How to get Canadian temporary work permits for permanent residency may be a nagging question for any non-Canadian working in the country through a temporary work permit. The uncertainty of what happens when that permit expires is very real. What is to stop the government from deporting the expired permit holder? Or, more importantly, what can be done to prevent removal from Canada? In scenarios like this, it’s good to know the facts.
The path to permanent residency in Canada can be daunting in its complexity. However, a temporary work permit can actually be a stepping stone towards permanent residency. In some ways, the possession of a temporary work permit can ease a permanent residency candidate’s overall application experience. For an individual who is already in Canada on a work permit, there are several paths to transforming one’s temporary status to permanent residency.
The Provincial Nominee Program
Through the Provincial Nominee Program, for instance, foreign workers are nominated for permanent residency by employers, but each program can be different across provinces. Most of these applicants must be highly skilled for certain jobs, although some provinces involve a select few unskilled occupations for this program as well.
The Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class also allows applicants to apply for permanent resident status. People with temporary resident permits who are looking to become permanent residents using the Canadian Experience Class need to have either two years of work experience in Canada already or have completed one year of post-secondary studies as well as one year of work.
Temporary Residents
Temporary residents have the advantage of already being in the country legally, as well as being gainfully employed and (hopefully) adapting to Canadian culture.
However, that does not guarantee that the way ahead isn’t fraught with challenges. Canadian laws can change at almost any given time, depending on the economic or political conditions of the day. It is natural for the uncertainty of temporary residency to be a burden. The same may be said for anyone attempting to transfer from temporary worker status to permanent residency. While the work of getting to work in Canada has already been done, that does not mean the temporary resident is now an expert in Canadian immigration law. It is because of this fact that it is always advisable to consult an immigration expert who can guide the worker through the rough waters leading to permanent residency.
What if a Worker is Fired or Laid Off?
Say a temporary worker in Canada wants to become a permanent resident and preparing to enter the Provincial Nominee Program. Then the worker is told by the employer that the worker’s services are no longer required by the company. In a situation like this, the worker must find another way to satisfy his standing as a temporary worker applying for the program that will lead to permanent residency, and even small mistakes can be costly or catastrophic. An immigration expert can help maintain the client’s momentum toward the goal of permanent residency. Furthermore, the temporary worker will be able to concentrate more on completing the program or getting a new sponsor, depending on the circumstances.
The scenarios around failure to renew one’s temporary work permit can be bleak. Some people begin families in Canada without citizenship. If their work permits expire, they may be forced to leave the country, potentially separating the worker from his or her spouse and children for extended periods of time. Programs such as the Provincial Nominee Program or the Canadian Experience Class are in place to hopefully mitigate consequences like these, as well as retain the talent of the workers whose skills are of benefit to the country.
Temporary workers may not yet be permanent residents or citizens, but having achieved that status is proof that the person is qualified to be in the country and is beneficial to it. However, if you feel that Canada is the right place for you to live permanently, then it is incumbent upon you to acquaint yourself with the paths toward permanent residency that are available to you through your temporary worker permit.
And yet, an immigration expert may be able to find better immigration streams if they prove necessary, such as a spousal sponsorship. There are innumerable possibilities if you have the most knowledgeable support. That is why it is crucial to find immigration experts who are respected and trustworthy, and whose primary focus is on the Canadian immigration process.
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All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for Niren and Associates an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.
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President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
