Extending IEC or pursuing PR as an Australian IT Professional without a degree

[bocajbee]

Hello,

I am currently living in Vancouver on a two year working holiday visa. This expires on April 25th, 2019. (I understand I have left this pretty late). I am a 23 year old Australian IT Professional, without a college degree, employed by a recruiter; TEKsystems as a 40 hour a week contractor, working for lululemon.

I have been working as a POS support Specialist for TEKsystems/lululemon for 6 months now, there have been hints about me being hired as a full time lululemon employee, sometime in the near future (however this is not confirmed by any means yet). My current contract was also recently renewed for another 6 months to the end of December. My manager has made it clear that I need to have this figured out, as he wants to keep me on well past when my visa expires in April.

While I got lucky, and have been able to peruse a career in IT at such an early age without any university level education; I understand this does have a negative impact on my immigration prospects; as I lose out on a lot of points. Currently I only have around 375 points max, nowhere near enough to be considered for PR.

I've had colleagues who have been able to extend their two year working holiday visa from 2 years to 4 years, and others who went straight for PR. In your opinion, what would seem most feasible for me?

Additionally I've been research in regards to getting nominated by my province under BCPNP. They also have a BCPNP tech pilot program I would be eligible for as well. Being nominated by British Columbia would give me an extra 600 points to my understanding. I understand my job NOC is in the supported list for this program as well. (2282 User Support Technicians)

https://www.welcomebc.ca/Immigrate-to-B-C/B-C-Provincial-Nominee-Program/BC-PNP-Tech-Pilot

I also understand it is possible to extend an IEC visa though too if you have a valid job offer that has been extended past the expiatory date of your visa. Is the information alluding to this here correct?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/extend-change.html

Here is also a URL to my LinkedIn profile to get an idea of my working background, if that helps too:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-allen-73309b101/

Please let me know what would be the best way to proceed if you were in my shoes. I imagine it would be wise to pursue both avenues of being able to stay past next April?

 

[scylla]

You cannot extend a working holiday visa. You haven't fully read the information in the link you provided above. Only YP and Co-Op IECs can be extended. You hold a Working Holiday Visa - so extending is not possible. You should look into the Young Professionals IEC program which is employer-specific. It's possible that could be an option. However not sure if that will work without having a diploma/degree. Alternatively your employer would need to obtain an approved LMIA so that you can apply for a closed work permit. This is a long and expensive process for the employer with no guarantee of approval. It also requires the employer to advertise your job and prove that no Canadian could be found for the role. This tends to be quite difficult to prove in the IT field.

You're correct when it comes to Canada's immigration programs. The fact you lack a degree is impacting your points and I don't think it's going to be feasible for you to be selected through Express Entry (either CEC or FSW).

I'm not familiar enough with the BCPNP program to give you direction there. But definitely an option you should look into.

 

[bocajbee]

Thank you for the reply!

Yeah I kind of figured that would be the case with my current visa. Looks like realistically the BCPNP Tech pilot is my best shot, as it would shoot my points up to 900+ for a potential PR application if successful.

I've been doing a bit more reading too. Could the following also be an avenue I could go after/apply for a second time?

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/eligibility.asp?_ga=2.149377397.2130938427.1534093058-2009866194.1534093058

Young Professionals
Gain Canadian professional work experience to better compete in a global economy.

The type of work permit you get in the Young Professionals category is an employer-specific work permit.

This category is for you if:

• You have a job offer in Canada that contributes to your professional development. (Would working full time, or in a 40 hour per week open ended contract in an IT role, within a company such as lululemon count?)
• You’ll work for the same employer in the same location during your stay in Canada. (I do plan to stay in lululemon long term to grow my career if possible)

Under this category, work must be:

• paid
• not self-employed

Your employer must meet all labour laws in the province or territory you plan to work including meeting minimum wage requirements.

The job you are offered in Canada must be classified as a National Occupational Classification (NOC) Code Skill Type Level 0, A or B to be considered as contributing to your “professional development.” (Pretty sure my NOC is level B) A NOC C job might be accepted if you can submit a post-secondary diploma, certificate or degree, with your work permit application. Your diploma, certificate or degree must be translated to English or French.

If anyone else has any input, please let me know.