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karlos_macca

Full Member
Oct 25, 2016
47
0
Hi all, just looking for some advice.

I'm in Canada under 2 year IEC. I am a qualified geologist, but due to the nature of the industry it too me 15 months into my Visa to get a job in the field. When my Visa expires in March I will be have only been employed for 9 months, which is 3 months short of the 12 month minimum for CEC. My employer will not apply for an LMO for me, as the industry is pretty slow here right now and he can employ someone local to do my job instead.

Do I have any other options for extending my work visa for a few months so I am elibigle to apply for PR under CEC? I can not extend the IEC but is it possible to transfer to an OWP, or Bridging Visa?

My other option is apply for PR through a Common-Law relationship. My partner is a local citizen and we have been living together since we arrived.
 
You don't qualify for a OWP or BOWP.

Your only option for an OWP is to go the common law sponsorship route. You'll need to submit the application soon since the OWP is typically approved around the four month mark (after the inland PR application is submitted). And since you are on an IEC, you need to have the OWP approved and in hand to continue working past the expiry date of your IEC.

Good luck.
 
Additionally take a look on IEC, perhaps you can apply under other stream (working holidays or young professionals)

If you don't have any option before your WP expires you could change your status to visitor