Express Entry CRS Score and Full Time Internship

[arian.seyedi]

Hi all,
I'm applying to become permanent resident of Canada and I have a question about my score:

I have worked consecutively for 16 month as an intern while I was completing my Bachelor degree (after 3rd year). It was not part of my education in the sense that my program was not a Co-op one and did not require the completion of any work term in order to graduate, but I did get hired on the basis of being a student and applied for a co-op work permit. I did not take any courses, I was a full time paid employee of an established company. Can I make my case to get one extra year worth of CRS score under Canadian experience? Am I risking rejection of my application altogether, even if I explain the situation in a letter? I have a friend who did the same and was successful.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[primaprime]

You can't count any work experience gained while you were a student in Canada. What exactly do you mean by "I did not take any courses"?

 

[arian.seyedi]

You can't count any work experience gained while you were a student in Canada. What exactly do you mean by "I did not take any courses"?

Well, I meant that I was not working and studying at the same time, if that made any difference which it seems like it does not. This really hurts. With a score around 440 I worry that I may not get accepted in the 12 months that I can be in the pool before my application expires. Sure I can always wait to gain more experience and apply, say next year, but that puts me < 1yr close to the expiry of my work permit.

 

[primaprime]

If you get a year of skilled work experience in Canada after graduation, your score should likely be around 470 and get drawn in time. If you don't already have top scores on your IELTS look into retaking the test.

 

[arian.seyedi]

If you get a year of skilled work experience in Canada after graduation, your score should likely be around 470 and get drawn in time. If you don't already have top scores on your IELTS look into retaking the test.

Thank you. I just rescheduled for a new one.
I have a question regarding Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program OINP program. I seem to be eligible for International Student stream and there it does not mention that my employer needs to submit an LMIA application for me. Can I take that as I do not need LMIA to get accepted under OINP - International Student program? I meet all the other requirements. I have been employed by the same employer for over a year now. Thank you so much for taking my questions @primaprime!

 

[primaprime]

Yes, if you can get in. The stream was last open for applications in March and closed within hours due to extreme demand.

 

[arian.seyedi]

Yes, if you can get in. The stream was last open for applications in March and closed within hours due to extreme demand.

Thanks for the response. I understand... In fact, it's closed now. I'll check that daily. Can I at least check off the box that says I have a job offer on my express entry profile? That improves my mark a lot. Does that offer need an LMIA? I have read the section that explains what makes a job offer valid and it's quite vague to me whether I need an LMIA for that one or not?

 

[primaprime]

No, you don't have a valid job offer because you need an LMIA.