Change Status Inside Canada Ottawa
Change Status Inside Canada Ottawa
Nestled along the banks of the majestic Ottawa River, Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is a vibrant and diverse city that effortlessly blends its rich history with modern urban amenities. The total area of the city is 2,790 km2, and its total population is 1,017,449 citizens.
Ottawa is home to a rich tapestry of ethnicities, including British, Irish, Scottish, Italian, Chinese, Indian, Lebanese, and Filipino descent. The official languages are English and French, reflecting the bilingual character of Canada. Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian are also spoken throughout the city.
The iconic Parliament Hill is the political heart of Ottawa, displaying stunning Gothic Revival architecture. It houses the Parliament of Canada and is a symbol of the country’s democratic governance.
Art enthusiasts can be captivated by the National Gallery of Canada, which houses an impressive collection of Canadian and international art. Its stunning architecture and diverse exhibits make it a must-visit for art lovers.
Ottawa also hosts the Canadian Tulip Festival annually, a celebration of the city’s role in the liberation of the Netherlands during World War II. Over a million tulips bloom across the city, creating a fascinating display of vibrant colors.
Every year, Ottawa welcomes over 11,000,000 visitors who explore its vibrant neighborhoods, indulge in its diverse cuisines, and immerse themselves in its rich heritage. Over 200,000 foreigners reside in the city, including tourists, students, and temporary workers. There are situations when they need to change status inside Canada. If you want to learn how to change status inside Canada in each situation, keep reading this article.
Guide to Getting a Study Permit: Change Status Inside Canada Ottawa
The first scenario where individuals need to change status inside Canada is when they want to get a study permit. While a visitor visa allows you to stay in Canada until the expiration date specified on your visitor records, it does not enable you to study in the country. Hence, you ought to change status inside Canada and apply for a study permit. This document allows you to study at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and remain in the country for the duration of the program.
Ten groups of foreigners are eligible to change status inside Canada and obtain a study permit. It includes individuals who hold valid work permits, as well as their accompanying family members, students studying at the preschool, primary, or secondary level, visiting and exchange students who study at the DLI, individuals who have completed prerequisite short-term courses for their enrollment at the DLI, holders of visitor visa that are valid for at least six months and their family members, refugee claimants, protected persons and their accompanying family members, individuals whose study permits were authorized by a visa office abroad, in-Canada permanent resident applicants and their family members, family members of media representatives, athletes on a Canadian-based team, military personnel, and members of the clergy assigned to Canada.
To apply for the study permit and change status inside Canada, you need to submit an Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student, along with photocopies of your passport, proof of funds to cover expenses during your study, and proof of payment of the $150 application fee.
In addition, foreigners seeking to change status inside Canada and pursue post-secondary study programs must provide a letter of acceptance from the DLI. Minor students who want to get a study permit to attend primary or secondary schools in Canada should obtain a letter from the school indicating the intended level of study and completion date. Parents of minor international students also need to submit the Custodianship Declaration.
The processing time to change status inside Canada and obtain a study permit is about two weeks.
Guide to Getting a Work Permit:Change Status Inside Canada Ottawa
The second scenario where you need to change status inside Canada is when you receive a job offer during your stay in the country. To work legally in Canada, foreigners must obtain a work permit, as they do not have the inherent right to work without authorization. There are eight categories of foreigners eligible to change status inside Canada and obtain a work permit.
It includes holders of work or study permits and their family members, graduates from Canadian DLIs, in-Canada foreign workers who apply for secondary employment, foreign residents whose work permits were issued by a migration office abroad, holders of visitor visas valid for at least six months and their family members, refugee claimants, and in-Canada permanent resident applicants and their family members who have been deemed eligible for permanent resident status. In addition, visitors from Mexico may change status inside Canada and apply for a work permit under any category of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Visitors from the US may change status inside Canada and only apply under the Professional or Intra-company Transferee categories of CUSMA.
Before you apply for a work permit to change status inside Canada, your employer needs to send you a copy of the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). If they are exempt from obtaining an LMIA, they must send you an Offer of Employment number.
In addition, to change status inside Canada and obtain a work permit, you need to submit an Application to Change Conditions or Extend Your Stay in Canada, photocopies of your passport, and proof of payment. The assigned officer may request additional documents.
The processing fee to change status inside Canada and get a work permit is $155. Those who qualify for an open work permit also need to pay $100. The processing time to change status inside Canada is about five months.
Guide to Getting a PGWP: Change Status Inside Canada Ottawa
The next scenario where you are required to change status inside Canada is when you graduate from a DLI and wish to remain and work in the country. In this case, you need to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP), which allows you to work in the country for a period of up to three years.
To be eligible for a PGWP, you must have completed a full-time study program at a DLI that was at least two years in duration and led to the attainment of a degree, diploma, or certificate. Your study permit must also remain valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of application if you intend to change status inside Canada and apply for the PGWP.
To change status inside Canada and obtain the PGWP, you need to provide supporting documentation that verifies the completion of your studies. This can include a degree or diploma awarded by your educational institution, an official letter from your school confirming the successful completion of your program, or a copy of your official transcript.
The PGWP processing fees include a work permit fee of $155, as well as an additional $100 for an open work permit. The processing time to change status inside Canada is around four months.
Guide to Getting a Permanent Residency: Change Status Inside Canada Ottawa
The last scenario in which you need to change status inside Canada is when you qualify for permanent residency in Ottawa. For individuals seeking to change their status inside Canada through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), a minimum of one year of full-time in-Canada work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 job category of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) is required. Additionally, applicants must meet a language proficiency level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for TEER 0 and 1 js or CLB 5 for TEER 2 and 3 jobs.
Since Ottawa is in the province of Ontario, foreign residents can qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to change status inside Canada and obtain permanent residency in the province. This program offers nine different streams through which individuals can apply: Foreign Worker Stream, International Student Stream, Skilled Trades Stream, In-Demand Skills Stream, Entrepreneur Stream, Ph.D. Graduate Stream, Master’s Graduate Stream, Human Capital Priorities Stream, and French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream.
The general requirements for provincial nomination include having at least nine months of full-time work experience in Ontario in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC, achieving a CLB Level 4 and higher in English or French, having settlement funds, and having the intention to live in Ontario. To qualify for the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program, you must meet the requirements of the chosen immigration stream.
The application fees and processing time to change status inside Canada and get permanent residency depend on the selected immigration program.
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