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Looking for Answers...

VickiMarie18

Newbie
Apr 2, 2020
3
0
My boyfriend is from Wales and is in Canada on a 2-year open working Visa. This Visa expires in 6-months and we are looking at his best options for the moment. We've started to collect testing/forms for his Permanent Residency, but are having issue collecting educational documents due to COVID-19. We were originally looking to apply under Express Entry, as he has a valid job offer here in Canada. We were deterred from moving through Spousal Sponsorship because although we've been together for a 1 1/2 years, we've only been living together for just coming on a year.

Anyways, we thought we could buy ourselves another couple of years by extending his work Visa, come to find that you can't extend 'open' work permits with no LMIA. Wondering if anyone knows what our best option may be... Should we apply through an IEC program? He's under 35.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,829
20,490
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
My boyfriend is from Wales and is in Canada on a 2-year open working Visa. This Visa expires in 6-months and we are looking at his best options for the moment. We've started to collect testing/forms for his Permanent Residency, but are having issue collecting educational documents due to COVID-19. We were originally looking to apply under Express Entry, as he has a valid job offer here in Canada. We were deterred from moving through Spousal Sponsorship because although we've been together for a 1 1/2 years, we've only been living together for just coming on a year.

Anyways, we thought we could buy ourselves another couple of years by extending his work Visa, come to find that you can't extend 'open' work permits with no LMIA. Wondering if anyone knows what our best option may be... Should we apply through an IEC program? He's under 35.
If he holds an open work permit, then his job does not qualify as a job offer under Express Entry for the additional 50 points. His employer needs to secure an approved LMIA in order for him to qualify for the 50 points.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,829
20,490
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Open Work Permit currently.
More information is needed. What kind of open work permit? Based on what? PGWP based on studies? IEC / working holiday visa? Something else? Can't help you without this info.
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
92,829
20,490
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
Working Holiday Visa
I'm assuming he obtained the 2 year work permit as an applicant from the UK. If so, then unfortunately he does not qualify for a second participation. Thsoe from the UK are only allowed to participate once in the program.

If he wants to continue working, realisticially his only option would be for his employer to get an approved LMIA so that he can swtich to a closed work permit.

Based on the information you've provided, he doesn't qualify for an open work permit. And as you've said, it's not possible to extend a working holiday visa.

You can sponsor him once you have lived together for a full year. That's probably the best option right now.