Change Status Inside Canada Toronto

Change Status Inside Canada Toronto

Canada is renowned for its diverse and inclusive culture, which attracts foreigners who want to visit, study, live, and work in the country. Toronto, in particular, welcomes more than fifteen million international visitors annually. However, foreigners may need to adjust their status while staying in the country. This could entail transitioning from a visitor visa to a study or work permit, shifting from a study permit to a work permit, or transitioning from a work permit to permanent residency. It can be a complex endeavor to change status inside Canada. Thus, this article aims to delve into the different scenarios where you must change status inside Canada.

Province Overview & Change Status Inside Canada Toronto

It may be interesting to learn more about Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario. It is nestled within the Golden Horseshoe region, a densely populated and industrialized area that encompasses cities and towns surrounding Lake Ontario. The total area of the city is 630.2 km2, and its total population is 2,794,356 citizens.

Ethnically, Toronto is exceptionally diverse. People of European, Asian, African, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent form vibrant communities within the city. While English remains the primary language, Chinese, Tagalog, Italian, Tamil, Punjabi, Spanish, Portuguese, and Urdu are widely spoken throughout the city.

Toronto boasts iconic landmarks and attractions that draw both locals and tourists. Providing awe-inspiring views of the city, the CN Tower stands as one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world. Other notable sites include the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, and the Distillery District.

Toronto also has a thriving film industry, often referred to as Hollywood North. The city’s diverse neighborhoods and architectural landmarks make it a popular filming location for movies and television shows. The Toronto International Film Festival attracts film industry professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.

Throughout the year, Toronto hosts other cultural festivals that celebrate the city’s diversity. Caribana, Toronto International Festival of Authors, Nuit Blanche, and Taste of the Danforth are just a few examples of the vibrant celebrations that showcase Toronto’s multicultural spirit.

Change Visitor Visa to Study Permit: Change Status Inside Canada Toronto

It is time to delve into the first situation where foreigners may need to change status inside Canada from a visitor visa to a study permit. A visitor visa is an official document that permits foreigners to stay in Canada for up to the expiry date marked on their visitor records. A study permit allows international students to pursue their studies at Canadian educational institutions for a period of their study program.

The following categories of foreigners can change status inside Canada and obtain study permit: holders of temporary resident permit valid for at least six months and their family members, persons studying at the pre-school, primary or secondary level, persons who have completed a short-term course or program of study that is a prerequisite to their enrolling at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), visiting or exchange students studying at a DLI, refugee claimants, protected persons, family members of Canadian-based team athletes, media representatives, members of the clergy, and military personnel assigned to Canada.

When you want to change status inside Canada and attend a post-secondary institution, you must get a letter of acceptance from a DLI. If the minor international students aim to attend primary or secondary school, they need to get a letter from the school indicating the level of study and anticipated completion date.

Change Visitor Visa to Work Permit:Change Status Inside Canada Toronto

The next situation when you need to change status inside Canada is when you want to work in the country. Then, you must get a work permit. It serves as written authorization allowing foreigners to work in Canada for a specified duration. To change status inside Canada and obtain a work permit, you need to fall into one of the eight eligible categories.

1. Work or study permit holders and their family members may change status inside Canada. For skilled foreign workers, there is a possibility for their spouses or common-law partners to obtain an open work permit.
2. Graduates who have completed study programs at Canadian educational institutions can change status inside Canada and work in the country for up to three years in a job related to their field of study. This situation will be described in the next chapter.
3. Individuals who are currently employed in Canada and do not fall under the category of business visitors and who do not require a work permit may apply for secondary employment within the country and change status inside Canada.
4. Individuals who hold temporary resident permits that are valid for at least six months, along with their family members, may change status inside Canada and get a work permit.
5. Refugee claimants and persons subject to an unenforceable removal order may change status inside Canada and get a work permit.
6. In-Canada permanent resident applicants and their family members who are live-in-caregivers, an interim pathway for caregivers, spouses and common-law partners, H&C (humanitarian and compassionate) considerations, and protected persons may get a work permit and change status inside Canada.
7. Foreigners whose work permits were authorized by a migration office abroad, where the permit was not issued at a port of entry, can change status inside Canada and get a work permit.
8. Mexican visitors in Canada have the option to apply for a work permit under any CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) category, while U.S. visitors can apply under the Professional or Intra-company Transferee CUSMA categories only. These arrangements are based on reciprocal agreements between the countries.

Meeting the eligibility criteria for the specific category of work permit is necessary for the applicants to change status inside Canada. Nevertheless, the ability to apply within Canada does not automatically guarantee approval of the application.

When you want to change status inside Canada and get a work permit, you need to obtain from the employer a copy of the LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment). If your employer is exempt from obtaining an LMIA, they must provide you with the Offer of Employment number.

Change Study Permit to Work Permit:Change Status Inside Canada Toronto

International students who complete a full-time study program of at least two years in Canada and desire to work in the country are required to change status in Canada and get a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). It permits eligible graduates to work in Canada for a maximum of three years following the completion of their studies.

Your study permit must be valid for at least 180 days to change status inside Canada and apply for a PGWP. During the application process, you need to provide the name of the study program, confirmation of completion of the program, and its duration. It can be confirmed by submitting your degree or diploma, your academic transcript, or an official letter issued by your school.

Change Work Permit to Permanent Residency:Change Status Inside Canada Toronto

The next situation when you need to change status inside Canada is when you work under a temporary work permit and want to obtain permanent resident status. To change status inside Canada under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you need to have at least one year of full-time work experience in a skilled occupation classified under National Occupation Classification job in such categories TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. In addition, you must demonstrate your language proficiency in either English or French.

Since Toronto is the capital of Ontario, foreign residents can also use the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program to change status inside Canada and gain permanent residency in the province. The program has nine streams: Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream, Employer Job Offer: Foreign Worker Stream, Employer Job Offer: In-Demand Skills Stream, Skilled Trades Stream, Ph.D. Graduate Stream, Master’s Graduate Stream, Entrepreneur Stream, French-Speaking Skilled Worker Stream, and Human Capital Priorities Stream.

Once you have determined your eligibility for the CEC or PNP programs, the next step is to gather the necessary documents to support your application to change status inside Canada. The specific requirements and documents vary based on the immigration stream and individual circumstances.

After submitting your application online to change status inside Canada, you are required to undergo medical examinations, attend an interview, and provide additional information. The processing time depends on the immigration program and the volume of applications. You will get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) when your application to change status inside Canada is approved.

 

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