit, you also need an LMIA (unless you have already received ITA and submitted your application).

You may want to look into the PNP programs as an alternative. Good luck.

 

[meachanrudai]

Unfortunately you need in the range of 470+ points to be selected.

Since you are on an open work permit, you don't qualify for the 50 job offer points unless your employer gets an approved LMIA.

If you want to extend your work permit, you also need an LMIA (unless you have already received ITA and submitted your application).

You may want to look into the PNP programs as an alternative. Good luck.

Ah OK. So if my employer gets an approved LMIA then I will get 50 extra points as well as the ability to extend my visa?
How long does it usually take to get a LMIA and how certain is it that I will get one?

Thanks for your help.

 

[scylla]

Ah OK. So if my employer gets an approved LMIA then I will get 50 extra points as well as the ability to extend my visa?
How long does it usually take to get a LMIA and how certain is it that I will get one?

Thanks for your help.

It takes around 4-6 months to get one.

It's quite an involved and expensive process and your employer has to advertise your job to prove no Canadian could be found for the role. I don't think any of us can tell you how certain it is that your would be approved.

 

[meachanrudai]

It takes around 4-6 months to get one.

It's quite an involved and expensive process and your employer has to advertise your job to prove no Canadian could be found for the role. I don't think any of us can tell you how certain it is that your would be approved.

OK. Are there any other options for extending my current stay in Canada past the end date of my current visa aside from waiting for my ITA and then applying for a bridging visa?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

OK. Are there any other options for extending my current stay in Canada past the end date of my current visa aside from waiting for my ITA and then applying for a bridging visa?

No. You could apply to change your status to visitor but without a valid work permit, you will not qualify for a BOWP. With your score, you could be waiting for quite a long time without the ability to work.