Poppy2

Quick question, I will be ringing someone this week, if I get through!

I have just had my open work permit renewed until 2013, my husband is the primary work permit/visa in his permanent job. I am just finishing my 50 week regular EI and maternity leave allowance and I need to complete a 3-6 month distance learning course to re-activate my Nova Scotia nursing license. In the meantime I can only work minimum wage jobs, so the re-activation is clearly going to be the best option for our family's income.

I have approached Employment Canada for upskilling financial assistance, and I now notice that my work permit states that I cannot (without authority) attend any professional or vocational education with this permit.......

I want to know what this might mean. If it is applying for a study permit which will take a while I expect and then reapply for a work permit in 3-6 months time? It makes no sense, but I suspect that is entirely it.

It seems odd that I can have an open permit/visa and work in MacDonalds or in local government departments, but when I pay for an upskilling educational course, I cant do so easily. I already paid an inflated price for the course based upon not being a PR - its driving me nuts.

Does this mean when I attended a 2 day course during employment, that I was not allowed to?

Does anyone know what I need to do and how this is approached by immigration?

Thank you

JonboyE

Hopefully someone who knows for sure will confirm this, but I believe courses of less than six months are OK.

AmyDavid

Course of less than 6 months in length are okay when you are on a work permit. So your good to go.

Have you applied for your PR yet?

Poppy2

Really? Thank god - why doesnt it say so? Hopefully those people looking at the application will know that.

AmyDavid

I can dig out the rules for you tomorrow if that would help? Give you something to wave at them if they question it?

Siouxie

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/informa...des/5552E3.asp

Do I require a study permit to study in Canada?

If you are not a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident of Canada, a family member of a foreign representative accredited to Canada or a member of the armed forces of a country that is a designated state for the purpose of the Visiting Forces Act, you must obtain a study permit to study in Canada.

What courses do not require a study permit?

A study permit is not required and will not be issued for:

nursery schools or kindergartens;
courses included in tour packages as a secondary activity for tourists;
distance learning courses (distance learning can be tele-learning, correspondence or internet courses);
courses that are not academic, professional or vocational in nature that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada.

Program of study of six months or less

A study permit is not required for any program of study of six months or less that can be completed within the period authorized upon entry into Canada. However, you may apply for a study permit and your application will be considered. Having a study permit will allow you to apply for a work permit if your course includes a practicum/coop component. Having a study permit also allows you apply for new study from within Canada if you anticipate further studies.

Poppy2

Thank you so much!! That is fantastic - I struggle to find the answers to my questions when I go to the webites.

That's a huge weight off!

Manek

I have done 3 month distance learning course on my open wp last year without any problem.