How to extend your stay or apply for permanent residency

14 July, 2022

How to extend your stay in Canada

Are you currently in Canada, have a job offer and do not know how to extend your stay or apply for permanent residency?

Know your options:

LABOUR MARKET IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LMIA)

LMIA is an employer-driven process that enables you to obtain authorization to apply for a new work permit in Canada or extend your current one.

An LMIA application will confirm that the company and job offer is genuine and that there is a need for a foreign worker to be hired to fill the position, as no Canadian worker or permanent resident is as qualified as you to perform such a role.

After the employer obtains a positive LMIA decision, the worker can apply for a new work permit, valid for up to three years.

A positive LMIA will also provide up to 200 points for your immigration application via Express Entry.

GLOBAL TALENT STREAM

The Global Talent Stream is a type of LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) and part of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. It aims to allow companies in Canada to attract and hire the highest specialized and skilled global talent they need when Canadians or permanent residents are not available. It focuses on workers in specialized positions and those in the tech industry.

The applicant (that’s you) will need a valid job offer for a high skilled position for one of the occupations listed as part of the Global Talent Stream, like computer and information systems manager, programmers, analysts, IT consultants, computer technicians, software engineers, web designers, among others.

Through this category, you must remember that it also requires a minimum income (salary), depending on your position and province of choice.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories, and each individual province has their own economic and geographical needs. The Provincial Nominee Programs are aimed at those who have the skills, education and professional experience to address the specific needs and contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory.

Each province has its own programs, or “streams” that target certain groups of people, with their own rules, depending on their own needs.

Once you apply to immigrate via a Provincial Nominee Program, you must show intent to live and work in that province.

Once approved by a provincial government, you will receive a nomination certificate. This nomination will allow you to apply for final consideration by the Federal government of Canada.