Perm Res and Work permit at the same time?

[sambradley]

Hi

I am Canadian Citizen who has just married a German. We got married in Canada as she came here as a visitor. She is about to apply for perm res as my spouse but as that takes a long time, is it possible for her also to apply for a work permit at same time. The way I understand it as spouse of a Canadian she wouldnt need a LMO under family class app. Am I correct in thinking this? Also, on work permit app it asks for length of time requested for work permit, so what should she put here?
Grateful for any help!

 

[Leon]

The only work permit she can apply for as a spouse is if you decide to go for an inland application for her PR. In that case, she can apply for an open work permit. It will however not be granted until after her first stage approval which at the moment is taking 8-9 months.

If she wants to get a work permit faster than that, she needs to find an employer and get an LMO before applying. Another option, if she is under 35, she could look into a working holiday visa, see http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/germany-allemagne/youth-jeunesse/index.aspx?lang=deu&menu_id=75&menu=L They are closed for 2010 but they should open in a couple of months for 2011.

 

[sambradley]

Thank you for your response. I thought perm res app and work permit are two seperate things. How about if she didn't apply for perm res but just applied for a spouse open work permit as she is married to canadian? She is in Canada already as visitor. Could she not apply to change conditions to work permit?

 

[PMM]

Hi

Thank you for your response. I thought perm res app and work permit are two seperate things. How about if she didn't apply for perm res but just applied for a spouse open work permit as she is married to canadian? She is in Canada already as visitor. Could she not apply to change conditions to work permit?

No, to get a spousal open work permit, the request has to be submitted with the "In-Canada" spousal application. Otherwise she would have to have an employer obtain an approved LMO and then apply outside Canada for a work permit. Visitor in Canada can't change to Study/Work permit holders.

 

[Leon]

How about if she didn't apply for perm res but just applied for a spouse open work permit as she is married to canadian?

There is no spouse open work permit available for spouses of Canadians unless you apply inland and wait until your first stage approval.

Spouses of work permit holders and students can get open spouse work permits. Not spouses of Canadians. In your case, they want you to sponsor her for PR, not just give her a work permit.