Applying for PR(Where to begin?)

[usid]

Hi everyone,

Bit confused on how to go about my application to become a Canadian Permanent Resident. Here is my current situation :

I obtained a Post-graduate work permit for 3 years expiring in March 2014. I have worked for 2 employers from 2011 until now fulltime (1st job : May - Sept 2011 & 2nd job : Jan - Jun 2013). I have read that in order to apply for a PR under the CEC program , I will require 12 months of cumulative full time work. As of now I have worked for 11 months and currently unemployed looking for full time work.

I would like to know what my options are to extend my current work permit and if I can start proceedings to apply for my PR even though I'm one month shy of the full time work requirements.

Any help on this matter will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

 

[cecbear]

You still have 6 months until your PGWP expires. As long as you work full time in one of the six months (or full time equivalent - for example, two months with 15-hours per week) in any NOC 0/A/B job, then you have enough experience to apply. The requirement is pretty strict and they do not count any experience after you apply, so you will have to find a job soon.

 

[usid]

Thanks so much for getting back to me I

I just wanted to ask you a question regarding my PGWP. What are the options to extend this work permit assuming I find a job before it expires. I will more than likely apply for PR but I would like to wait and surpass the 12 month minimum requirement so as to be 100% sure before applying.

Before that happens I would like to extend my open work permit and continue living in Canada as worker via a valid work permit. Is this feasible? And if so, what are my options? If I am then granted an extension on my work permit, I will amass more than 12 months of work experience and use this towards my CEC PR application in due time.

Any help on this is appreciated, Thanks ;D

 

[iamroth]

I think you need to get a NOC 0/A/B job and have your employer apply for LMO.

Unfortunately PGWP cannot be extended.

Also know, for CEC program, you don't have to be present in Canada. As soon as you get 12 months of experience + all other documents - you can apply from anywhere in the world.

Just make sure you never go 'out of status', when you are inside Canada.

 

[usid]

Thanks for the reply. With regards to not extending the PGWP , I do know there is an option to bridge an open work permit once you have applied for the CEC PR and have some sort of confirmation.

If for example I land a fulltime job that is applicable and apply for my PR in Feb, 2014 (my PGWP expires on March 31st 2014) is this doable? I remember reading somewhere that a bridge on a work permit can only be done if you have a minimum of 4 months left on it. Can anyone please confirm?

Another scenario-- what if I decide to apply for my PR in Feb 2013, no employer is willing to carry out an LMO for me and I can't bridge my existing open work permit. Am I allowed to remain in Canada and let alone stay here and continue to work? Or, will I have to leave temporarily while my PR is being processed and can return if successful with the CEC PR application.

Again, any help on this matter is much appreciated

 

[cecbear]

For bridge open work permit, you need to have received your AOR, which happens about two months after your application. So ideally if you can apply in Jan 2014 and receive your AOR in March 2014 before your PGWP expires, you can apply for the bridge open work permit. The four-months thing is actually maximum 4 months left. So that means you can only apply between Dec 2013 and Mar 2014.

If time is running out and you haven't received your AOR, there is a possibility that you can get your BOWP without AOR. See http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/got-my-bowp-approved-without-submitting-aor-t153061.0.html

If you don't bridge your work permit, even if you submitted PR application, you cannot stay in Canada after your work permit expires. Your CEC application is still valid though.

 

[usid]

Thanks for that information. I hate to say it, but the information on the CIC website is a bit confusing at times and I really appreciate all the feedback so far. Its been helpful.

I feel like I can more than likely handle the requirements of the application myself without a lawyer guiding me. Is this recommended? It seems as if the application for PR via CEC once eligibility has been met should be one that is straight forward. Does anyone have any input regarding applying with a lawyer vs. without?

Finally, I am trying to classify my work experience in the NOC. Seems a bit more confusing that it should be, or maybe im not cut out for this kind of stuff LOL. My first full time job was a Technical Consultant for an Telecom Company and my second fulltime job was a Business Account Manager(b2b sales) for a Telus dealership. Whats the best way to check and ensure that both these jobs are in line with the requirements for PR.

Thanks again in advance!

 

[usid]

This is really helpful for anyone confused about classifying your work experience -> canadavisa.com/immigration-eligible-occupations.html

Also , have a look at the NOC Matrix for further reference on classification -> hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/html/Matrix.html

Question for anyone out there : with regards to my previous employment , how do I show how long I've worked for ? Will a T4 help with this and or a Record of Employment form? Again, if there is any feedback on this it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[jes_ON]

This is really helpful for anyone confused about classifying your work experience -> canadavisa.com/immigration-eligible-occupations.html

Also , have a look at the NOC Matrix for further reference on classification -> hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/html/Matrix.html

Question for anyone out there : with regards to my previous employment , how do I show how long I've worked for ? Will a T4 help with this and or a Record of Employment form? Again, if there is any feedback on this it would be appreciated.

It sounds like you found your NOC codes...?

Letter of employment from your former employer is the KEY document, it must have start and end dates (along with all the other required details outlined in the CEC Document Checklist). The information must be supported by the T4 and NOA. ROE doesn't hurt.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/cec.asp

 

[usid]

Thanks for all the help

About to put in my application sometime next week. Quick question though, for the Letter of employment from my former employees, the checklist indicates to include the corresponding NOC code within the letter of reference (if known).

I know the NOC code and have included that within the IM00080- Schedule 8 form, do i also need to have this explicitly stated on the reference letter?

If any one has some insight on this it would be helpful..

Thanks..

 

[jes_ON]

I obtained a Post-graduate work permit for 3 years expiring in March 2014. I have worked for 2 employers from 2011 until now fulltime (1st job : May - Sept 2011 & 2nd job : Jan - Jun 2013). I have read that in order to apply for a PR under the CEC program , I will require 12 months of cumulative full time work. As of now I have worked for 11 months and currently unemployed looking for full time work.

Well, be careful - you only have 11 months, if each of your start dates were on the 1st of the month and your end dates were on the last day of the month (as indicated in your letters of employment). In practice, CIC counts the year as 52 weeks, and even one week short can be enough for a refusal.

 

[jes_ON]

Quick question though, for the Letter of employment from my former employees, the checklist indicates to include the corresponding NOC code within the letter of reference (if known).

I know the NOC code and have included that within the IM00080- Schedule 8 form, do i also need to have this explicitly stated on the reference letter?

This is optional, if you have your letters already, I wouldn't worry about that.

 

[jes_ON]

Question for anyone out there : with regards to my previous employment , how do I show how long I've worked for ? Will a T4 help with this and or a Record of Employment form? Again, if there is any feedback on this it would be appreciated.

Start and end dates are required elements of your letters of employment.

 

[jes_ON]

I just wanted to ask you a question regarding my PGWP. What are the options to extend this work permit assuming I find a job before it expires.

Although it is true that the PGWP cannot be extended, and that an LMO is required to apply for a new Temporary Work Permit, the fact that you have a current PGWP does give you an advantage. Many employers don't like to apply for LMOs, but because you are on a PGWP, your prospective employer would NOT be required to demonstrate recruitment efforts. In other words, it is a LOT easier.

If you have any job prospects, be sure to provide this information (Under the section, "Advertisement") to your employer -

Employers hiring former PGWPP participants in higher-skilled occupations are not required to conduct recruitment or advertisement efforts, provided, the LMO is received by the appropriate Service Canada Centre within 90 days of the expiration of the post-graduate work permit.

In instances where the post-graduate work permit has expired, and over 90 days have elapsed from the date Service Canada receives the application, employers will be required to demonstrate recruitment efforts as per the normal requirements for higher-skilled occupations.

http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/foreign_workers/higher_skilled/students/index.shtml




I will more than likely apply for PR but I would like to wait and surpass the 12 month minimum requirement so as to be 100% sure before applying.

Well, if you don't wait, your application will be refused.

 

[usid]

Thanks for those answers. I have already passed the 12 month requirement for applying(have been working fulltime for the last 4 months and only needed 1 more month to meet the requirement)

I have a question regarding classifying my work experience with the NOC ->

I would like some advice for categorizing my work experience with a job title that can be found in the NOC. I have had 3 jobs and this is what I have classified them as based on my roles and responsibilities :

1) Job title -> Inside Technician . I have corresponded this job to NOC code 2282 -> www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileAlphabetic.aspx?val=2&val1=2282&val10=T)
Roles and duties :
*Provided online and over the phone support to clients using ABC company's solutions for IP Telephony
*Provided training to clients using ABC company's solutions for IP Telephony
*Gathered requirements and communicated directly with clients to help program and deliver a comprehensive package for IP Telephony
*Created literature documenting client issues and worked towards resolution of these issues.

2) Job Title -> Direct Sales representative. I have corresponded this to job NOC code 6221 ->www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileNocCode.aspx?val=6&val1=6221&val17=6221&val18=0&val19=0)

Roles and duties:

• Executed full sales cycle from prospecting, to hardware delivery/set-up, post sales service and account management.
• Worked hand in hand with TELUS representatives to determine client’s overall telecom requirements and deliver a comprehensive viable solution(i.e. landline, internet and mobility).
• Efficiently supported existing TELUS mobility business clients by providing quick responses to various technical issues(hardware/software related).

3) Job Title -> Customer Advisor. I have corresponded this job to NOC code 2282 -> www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2011/ProfileAlphabetic.aspx?val=2&val1=2282&val10=T)

1) Solely responsible for providing end users with technical support(related to email/domain issues) over the phone and via email.
2) Detail interactions with every customer via service requests that are maintained in Zendesk(request tracking software) as to create a database of existing problems and solutions.
3) Keep upto date with technology related to internet services , i.e- hosted email and DNS management as to provide customers with the most effective and informative solutions.

Please let me know if I have classified my work experience correctly with the job NOC codes that I have chosen. Any feedback/suggestions are appreciated.

Thank you.