When should I apply?

Making an application for Permanent Residence is one of the conditions set out in your Letter of Appointment. You must apply as soon as you are eligible. 

Usually, there is not enough lead time for newly appointed international faculty to gather the necessary documentation and have Permanent Resident (PR) status processed and approved before they come to Canada to  start their appointment.To explore this option check the record of past processing times for the Skilled Worker and Professionals Class for your country of origin or residence.  

Most international faculty members initially work at Queen's under a work permit. Work permits under the category "University Professor" are generally issued for 3 years. If your work permit is under a different category (for example, a faculty dean or senior administrator), you may receive work permit with a shorter duration. A lapse in your immigration status in Canada can result in the position you hold having to be re-advertised, and a new competition being held.  Be sure to submit the application for PR well before the expiry of the work permit.  PR processing times vary in length from months to years depending on your country of origin and individual circumstances.

If your PR status is not approved before your work permit expires you will have to:

§  obtain a new HRSDC confirmation letter (also known as Labour Market Opinion, LMO). To initiate this process, contact Monica Stewart, Faculty Recruitment and Support Program. The confirmation letter is not always automatically granted, and, under some circumstances, Queen's could  be required to re-advertise the position to ensure that no Canadian candidates have become available.

§  apply for renewal of  your work permit. If your work permit expires while you are waiting for the renewal and you leave Canada, you may have difficulty re-entering. If you hold an expired work permit you can stay in Canada and work as long as you have submitted a request for a new work permit prior to the expiry date of the previous one. This is called "Implied Status".

§  re-apply for OHIP health coverage

If you do not maintain your immigration status  in Canada, Queens cannot pay you. If you have applied for extension of your status and have not received the decision from Citizenship and Immigration, you can continue to be paid as you are deemed to be under "implied status".