visitor visa to work visa

[Abouzar]

Hello,
Is it possible to change my Visitor visa into a Work visa while I am within Canada?
If so, who should apply for WP? Me or the company?

Thanks in advance for any insight

 

[scylla]

You are the one who applies for a work permit.

However before you can apply for a work permit, you need to find an employer in Canada who is willing to give you a full time job offer and who is also able to obtain an approved LMIA. The LMIA process is quite long (often 4-6 months) and expensive for the employer - with no guarantee of approval. For this reason, it tends to be extremely difficult to find employers willing to go through the process.

 

[Abouzar]

You are the one who applies for a work permit.

However before you can apply for a work permit, you need to find an employer in Canada who is willing to give you a full time job offer and who is also able to obtain an approved LMIA. The LMIA process is quite long (often 4-6 months) and expensive for the employer - with no guarantee of approval. For this reason, it tends to be extremely difficult to find employers willing to go through the process.

Do you know how much the process cost? And, I also would like to know how my status would be as my resident permit is going to be expired. Can I live and work legally while my WP application is in process?

 

[scylla]

Do you know how much the process cost? And, I also would like to know how my status would be as my resident permit is going to be expired. Can I live and work legally while my WP application is in process?

The LMIA fee is $1,000 - plus the employer also has to pay for advertising.

If your visitor status expires, then you'll be in Canada illegally / without status. You should apply to extend your visitor status in Canada before it expires.

No - you cannot live and work in Canada legally while your WP application is in process. You cannot work until your WP application is approved.

 

[Abouzar]

The LMIA fee is $1,000 - plus the employer also has to pay for advertising.

If your visitor status expires, then you'll be in Canada illegally / without status. You should apply to extend your visitor status in Canada before it expires.

No - you cannot live and work in Canada legally while your WP application is in process. You cannot work until your WP application is approved.

Thank you very much for the comprehensive reply.