Desperate for Help: I'm Losing My Mind ; will my experience count or should I refuse my invitation

[MirhimahSultan]

I want to give you some context here, as I'm losing my mind and could really use your help. I have worked for a company named Wiley Edge, where I served as a Full-Stack Development Trainee and as a Software Reliability Engineering Trainee. The concept of the company is that they hire you, train you, and then place you with one of their clients. In reality, we took classes in the mornings as if we were literally in school, and in the afternoons, we did hands-on programming like any programmer would do, but on a simulated application. However, I was not paid as a real engineer, but rather received a minimal salary of $625 per week so 2500$ a month *.



Fast forward, I couldn't find a placement with them, so I started working as an insurance advisor, where I worked for 10 months.



In the meantime, I completed all the necessary steps, including language tests, and I applied for the ITA with the two jobs stated above. Before applying, I asked around for advice, albeit somewhat loosely, and I kept getting responses like, "Yeah, it should be more than fine if you were paid."



Fast forward, I received an ITA, but I have been contacting the company for a reference letter, and they are literally ghosting me since they rebranded to a new company. I find myself struggling to write a letter of explanation, which is challenging because I've been jumping through all kinds of hoops and attaching the most random emails and code snippets to provide proof.



Now, I see a random Reddit post about someone being refused because of NOC code issues, and I don't know if it's a sign or what.



I find myself back at square one. I want to cry; my work permit expires on September 15. Part of me wants to test my luck with the unconventional programming experience because at least I can apply for a BOWP that way, and I have already started gathering the rest of the documents and spent substantial money.



At the same time, I'm tempted to hit that decline invitation button to wait two more months at my current job and gain more work experience to apply with only that one job. However, I'm unsure how declining an ITA affects my future chances and whether changing my info in the future while re-entering the pool would be considered misrepresentation. Additionally, the thought of going back to the fear and wait for the ITA is not appealing.



Frankly, I'm just losing my mind at this point, have no idea what to do, and want to cry all the time and hug my parents but can't even do that. Any advice would be highly, highly, highly appreciated.

 

[scylla]

I want to give you some context here, as I'm losing my mind and could really use your help. I have worked for a company named Wiley Edge, where I served as a Full-Stack Development Trainee and as a Software Reliability Engineering Trainee. The concept of the company is that they hire you, train you, and then place you with one of their clients. In reality, we took classes in the mornings as if we were literally in school, and in the afternoons, we did hands-on programming like any programmer would do, but on a simulated application. However, I was not paid as a real engineer, but rather received a minimal salary of $625 per month.



Fast forward, I couldn't find a placement with them, so I started working as an insurance advisor, where I worked for 10 months.



In the meantime, I completed all the necessary steps, including language tests, and I applied for the ITA with the two jobs stated above. Before applying, I asked around for advice, albeit somewhat loosely, and I kept getting responses like, "Yeah, it should be more than fine if you were paid."



Fast forward, I received an ITA, but I have been contacting the company for a reference letter, and they are literally ghosting me since they rebranded to a new company. I find myself struggling to write a letter of explanation, which is challenging because I've been jumping through all kinds of hoops and attaching the most random emails and code snippets to provide proof.



Now, I see a random Reddit post about someone being refused because of NOC code issues, and I don't know if it's a sign or what.



I find myself back at square one. I want to cry; my work permit expires on September 15. Part of me wants to test my luck with the unconventional programming experience because at least I can apply for a BOWP that way, and I have already started gathering the rest of the documents and spent substantial money.



At the same time, I'm tempted to hit that decline invitation button to wait two more months at my current job and gain more work experience to apply with only that one job. However, I'm unsure how declining an ITA affects my future chances and whether changing my info in the future while re-entering the pool would be considered misrepresentation. Additionally, the thought of going back to the fear and wait for the ITA is not appealing.



Frankly, I'm just losing my mind at this point, have no idea what to do, and want to cry all the time and hug my parents but can't even do that. Any advice would be highly, highly, highly appreciated.

My two cents is that you cannot claim this as work experience. You weren't actually working and weren't paid a normal salary. Trying to claim this as work sounds like misrepresentation to me. If you want to try to move forward with the ITA, I would consult with an immigration lawyer.

 

[MirhimahSultan]

My two cents is that you cannot claim this as work experience. You weren't actually working and weren't paid a normal salary. Trying to claim this as work sounds like misrepresentation to me. If you want to try to move forward with the ITA, I would consult with an immigration lawyer.

Thanks for your input ,...we did do tons of coding and real-life tasks , it was jut on a fake app kind of thing : ( ......do you think refusing the invitation affect your changes in the future ?

 

[MirhimahSultan]

the problem is what is the NOC of what I was doing then , literally nothing else applies....

 

[scylla]

Thanks for your input ,...we did do tons of coding and real-life tasks , it was jut on a fake app kind of thing : ( ......do you think refusing the invitation affect your changes in the future ?

No, declining ITA does not impact future chances of being invited.

It sounds like you can't get a work experience letter. There are ways around this but that includes providing other evidence such as evidence of pay. $625 per month is well well below minimum wage. I don't see how IRCC would accept this as work experience.

 

[GandiBaat]

I want to give you some context here, as I'm losing my mind and could really use your help. I have worked for a company named Wiley Edge, where I served as a Full-Stack Development Trainee and as a Software Reliability Engineering Trainee. The concept of the company is that they hire you, train you, and then place you with one of their clients. In reality, we took classes in the mornings as if we were literally in school, and in the afternoons, we did hands-on programming like any programmer would do, but on a simulated application. However, I was not paid as a real engineer, but rather received a minimal salary of $625 per month.



Fast forward, I couldn't find a placement with them, so I started working as an insurance advisor, where I worked for 10 months.



In the meantime, I completed all the necessary steps, including language tests, and I applied for the ITA with the two jobs stated above. Before applying, I asked around for advice, albeit somewhat loosely, and I kept getting responses like, "Yeah, it should be more than fine if you were paid."



Fast forward, I received an ITA, but I have been contacting the company for a reference letter, and they are literally ghosting me since they rebranded to a new company. I find myself struggling to write a letter of explanation, which is challenging because I've been jumping through all kinds of hoops and attaching the most random emails and code snippets to provide proof.



Now, I see a random Reddit post about someone being refused because of NOC code issues, and I don't know if it's a sign or what.



I find myself back at square one. I want to cry; my work permit expires on September 15. Part of me wants to test my luck with the unconventional programming experience because at least I can apply for a BOWP that way, and I have already started gathering the rest of the documents and spent substantial money.



At the same time, I'm tempted to hit that decline invitation button to wait two more months at my current job and gain more work experience to apply with only that one job. However, I'm unsure how declining an ITA affects my future chances and whether changing my info in the future while re-entering the pool would be considered misrepresentation. Additionally, the thought of going back to the fear and wait for the ITA is not appealing.



Frankly, I'm just losing my mind at this point, have no idea what to do, and want to cry all the time and hug my parents but can't even do that. Any advice would be highly, highly, highly appreciated.

My friend, as a person who did his own PR in the past, here is the first piece of advice for you : Immigration is like a court case and requires legal knowledge. So either spend enough time on it to learn it well, ie immigration laws and regulations. OR atleast get things reviewed by a professional Lawyer or RCIC. You will save yourself a lot of trouble and headache.

I personally did both.

That being said, @scylla is perhaps the most knowledgable person on this discussion forum. So pay heed to her advice.

 

[GandiBaat]

Thanks for your input ,...we did do tons of coding and real-life tasks , it was jut on a fake app kind of thing : ( ......do you think refusing the invitation affect your changes in the future ?

IRCC and past court cases have been of opinion that unless you pay the fee, you have not submitted an application. So you should be fine. If you are still confused then remember this very simple rule: You can not change your past in immigration once you submit your application BUT you can add to it and explain things.

So if you are feeling vulnerable, then in your next application you can include a note that you submitted a past expression of interest but withdrew it upon invitation because you realized that you were not ready to apply back then.

I will say, that for any interaction with IRCC (WP etc) do get your forms etc reviewed by a professional, because there may be complications in it. Eg: You may want to check how you have given your work history in your past WP application and if that is matching with your next application and so on, may be your immigration history and so on. Do get an opinion of a RCIC or immigration lawyer.

Also this process, if you find overwhelming, do come here and talk. Tag me and others. The least we can do is to listen and help you out by discussing situations. If not anything it will help you with stress.

 

[scylla]

the problem is what is the NOC of what I was doing then , literally nothing else applies....

I don't think the NOC is your biggest problem. I think your pay is your biggest problem. Someone working full time at a coffee shop job makes more money than you did. You were paid well below minimum wage. You certainly were not paid in line with the salary of a junior developer. IMO trying to claim this as work experience is going to be extremely problematic. But again, talk to a lawyer.

 

[GandiBaat]

the problem is what is the NOC of what I was doing then , literally nothing else applies....

Have they given you a T4 for your work? If not, it might be hard to even consider that payment of 625 CDN as a salary.
Also for any NOC, if you are being paid way lower than market rate, you may need to explain why and thats where it gets very complicated.

 

[MirhimahSultan]

Guys I am sorry it was 625$ / week , so 2500$ / a month , which is still low

 

[MirhimahSultan]

My friend, as a person who did his own PR in the past, here is the first piece of advice for you : Immigration is like a court case and requires legal knowledge. So either spend enough time on it to learn it well, ie immigration laws and regulations. OR atleast get things reviewed by a professional Lawyer or RCIC. You will save yourself a lot of trouble and headache.

I personally did both.

That being said, @scylla is perhaps the most knowledgable person on this discussion forum. So pay heed to her advice.

Thank you , yes I am leaning more towards the safer option for sure

 

[MirhimahSultan]

IRCC and past court cases have been of opinion that unless you pay the fee, you have not submitted an application. So you should be fine. If you are still confused then remember this very simple rule: You can not change your past in immigration once you submit your application BUT you can add to it and explain things.

So if you are feeling vulnerable, then in your next application you can include a note that you submitted a past expression of interest but withdrew it upon invitation because you realized that you were not ready to apply back then.

I will say, that for any interaction with IRCC (WP etc) do get your forms etc reviewed by a professional, because there may be complications in it. Eg: You may want to check how you have given your work history in your past WP application and if that is matching with your next application and so on, may be your immigration history and so on. Do get an opinion of a RCIC or immigration lawyer.

Also this process, if you find overwhelming, do come here and talk. Tag me and others. The least we can do is to listen and help you out by discussing situations. If not anything it will help you with stress.

omg yeah, this opens another can of worms , so in my next application do you think I would have to omit it ,and add it in a LOE ; also I wishI could apply with a lawyer but reputable ones charge thousands of dollars for the app + the fees , which I unfortunately cannot afford now .And the last time I did a 30 min consultation , the lawyer seemed so non-chalant and just answering off of the top of her head and wanted to be done quickly , which ended up being everything but reassuring ....Any tips for my next application?

 

[MirhimahSultan]

Have they given you a T4 for your work? If not, it might be hard to even consider that payment of 625 CDN as a salary.
Also for any NOC, if you are being paid way lower than market rate, you may need to explain why and thats where it gets very complicated.

I am sorry it was 625$ / week , so 2500$ / a month , which is still low

 

[MirhimahSultan]

IRCC and past court cases have been of opinion that unless you pay the fee, you have not submitted an application. So you should be fine. If you are still confused then remember this very simple rule: You can not change your past in immigration once you submit your application BUT you can add to it and explain things.

So if you are feeling vulnerable, then in your next application you can include a note that you submitted a past expression of interest but withdrew it upon invitation because you realized that you were not ready to apply back then.

I will say, that for any interaction with IRCC (WP etc) do get your forms etc reviewed by a professional, because there may be complications in it. Eg: You may want to check how you have given your work history in your past WP application and if that is matching with your next application and so on, may be your immigration history and so on. Do get an opinion of a RCIC or immigration lawyer.

Also this process, if you find overwhelming, do come here and talk. Tag me and others. The least we can do is to listen and help you out by discussing situations. If not anything it will help you with stress.

Thank youuu ,it is very very appreciated , I will do that

 

[MirhimahSultan]

hello