CSQ taking too long/ nothing has been requested yet

[Eduarda]

Dear all,

I submitted CSQ application on January 9th 2024 and I have not heard a word back from MIFI. Anyone on the same situation? Because my PGWP expired a day after I applied for the CSQ I no longer hold a job in Quebec plus the listening French test result I sent with my application was a temporary one since the official result was gonna take 2 weeks to be sent to me and I had to apply for CSQ before my PGWP expired. I was expecting MIFI to contact me at some point and request the official French test result or even latest pay-checks (which I would not be able to provide, since the company I worked for let me go due to my expired PGWP). It's been almost 5 months since I sent my application to MIFI and their silence is bothering me. I am afraid they gonna see that my PGWP expired a day after the CSQ application and therefore I am unemployed and that this could be a reason for them to refuse my application. The fact that they haven't even requested me the official French test result is causing me anxiety as well, since this would be the least they could request of me.

Anyone in a similar situation or does anyone have any inputs or comments that would shed me some light?

Thank you!

 

[gdbart]

Dear all,

I applied for the CSQ on January 9th 2024 and I have not heard a word back from MIFI. Anyone on the same situation? Because my PGWP expired a day after I applied for the CSQ I no longer hold a job in Quebec plus the listening French test result I sent with my application was a temporary one since the official result was gonna take 2 weeks to be sent to me and I had to apply for CSQ before my PGWP expired. I was expecting MIFI to contact me at some point and request the official French test result or even latest pay-checks (which I would not be able to provide, since the company I worked for let me go due to my expired PGWP). It's been almost 5 months since I sent my application to MIFI and their silence is bothering me. I am afraid they gonna see that my PGWP expired a day after the CSQ application and therefore I am unemployed and that this could be a reason for them to refuse my application. The fact that they haven't even requested me the official French test result is causing me anxiety as well, since this would be the least they could request of me.

Anyone in a similar situation or does anyone have any inputs or comments that would shed me some light?

Thank you!

Did you receive the request to do the democratic values test?
It took 5 months to change from Waiting to be processed to In process and is exactly 6 months today since we submitted our application.

 

[Eduarda]

Hi thanks for your message. Yes I did receive the request for the democratic test back in February if I am not mistaken. Haven’t received any other request at all since then.

 

[nzkko]

These days it rarely takes less than 5-6 months. So you should hear something soon.

 

[Eduarda]

I understand that it’s taking no less than 6/5 months, but I find it odd that I haven’t heard anything at all. As I said, I would expect at least them to request the official French test result since I submitted a temporary one. In your case, you heard from them which is a good sign, not my case though.

 

[nzkko]

There was no update on my file for 5 and a half months, and then they started working on the application. Good luck.

 

[Mnt]

There's no temporary French test. Either you have it or you don't.
You can submit new documents at any point, if you already has your new exam what are you waiting for? Just add it in Arrima, why wait for them to ask and risk even longer processing times?

 

[Eduarda]

There's no temporary French test. Either you have it or you don't.
You can submit new documents at any point, if you already has your new exam what are you waiting for? Just add it in Arrima, why wait for them to ask and risk even longer processing times?

In fact there is. What happened was that I took the French test (listening only cause I had passed the oral test before) one day before I submitted the CSQ application. Since it takes them 15 days or so to issue the official results, I decided to upload the ‘provisoire’ results, otherwise I was going to miss my deadline to submit CSQ application. My work permit expired 1 day after I submitted CSQ application. It does sound very confusing but I do understand it took me too long to pass french tests in order to apply for the CSQ. I had no other choice.
I don’t know whether my application will be accepted due to the fact I no longer hold a job in Quebec (Work permit expired) and I didn’t know I was able to upload documents even after the application was submitted.
It’s been now 5 months since I submitted my application. I am very worried. No words from them.

 

[Eduarda]

I finally heard from MIFI. They sent me a list of docs to submit, including 'Work Attestation' up to date (30 days) plus latest pay checks plus official TCF results plus revenu quebec 2023, and a few other docs. I no longer hold a job in Quebec (PGWP is expired) therefore I won't be able to provide 'Work Attestation' and the pay-checks. What would be the solution to this, if any? Will a lawyer be able to help me in any way? Thank you.

 

[Mnt]

I finally heard from MIFI. They sent me a list of docs to submit, including 'Work Attestation' up to date (30 days) plus latest pay checks plus official TCF results plus revenu quebec 2023, and a few other docs. I no longer hold a job in Quebec (PGWP is expired) therefore I won't be able to provide 'Work Attestation' and the pay-checks. What would be the solution to this, if any? Will a lawyer be able to help me in any way? Thank you.

So it took them 6 months to get back to you?

Before you go pay expensive lawyer fees, you have to assess if you are eligible for the program.
You don't need to be working now, but you had to be working when you submitted your application.
Meaning that the work attestation that they asked must contain proof of work until after you submitted your application:

To be eligible, you must also have a job that meets these criteria at the time you apply and for at least 24 of the 36 months before you submit your application.​

https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/quebec-experience-program/selection-conditions/temporary-workers​

Make sure that your employer letter contains your job duties so they can determine you are on the correct NOC.
Revenu Québec tax returns is to confirm your job experience on these companies.
Unless you are applying under the graduates stream?

For the French exam, you either had a certificate or not. Like I said before there's no temporary results.
Since you took your French exam one day before you submitted your application, you don't have the results from before your application, so you might not be eligible, unfortunately.
But it's not said that you needed the French results at the time you apply, only that you need a level 7 or more. So I would still try and hope for the best, they might still accept, who knows.
I would read the immigration law and see what's exactly written there.

I also suggest writing a very detailed letter explaining your situation and why the dates are so close, and submit along with the documents. It might help the immigration officer to understand your case better. Maybe that's how a lawyer can help you, but it's nothing you couldn't do yourself.

Good luck!

 

[Eduarda]

So it took them 6 months to get back to you?

Before you go pay expensive lawyer fees, you have to assess if you are eligible for the program.
You don't need to be working now, but you had to be working when you submitted your application.
Meaning that the work attestation that they asked must contain proof of work until after you submitted your application:

To be eligible, you must also have a job that meets these criteria at the time you apply and for at least 24 of the 36 months before you submit your application.​

https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/quebec-experience-program/selection-conditions/temporary-workers​

Make sure that your employer letter contains your job duties so they can determine you are on the correct NOC.
Revenu Québec tax returns is to confirm your job experience on these companies.
Unless you are applying under the graduates stream?

For the French exam, you either had a certificate or not. Like I said before there's no temporary results.
Since you took your French exam one day before you submitted your application, you don't have the results from before your application, so you might not be eligible, unfortunately.
But it's not said that you needed the French results at the time you apply, only that you need a level 7 or more. So I would still try and hope for the best, they might still accept, who knows.
I would read the immigration law and see what's exactly written there.

I also suggest writing a very detailed letter explaining your situation and why the dates are so close, and submit along with the documents. It might help the immigration officer to understand your case better. Maybe that's how a lawyer can help you, but it's nothing you couldn't do yourself.

Good luck!

Thanks for your response. Why are they asking me for Work Attestation with less than 30 days’ validity then? Also latest pay-checks?


A friend of mine told me that they say we need to hold a job at the moment of the application however until they finalize it our application is still being processed meaning I would have to have a job throughout the entire time, until final decision. It does make sense to me, unfortunately.


Another piece of information regarding my case is that because my PGWP expired I had to change my status to visitor. I can’t even be hired by any company because I am no longer authorized to work in Canada. That’s what makes my situation even worse I think.

 

[Mnt]

Thanks for your response. Why are they asking me for Work Attestation with less than 30 days’ validity then? Also latest pay-checks?

It has to be within the last 30 days because it has to be up to date. It doesn't mean that you have to be currently working.​

I'm pretty sure that they want to confirm that you were working when you submitted the application, specially because your visa expired the next day, it's a red flag to them.​

You have to contact your employer and ask them to put the dates from when you started working there and when you stopped. Explain to them why you need it so they make sure that the last date you worked there is really correct. Your last day on the letter must be the date you applied or the day after (expiry date of your PGWP).​

All the other documents are to support your work attestation. Your last paycheck must contain the period of your last day of work.​

Attach the Record of Employment as well. That will have your last date at work too. This document can be obtained on Service Canada's website on the SIN section. If it's not there, request from your employer, they are legally required to provide it once you stop working.​

A friend of mine told me that they say we need to hold a job at the moment of the application however until they finalize it our application is still being processed meaning I would have to have a job throughout the entire time, until final decision. It does make sense to me, unfortunately.

Sorry but your friend is uninformed. It doesn't say anywhere that you have to hold your job during the application, just at the time you apply. Think about it, they don't provide an accurate deadline, it could take forever to process your application, you are a temporary resident so how can they demand for your visa to remain valid forever?​

They just need to check you were working when you submitted the application.​

Another piece of information regarding my case is that because my PGWP expired I had to change my status to visitor. I can’t even be hired by any company because I am no longer authorized to work in Canada. That’s what makes my situation even worse I think.

That's totally fine and you are doing the right thing. It's either that or leaving the country.​

See my comments in red.
Don't forget to write a very detailed letter of explanation to your file.

Good luck.

 

[Eduarda]

See my comments in red.
Don't forget to write a very detailed letter of explanation to your file.

Good luck.

Hi, thanks so much for your reply.
I spoke to my lawyer and indeed the fact that I no longer hold a job in Quebec plus the fact that I no longer hold a valid work permit, meaning I can’t even get a new job, is problematic.
In fact that’s not written anywhere, however that’s how the agents are handling their cases and unemployed applicants are having their applications denied.
They do provide an accurate deadline, it’s 6 months. They sent me the intent of refusal a few days before the end of the 6 months deadline.
When it comes to immigration not every little detail is written and rules are implicitly defined.

 

[Eduarda]

Hi, I wanted to provide feedback on how my situation was finalized. MIFI had requested that I resubmit all the documentation I initially provided, along with all pages of my income tax returns. Then, they sent me another 'intent of refusal' asking for the same tax return pages (again). A few weeks later, they invited me to an in-person interview, which took place last week.

The interview lasted over an hour and was quite challenging. The questions were advanced, making my answers poorly worded. The feedback I received was that my French proficiency was insufficient to pass the interview. Consequently, I was informed that I would receive a letter of refusal, confirming that I did not pass.

I have since received the refusal letter and will be leaving the country.

 

[Unknown777]

So it took them 6 months to get back to you?

Before you go pay expensive lawyer fees, you have to assess if you are eligible for the program.
You don't need to be working now, but you had to be working when you submitted your application.
Meaning that the work attestation that they asked must contain proof of work until after you submitted your application:

To be eligible, you must also have a job that meets these criteria at the time you apply and for at least 24 of the 36 months before you submit your application.​

https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/quebec-experience-program/selection-conditions/temporary-workers​

Make sure that your employer letter contains your job duties so they can determine you are on the correct NOC.
Revenu Québec tax returns is to confirm your job experience on these companies.
Unless you are applying under the graduates stream?

For the French exam, you either had a certificate or not. Like I said before there's no temporary results.
Since you took your French exam one day before you submitted your application, you don't have the results from before your application, so you might not be eligible, unfortunately.
But it's not said that you needed the French results at the time you apply, only that you need a level 7 or more. So I would still try and hope for the best, they might still accept, who knows.
I would read the immigration law and see what's exactly written there.

I also suggest writing a very detailed letter explaining your situation and why the dates are so close, and submit along with the documents. It might help the immigration officer to understand your case better. Maybe that's how a lawyer can help you, but it's nothing you couldn't do yourself.

Good luck!

Hello Mnt ,
So the CLB 7 is only for ORAL or for all the modules?
I want to apply via the Quebec Economic Program. My lawyer advised me to learn French and told me just oral is required. But I see mixed information online.
Can you please guide me?