Hi,

I'd like to find out how can an individual from other countries get a student visa if she plans to take the caregiver course at TLC Edmonton. Will she need an acceptance letter from you? If she is granted a student visa, will it be only for the duration of the training course - six months?

Also, can she apply for a work permit (while in Canada) even before the caregiver course is completed, assuming that she had already a pre-arranged employer?

Thank you.

Joel

This question was sent directly to me. I decided to post it here in case other are wondering about the same thing. I encourage everyone to post their questions on this webpage. It helps me (and maybe others) Below if the answer I sent Joel.Thanks everyone...Shirley

Dear Joel
If an individual wants to apply for a student permit, that person needs a Letter of Acceptance to the school they want to attend. If they want to attend TLC Edmonton, they need a Letter of Acceptance from me. Because it is legal to study for up to six months on a Visitor's Visa, it is not necessary to apply for a student permit but it really depends very much on the country the person is from which course of action is the best choice.
If a student visa is issued, it is usually issued for least eight months (that statement is based on on the experience of other students in my program...not on any rule that I know. Those students who have applied for and received student visas usually were given about eight months.)
Once a person has an employer, the employer can apply for a labour market opinion from HRSDC even though the prospective employee is still in the training program. However, the work permit has to be applied for from outside the country and that can't be done until the training has been completed because, until the training has been completed, the employee does not qualify. However, it is possible in some case to leave Canada and apply for and receive a work permit as soon as the day after the training has been completed.
For me to give you more helpful advice and suggestions I would need to know where you live but please don't hesitate to ask.
Best Wishes
Shirley