Does low income matter?

[ayano0312]

Hello, I'm thinking to apply under CEC after I finish my 1 year work experience in October.

My job code is NOC 2175 - Web designers and developers

But I'm actually working at almost minimum wage.
Will CIC suspect and refuse my application because of this low wage?

 

[scylla]

Wage typically isn't a problem for CEC. However if it's really low, it can become a problem if CIC becomes concerned you might not have been doing the job you say you were doing based on your salary. When you say you were being paid at almost minimum wage - what do you mean by that? Were you making at least $15? If not - how much lower? You may be OK.

 

[ayano0312]

Thank you scylla.

Umm… my wage is

October 2015 - April 2016 $11/h
May 2016 - present $12/h

I know it's too low…

 

[marc_86]

Thank you scylla.

Umm… my wage is

October 2015 - April 2016 $11/h
May 2016 - present $12/h

I know it's too low…

I don't think wage is an issue if you just graduated and started working (means this is your first entry-level job and you didn't have any prior Canadian experience). However, when you score a couple of years of experience, your pay must reflect a progression. Say you started making $14 after 6 months and then $18 after an year. If you keep working at the same $12 for too long, it will look suspicious.

 

[ayano0312]

Thank you marc_86.

I have been working for here since last July. July 2015 - September 2015 was coop.
Then I switch to working holiday visa on October.

I have 4years+ experience in this field when I was in my country and I'll mention it on my work experience.
If this wage matters, all of my working experience until now at this company will be a waste of time...

 

[softfuel12]

Thank you marc_86.

I have been working for here since last July. July 2015 - September 2015 was coop.
Then I switch to working holiday visa on October.

I have 4years+ experience in this field when I was in my country and I'll mention it on my work experience.
If this wage matters, all of my working experience until now at this company will be a waste of time...

First of all, your wage has nothing to do with CEC eligibility. There is nothing written specifically about salaries anywhere on CIC website with that being said, the low salaried applicants often attract more VO's attention than normal applicants because of the fact that the CEC stream is for skilled workers and they are expected to have a better salary than non-skilled workers. Also, immigration has found a lot of illegal / illegitimate companies paying really low to employees.

Secondly, I can tell you from my own personal experience that your salary wouldn't even matter if your company is legit. My wife was a principal applicant with a salary of $15/hr and NOC Code 0123 (Computer Project Manager). We became PR in April 2016 without any issue/question on salary.

Lastly, you need to work on your reference letter. It should be very thorough and should describe your role perfectly.

 

[ayano0312]

Thank you softfuel12.

It's good to hear that my salary doesn't matter

So all the documents I need to request to my company are:

- T4
- Notice of Assessment
- Employer reference letter

 

[softfuel12]

Thank you softfuel12.

It's good to hear that my salary doesn't matter

So all the documents I need to request to my company are:

- T4
- Notice of Assessment
- Employer reference letter

- Your company will give you T4. You should already be having T4 for 2015 from your employer.
- You should also be having your NOA if you filed your taxes for 2015.
- For reference letter, it will depend on your company policy. Either you'll create the letter and review with your manager or your HR/Manager will create one as per your request.

 

[ayano0312]

Thank you for your help!

Yes I already have T4 for 2015. So I need T4 for January to October, and it will be issued after I finish my 1 year work experience in October right?

And,

>You should also be having your NOA if you filed your taxes for 2015.

Is that mean tax return or something? I didn't do that this year... I thought I would do that next year. I was lazy...

 

[jes_ON]

Yes I already have T4 for 2015. So I need T4 for January to October, and it will be issued after I finish my 1 year work experience in October right?

No, T4s are for the calendar year, and are issued in February-March of the following year, for completing your tax return.


>You should also be having your NOA if you filed your taxes for 2015.

Is that mean tax return or something? I didn't do that this year... I thought I would do that next year. I was lazy...

NOA - Notice of Assessment - is the document you receive from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) after you file your tax return.

Canadians take taxes very seriously - if you want to become a PR, you cannot be "lazy" about filing your tax return. Do it ASAP (better late than never), and complete your 2016 return as early as possible in 2017 (in case CIC asks for those documents later on).

 

[ayano0312]

> No, T4s are for the calendar year, and are issued in February-March of the following year, for completing your tax return.

But I'll finish my 1 year working experience on October. In that case, should I send only T4 for 2015 (which I received in this February)?
I thought that I need to ask another T4 for my company after I finish 1 year in October.


> Canadians take taxes very seriously - if you want to become a PR, you cannot be "lazy" about filing your tax return. Do it ASAP (better late than never), and complete your 2016 return as early as possible in 2017 (in case CIC asks for those documents later on).

I'll do it right away... thank you! So, Notice of Assessment is not from my company, but the Canada Revenue Agency.


I just got a reply from my agent that my way low income might can affect my application... my wage is less than half of the average wage ($24.99) of my job. But I can't do anything about this... all I can do is just cross my finger and fulfill my job.

 

[scylla]

You are overdue filing your taxes for 2015. As others have said, you should file as soon as possible.

Your consultant is probably referring to wage table on the link below:

http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?mid=22447&area=0236&lang=eng&noc=2175&ln=n&s=1#report_tabs_container2