A member already working remotely for a Canadian firm with an LMIA in hand (lawyers filing the actual work permit) wasn't happy with the employer and wanted to know the best path to PR or an open work permit given his profile (Bachelor's in CS, IELTS band 9).
What the thread suggested:- Once you accumulate 1 year of qualifying Canadian work experience under your LMIA-backed work permit, you become eligible to apply through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — this is the standard route for someone already working in Canada (even under employer-tied status) to transition toward PR.
- Consulting a professional, regulated immigration consultant was recommended for mapping the specific eligibility criteria and timeline given the applicant's exact situation, rather than relying solely on informal group guidance.
- The thread didn't fully resolve what other CEC criteria apply beyond the 1-year work experience (e.g. NOC skill level requirements) — that's worth confirming directly against the official CEC eligibility criteria before planning around it.
The practical takeaway: build toward 1 year of Canadian work experience under your current LMIA-backed permit to become CEC-eligible, and get professional advice to confirm the other eligibility details apply to your specific NOC and situation.