Hello everyone,
I would like to ask for advice and hear from anyone who may have been in a similar situation.
My family and I became Permanent Residents of Canada through an LMIA-supported employment offer with Company-1. As part of the relocation package, the company covered expenses such as work permits, medical exams, PR processing, and immigration lawyer fees. In exchange, I signed a 3-year employment contract stating that if I fail to complete the full term, I would be required to reimburse the relocation costs.
According to the signed agreement, my position was a unionized role as an “Electrical Technician,” reporting to Manager-1. However, upon arrival, my reporting structure was changed without any formal contract amendment. I was instructed to report instead to Manager-2. Shortly after, I was assigned to report to and cover a team leader post for Manager-3, who was overseeing the Maintenance Engineering group while his team leader (a direct subordinate of Manager 3) was on maternity leave.
For about one year, I performed tasks such as:
1. Control system programming and upgrades
2. Variable Frequency Drive commissioning and optimization
3. Supplier coordination and spare parts procurement
4. Acting supervisory coverage
5. Plant server maintenance and data back ups
6. Cross-department technical support
7. Covering roles of technicians who resigned
Despite these added responsibilities, my official position and salary classification remained unchanged as Electrical Technician Level 1.
After the team leader returned from maternity leave, I was moved back under Manager-2 and resumed my original technician role under a rotating shift schedule.
Recently, I received an external job offer from Company-2 with better compensation and a role more aligned with my experience. I am planning to resign properly and arrange a repayment plan with Company-1 for the relocation costs as stated in the contract.
My concern is this:
We have been in Canada for almost two years, and we plan to apply for Canadian citizenship once eligible. Could this employer contract dispute, repayment obligation, or early resignation negatively affect our citizenship application?
Has anyone here experienced a similar LMIA/employer-bond situation and later applied for citizenship? Any insights on how IRCC views these cases would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.
