Post-Graduate Work Permit Expiring while CEC is in process

[carlopop]

Your employer sucks. Your LMO application should be easy since you had a PGWP and thus your employer is exempt from having to demonstrate recruitment efforts etc... I was in the same boat and offered to fill out the application myself for them. This step for us(PGWP'ers) is merely a formality. Had a little hiccup when I called to follow up on it since technically we aren't allowed to be involved in the process but all was resolved with a phone call from a colleague.

Good luck and don't give up. LMO should be the way to go for you as you have no disadvantage to achieving a positive one.

 

[shells]

Thanks, Carlopop.

They are scared like hell, worried of the huge consequences (with the idea that an LMO means having to sponsor me, and that the company needs to pay for LMO). If I do anything wrong, the company is responsible for me. Claimed that they rarely ever do LMO for any employees. I don't like working for my ex-boss (always late with paychecks, no medical benefits, etc...), but I'd do whatever I have to do - whatever I need to stay in status, even if it means I have to work back for him.

 

[jes_ON]

They are scared like hell, worried of the huge consequences (with the idea that an LMO means having to sponsor me, and that the company needs to pay for LMO). If I do anything wrong, the company is responsible for me. Claimed that they rarely ever do LMO for any employees. I don't like working for my ex-boss (always late with paychecks, no medical benefits, etc...), but I'd do whatever I have to do - whatever I need to stay in status, even if it means I have to work back for him.

I guess some people prefer to live in fear and ignorance rather than taking 2 minutes to inform themselves. Geez.

1) LMO does not cost anything, other than postage to mail the application. Free.
2) The LMO is not sponsorship and is only related to a temporary work permit, not permanent residence.
3) There is no "sponsorship." The only requirements incurred through this process is the requirement to live up to the contractual terms submitted to HRSDC for the LMO. Employers who fail to pay the promised wage, etc., might be denied another LMO in the future - HUGE consequences There's no requirement even that they continue to employ you.
4) Not sure what your company fears you would do "wrong" that they would be responsible for - they would be no more or less responsible for you than any other employee.

Because you are a current holder of a post-graduate work permit, there are special allowances that make it easier to apply, and easier to get the LMO. Even tho they want you to apply 4 months in advance, it is not too late.

Show your employer this information:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/intstugrad.shtml

Fill out the form yourself if you have to (there will be a couple of things only your employer can do), and show him/her how easy it is.

 

[jes_ON]

The fact sheet is very, very misleading.. having to apply for LMO by the employer completely defeats the meaning of those 2 sentences, "CEC applicants can keep working in Canada while their application for permanent residence is processed." and "Temporary foreign workers and recent international graduates can make the transition to permanent status on their own merit, without the need for any supporting documents from their employers."

Why do they even write that when you STILL NEED AN LMO from the employer, while the CEC is under process? I just don't get it.

I agree, it is shockingly misleading. I can foresee many employers refusing to apply for an LMO because of this, as well as refusing to provide letters of reference for the CEC application. We can hope that it will be true in the future, but it isn't at the moment...

 

[shells]

I guess some people prefer to live in fear and ignorance rather than taking 2 minutes to inform themselves. Geez.

1) LMO does not cost anything, other than postage to mail the application. Free.
2) The LMO is not sponsorship and is only related to a temporary work permit, not permanent residence.
3) There is no "sponsorship." The only requirements incurred through this process is the requirement to live up to the contractual terms submitted to HRSDC for the LMO. Employers who fail to pay the promised wage, etc., might be denied another LMO in the future - HUGE consequences There's no requirement even that they continue to employ you.
4) Not sure what your company fears you would do "wrong" that they would be responsible for - they would be no more or less responsible for you than any other employee.

Because you are a current holder of a post-graduate work permit, there are special allowances that make it easier to apply, and easier to get the LMO. Even tho they want you to apply 4 months in advance, it is not too late.

Show your employer this information:
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/intstugrad.shtml

Fill out the form yourself if you have to (there will be a couple of things only your employer can do), and show him/her how easy it is.

Thanks jes_on,

If it was as easy as showing them how to do this and filling up the form, I won't be fretting over it. I had a brief conversation with my boss before and his attitude was so adamant and the three letters "LMO" is almost like a huge taboo to his ears. I told him some of the things you mentioned, but it seems he's not understanding towards it.

I work for a huge Canadian company now, so they are unnecessarily paranoid about many things (and less understanding towards immigrants situations as a whole). My ex-boss is more understanding and compassionate where immigration is concerned, because him and his whole family immigrated from Hong Kong from many years ago. I totally HATE IT how he's always late with his paychecks, but on the other hand, he's very understanding if and when I need to take unpaid vacations for 3-6 weeks in a row to go back to my own country to spend time with my parents (they are in their 70s, and I'm an only child). All of my ex-coworkers, myself included, have done that (even a coworker who was only with the company for only 7 months at that time, took 1 month to go home for Chinese New Year). After we come back from our vacations, he still keeps our jobs for us. You would not even dream of doing that with any North American company.

Over the last 10 years I've worked for big and small companies (be it in Asia or Canada), and also had my own business long time ago, and I find that people from bigger corporations tend to be "colder" and people from smaller businesses are "warmer" and more willing to help. It's a little scary, but true.

 

[shells]

I agree, it is shockingly misleading. I can foresee many employers refusing to apply for an LMO because of this, as well as refusing to provide letters of reference for the CEC application. We can hope that it will be true in the future, but it isn't at the moment...

We should bring this factsheet to the attention of Kenny and ask him what he says.. Didn't he just say he wanted to admit more CEC applicants and make it easier for foreign graduates? If that's truly the case, then the LMO should be waived for them when they progress from PGWP to CEC.