Working with Work Permit in Quebec but got job offer in Ontario.

[sharathsatheesh]

Hello everyone,
I have been working in Quebec since 2018 on a closed work permit for a firm in Montreal. I dont have the B2 level in French for going through Quebec PNP. Recently, I got a job offer from an Ottawa based firm. I have signed the offer letter, but the LMIA application is taking longer than expected. I am still working for the Quebec firm and my work permit is valid till June 2022.
How can I proceed to apply for PR through the express entry program, can I do it if I move my residence to Ottawa?

Thanks in advance for all you inputs.

 

[canuck78]

Hello everyone,
I have been working in Quebec since 2018 on a closed work permit for a firm in Montreal. I dont have the B2 level in French for going through Quebec PNP. Recently, I got a job offer from an Ottawa based firm. I have signed the offer letter, but the LMIA application is taking longer than expected. I am still working for the Quebec firm and my work permit is valid till June 2022.
How can I proceed to apply for PR through the express entry program, can I do it if I move my residence to Ottawa?

Thanks in advance for all you inputs.

You can apply but will need to prove that you will be living outside of Quebec.

 

[sharathsatheesh]

You can apply but will need to prove that you will be living outside of Quebec.

Thanks for your input. My current lease expires soon. If I get an apartment in Ottawa and move there, will it be enough proof?

 

[canuck78]

Thanks for your input. My current lease expires soon. If I get an apartment in Ottawa and move there, will it be enough proof?

You can apply now but move to Ontario and find a job that doesn’t require you to work in Quebec. You can update your status

 

[sharathsatheesh]

Ok. I have signed an offer for a job in Ottawa. I will move to Ottawa soon. Since I am on closed work permit for the Quebec firm, I need to keep working for the Quebec company while I apply for PR. Will this be an issue?

 

[canuck78]

Ok. I have signed an offer for a job in Ottawa. I will move to Ottawa soon. Since I am on closed work permit for the Quebec firm, I need to keep working for the Quebec company while I apply for PR. Will this be an issue?

Yes it could be an issue which is why you should try and find a job in Ontario. Is you current job 100% remote or do you ever have to go into the office in Quebec? Does the employer have offices in Ontario that you can transfer to?

 

[sharathsatheesh]

But since I have another offer for job in Ottawa (Ontario), and if I take up a one year lease with an appartment in Ottawa, I have sufficient reason to show intention to move out of Quebec right?

 

[canuck78]

But since I have another offer for job in Ottawa (Ontario), and if I take up a one year lease with an appartment in Ottawa, I have sufficient reason to show intention to move out of Quebec right?

Only having a job offer and still working in Quebec may not be enough. What is stopping you from leaving Ontario and going back to your job in Quebec. While your FSWP is processing if you start working for the job in Ontario would be proof that you are not working in Quebec. If you have a job offer for 6-12 months without changing jobs then there are no guarantees that you will take the job in Ontario.

 

[sharathsatheesh]

Unfortunately my current job in Quebec cannot be 100% remote. And my Quebec employer doesn't have any offices in Ontario. However the other job offer I have from Ottawa is for a full time position also, and pays better. How can I better show my intention to move out of Quebec? If I leave my Quebec job while the PR application is processed, will I be still able to stay in Canada?

 

[canuck78]

Unfortunately my current job in Quebec cannot be 100% remote. And my Quebec employer doesn't have any offices in Ontario. However the other job offer I have from Ottawa is for a full time position also, and pays better. How can I better show my intention to move out of Quebec? If I leave my Quebec job while the PR application is processed, will I be still able to stay in Canada?

Yes you could switch to visitor status. Would first try to see if a job offer and move to Ontario will be enough. How will you have a job offer that is valid for 6+ months? Is this a highly specialized position where the employer can’t find anyone else in Canada and is willing to wait for a very long time to fill the position? If your FSWP gets denied (assume it will be but you never know) because you are still working in Quebec and must travel to Montreal when you can’t work remotely you will get a PFL. At that point I would provide proof that you quit your job and are no longer employed in Quebec and will start your Ontario job as soon as you secure your PR. Is the Ontario employer willing to apply for LMIA and you apply for a WP? If approved you could have already switched jobs during the FSWP process.

 

[sharathsatheesh]

Yes you could switch to visitor status. Would first try to see if a job offer and move to Ontario will be enough. How will you have a job offer that is valid for 6+ months? Is this a highly specialized position where the employer can’t find anyone else in Canada and is willing to wait for a very long time to fill the position? If your FSWP gets denied (assume it will be but you never know) because you are still working in Quebec and must travel to Montreal when you can’t work remotely you will get a PFL. At that point I would provide proof that you quit your job and are no longer employed in Quebec and will start your Ontario job as soon as you secure your PR. Is the Ontario employer willing to apply for LMIA and you apply for a WP? If approved you could have already switched jobs during the FSWP process.

Thanks again for answering, yes my Ontario employer is willing to apply for LMIA - but since the job has not been posted on job boards for three months yet, they need to wait before LMIA can be applied. So, me applying for PR maybe faster than the whole LMIA + work permit route. I would say the position is highly specialized - in the field of semiconductor manufacturing. If the new job offer lists the NOC code as well as roles and responsibilities, can this situation you mentioned be avoided?

 

[canuck78]

Thanks again for answering, yes my Ontario employer is willing to apply for LMIA - but since the job has not been posted on job boards for three months yet, they need to wait before LMIA can be applied. So, me applying for PR maybe faster than the whole LMIA + work permit route. I would say the position is highly specialized - in the field of semiconductor manufacturing. If the new job offer lists the NOC code as well as roles and responsibilities, can this situation you mentioned be avoided?

Then you could apply under GSS for faster WP.

 

[sharathsatheesh]

Then you could apply under GSS for faster WP.

You need to be applying from outside Canada to be eligible for GSS two weeks processing.

as seen here

 

[canuck78]

You need to be applying from outside Canada to be eligible for GSS two weeks processing.

as seen here

Oh wasn’t aware. As long as you’re willing to quit and leave your job your job right away if you get a PFL and you know that the job in Ontario will be kept open for you for what could be 6+ months that’s all you can do to maximize you chances of approval. If you do get PFL and quit your job in Quebec you should also update your file via webform after you start working at the new employer to shoe thwt you will exactly be working there. Lots of people do try to return to Quebec so IRCC is also preprogrammed to think people are playing the system.