Skilled worker seems difficult now - Seeking an alternative

[walterg74]

Hi everyone.

I was ready to finish out filling out all my forms, and submit my application, convinced that I qualified for skilled worker class.  I am an Information Systems engineer, 35 years old, knowledge of english and basic french, and aproximately 7 years of work experience in the field.

Unfortunatley, I just found out something I had overlooked, and that is the change made after february 28th, where you only qulify if you have a minimum of 1 year experience but only if that experience is in one or more of a reduce list of 38 occupations, which sadly I do not have...

I am trying to obtain information on any alternatives I might have, as well as how to go about carrying them out.

One particularity/weird issue I'd like to see if anyone with legal experience can shed some light on for me is the following:

I actually have lived in Canada before, as a legal permanent resident. This was a long time ago, when I was 8 years old, and I lived in Canada continuosly for 4 years.  I went with my parents and a brother, and after 4 years they decided to come back.

Is there any possibility whatsoever, that I might be able to reclaim PR status, aducing maybe that I could not do so on my own at the time because I was a minor?  (I returned to my home/current country when I was 12 and obviously could not have gone back even if I wanted to for another 9 years!).

Thanks!
Walter.

[aanbaan]

i don't think there is any such provision in the Canadian Immigration laws... you may want to take up a job with managerial responsibilities for about an year and then try for 0213 NOC.

alternatively, you can check for Provincial Nomination. You need to check the clauses for each province and see if you fit in somewhere.

[walterg74]

Thanks for the reply.   I am also looking around at the PNPs, and trying to find one that actually lets you apply, instead of needing an eployer to apply... (which takes me back to how on earth can I get a temp job at least, when there is no such reference on the major job seeking sites?).
Also, applying through a PNP, ideally I'd like to settle in Toronto or Vancouver. Even though I *heard* the don't *force* you to stay in the province, if you don't aren't you like cheating them...? :S

[Leon]

You can try Quebec skilled worker.  You don't need a job for that.  If you come through a PNP, you basically sign a document that you intend to settle in that province.  It would be advisable to stay at least for a while, maybe you'll even like it there but if you get a better job somewhere else, nobody will stop you from leaving.  The Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that PR's are free to live and work in any province.

[walterg74]

Now I have to thank you twice for your replies Leon

Have you seen the last paragraph in my initial question?  Any chance I might have a legal case there? :S

[Leon]

Nope, once PR is gone, PR is gone.

[walterg74]

Humanitary & compassion case? Heheheh...

[Leon]

You can try it but don't waste too much energy, I think you'd have about 0.0001% chance of being approved but hey, what do I know, I don't work for immigration.  Maybe you get an IO who is having a loopy day and accidentally grabs the approved stamp instead of rejected

[walterg74]

You mean that can happen?? Ohh boy!!! Maybe I can get someone on the inside to switch his stamps and leave him with 2 "accepted" ones... muahahah...

Oh well.. I'll keep at it.. I was just really enthusiastic about going back. I lived there as a kid for 4 years, haven't gone back before becuase it was really hard to convince my GF for us to move there (immigrating is not an easy choice as you know..), and now that I had all in favour to apply I find that wall...  If I had applied last year (Jan) I wouldn't be in this mess

[Leon]

Yeah but it would be even worse if you'd applied last year in March because they didn't actually announce the rule change in February until last November.  It was a funny time that people were applying and knowing that the rules were changing but not how exactly.  You can still find a way in though.  There's always an open window somewhere.

[walterg74]

In case you're still there (or anyone else who knows), I've been looking at the PNPs, and I can't seem to find any of them (except Quebec's) that actually let you apply unless you have a job offer from an employer.

Are there any?

If not, what's the point? I mean, if I had such an offer, I'd just apply through the federal government and avoid the hassle of going through one more process....
 

[Leon]

You are right.  For the PNP's you need a job offer in most cases except for investor classes or family streams.

The point is that some people don't qualify to apply for FSW because they can't make 67 points.  Instead of excluding them completely, the PNP's allow them to apply for their immigration if they can get a job offer in that province or if they are already there on a temporary work permit, they can apply for PR through PNP with their employers support.

[walterg74]

Hey Leon, always there!

Ok I see the point.. sadly this isn't my case. I have the points, but I'm excluded by the new 38 occupation list...

One last one...
 
During 2006, in my university, I was assistant teacher. Now, first this was non-paid (vocational, or ad-honorem as you wish to call it). Now even though the title is "assistant" techer, I read somewhere that the duties are more important than the titke, and this is not actually assistant to the teacher, but rather in the course I was in (Operating Systems) I actually have to give classes, follow up with students on technical/practical projects, etc.

Do you think that with this, and if I got a letter from the University, that I might have a shot applying under NOC 4131 ?
 

[Leon]

Yes, you have a shot.  If you can match your job duties to 4131 and you have a letter from the university for 1 years experience, you have a chance to get in under that NOC.

[SASIF]

If you are so keen then why dont you enroll as a student for one year, get a degree from canadian university and then apply in the canadian experience class.