Visa extension denied - what options do I have to stay in Canada?

[cu_iva]

Hello there,

I would appreciate some advise regarding my situation and my current status in Canada. I am originally from Croatia and came to Canada in October 2019 on a 1year-Working Holiday visa.
My visa officially expired on October 22, 2020 but one month before my visa expired, I applied for an extension based on the consultation with an immigration office. However, I decided to apply by myself without hiring the office. Anyways, my application was denied because I applied under LMIA-Exempt C10 which is employer specific and I didn't provide Offer of Employment. To make a long story short - my company didn't express any interest in sponsoring me and my TRS expired in December 2020. Based on my research, I would be eligible to apply for a second Working Holiday visa. However, the pool is closed for 2021 and they didn't issue invitations since March 2020. What options are left for me in order to stay in Canada? Currently, I am looking for jobs willing to sponsor me.

Thank you in advance!

 

[scylla]

Hello there,

I would appreciate some advise regarding my situation and my current status in Canada. I am originally from Croatia and came to Canada in October 2019 on a 1year-Working Holiday visa.
My visa officially expired on October 22, 2020 but one month before my visa expired, I applied for an extension based on the consultation with an immigration office. However, I decided to apply by myself without hiring the office. Anyways, my application was denied because I applied under LMIA-Exempt C10 which is employer specific and I didn't provide Offer of Employment. To make a long story short - my company didn't express any interest in sponsoring me and my TRS expired in December 2020. Based on my research, I would be eligible to apply for a second Working Holiday visa. However, the pool is closed for 2021 and they didn't issue invitations since March 2020. What options are left for me in order to stay in Canada? Currently, I am looking for jobs willing to sponsor me.

Thank you in advance!

As a first step, you should apply to restore your status since you are now in Canada without status as a result of your extension being refused. That's a pretty important first step.

Once you've done that, yes, you can look for an employer who is willing to give you a job offer and most likely obtain an approved LMIA so that you can qualify to apply for a closed work permit.

In terms of the IEC program, it's hard to say when that will reopen again so I wouldn't count on that as a means of getting a work permit in the immediate future. However certainly keep your eye out for updates to the program.

 

[cu_iva]

As a first step, you should apply to restore your status since you are now in Canada without status as a result of your extension being refused. That's a pretty important first step.

Once you've done that, yes, you can look for an employer who is willing to give you a job offer and most likely obtain an approved LMIA so that you can qualify to apply for a closed work permit.

In terms of the IEC program, it's hard to say when that will reopen again so I wouldn't count on that as a means of getting a work permit in the immediate future. However certainly keep your eye out for updates to the program.

Thank you for your reply. I do have one question (maybe an odd one) regarding the restoration process. They are asking for Proof of funds - can a guarantee letter of a family member who is supporting you be enough instead? Or does it has to include a statement from the bank?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Naturgrl]

Thank you for your reply. I do have one question (maybe an odd one) regarding the restoration process. They are asking for Proof of funds - can a guarantee letter of a family member who is supporting you be enough instead? Or does it has to include a statement from the bank?

Thanks in advance.

It must be your funds (link below) but you can show some funds of a family member if they live in Canada and are hosting you. They will need to show their tax assessments (NOAs) that they have income and a letter from their employer.

Temporary residents: Proof of Funds / Financial Support - Canada.ca

 

[canuck78]

You should expect that most employers will not be willing to go through the LMIA process and if you do the process will be lengthy between the LMIA and applying for a WP.