ITA received… but

[Apate492]

Hello, Just wanted some suggestions on what to do. Explaining my situation as briefly as possible:
1. I arrived in Canada in 2015 for a 2 years PG course starting fall 2015. I did not pay much attention to the course and started lagging. I did not get the minimum grade for a pre requisite course in winter 2016. With all the confusion with the courses, I was able to finish this course in 4 years due to the course only being available in fall, with a gap of a whole year, didn’t study, didn’t work but stayed in Canada.
2. Finally finished the course in April 2019, applied for PGWP in July 2019, got PGWP rejection letter in Nov 2019.
3. Applied for a restoration of status & study permit in Nov 2019 with the help of a consultant and got my status back in May 2020.
4. Started studying again, finished a one year course, applied for PGWP, again with the help of a consultant and received the permit for 3 years.
5. Started working in a NOC B category job and received my ITA after 2 years.
6. The question is, since I did not complete my course in time and there is a gap of one year in my timeline, are there higher chances of my PR being rejected?
Should I proceed to apply for the PR and try to explain is as much as I can or should I contact the consultant and let them do the application on my behalf? I understand that the chances of rejection will be the same if I apply it or the consultant but I am unable to comprehend as to why I got the PGWP and Invitation if this was going to hang on my head forever. Any suggestions would help!

 

[novemberrain]

Since this case is complicated, I would consult with an RCIC if I were you! They have the sufficient knowledge and experience to help you here.

 

[Apate492]

Since this case is complicated, I would consult with an RCIC if I were you! They have the sufficient knowledge and experience to help you here.

Thank you for your response, much appreciated!
I’ve been thinking that as well.

 

[scylla]

Thank you for your response, much appreciated!
I’ve been thinking that as well.

I'm of a different opinion. I don't think you need an RCIC. You can easily apply on your own.

As you said, you got your PGWP approved and gained Canadian work experience legally on that. Your status in Canada is legal as well.

I don't see anything complicated about your situation.

Yes, in your personal history you want to be honest about any periods of time when you were out of status in Canada (while waiting for restoration). However that doesn't create any complexities for your application IMO.

Simply respond honestly to all questions and you're good to go.

Having said that, if getting advice from a professional gives you more comfort, then you can always do that. If you go with an RCIC vs. lawyer, pick your RCIC carefully. Some are really not that good with anything beyond a very standard application.

 

[Apate492]

Scylla, thank you for your response, much appreciated!
I was of the same opinion previously as well and was gathering things to apply for the PR on my own. However, while filling up the form, I realized that I do not have a clean history, like how usually people do, and it just made me wonder. Especially the part where I have a gap of one year where I was not studying or working or had left Canada. I am unsure as to what goes into that personal activity list and what not. If I fill that gap with study, it raises questions, if I fill the gap as unemployed, same thing. Just when I thought that I had left my bad phase/bad choices period behind! Sigh*

 

[novemberrain]

I'm of a different opinion. I don't think you need an RCIC. You can easily apply on your own.

As you said, you got your PGWP approved and gained Canadian work experience legally on that. Your status in Canada is legal as well.

I don't see anything complicated about your situation.

Yes, in your personal history you want to be honest about any periods of time when you were out of status in Canada (while waiting for restoration). However that doesn't create any complexities for your application IMO.

Simply respond honestly to all questions and you're good to go.

Having said that, if getting advice from a professional gives you more comfort, then you can always do that. If you go with an RCIC vs. lawyer, pick your RCIC carefully. Some are really not that good with anything beyond a very standard application.

This is good too! I think the best option would be to get some hours with an RCIC to straighten out everything so you can apply it yourself!