Hello folks,
I have a co-op(internship) term starting in September 2012, which is a part of my Graduate program. I had applied for my co-op work permit in the last week of April and received it on 15th of May. I noticed that my work location was mentioned as "Vancouver", while it should have been "Unknown". I was worried that the work permit restricts me to work only in Vancouver, so I called up the CIC helpline and checked with them if it will be a problem if I secure a co-op term in any other canadian city. The call center assistant however clarified that it is not a problem and affirmed that I am entitled to work anywhere in canada for the duration mentioned on the work permit. Later in July, after enduring through a grueling period of searching for jobs and attending interviews, I secured an internship in a company at Ottawa. They looked in to my work permit and said that they cannot employ me as my work permit states that my work location is "Vancouver". I tried to explain to them that I spoke to the CIC helpline and got it confirmed that it is not an issue, but the employer rebutted by stating that it is a mistake that CIC has been repeating over and over again and trying to cover up through its call center agents. So I called CIC helpline again asking them to amend my work permit and send me another one. The Helpline agent however kept insisting that there is nothing wrong with my co-op work permit and that I am entitled to work anywhere in Canada, so I asked him if he or anyone who has the authority to give me an authorization letter specfying the clause that I am entitled to work anywhere in Canada, he backed off. He later agreed that it was a mistake on the immigration officer's side and took a request for sending me an amended work permit. It has almost been a month since I placed my request and inspite of being periodically calling them up and asking them to start working on my request, it has not been taken in to processing yet and I am running short of time as I have to submit my amended work permit as soon as possible to get my employer to officially send me orders for joining them in September. I graduate from this program in May 2013, but my biggest concern is that if I don't get to do my co-op term, then my graduation will be extended further.
Though this clearly is a mistake on their side, CIC has been too negligent on this issue. I wish to know if there is anyway I could get this process expedited or if I could contact an authority to lodge a formal complaint.
I have a co-op(internship) term starting in September 2012, which is a part of my Graduate program. I had applied for my co-op work permit in the last week of April and received it on 15th of May. I noticed that my work location was mentioned as "Vancouver", while it should have been "Unknown". I was worried that the work permit restricts me to work only in Vancouver, so I called up the CIC helpline and checked with them if it will be a problem if I secure a co-op term in any other canadian city. The call center assistant however clarified that it is not a problem and affirmed that I am entitled to work anywhere in canada for the duration mentioned on the work permit. Later in July, after enduring through a grueling period of searching for jobs and attending interviews, I secured an internship in a company at Ottawa. They looked in to my work permit and said that they cannot employ me as my work permit states that my work location is "Vancouver". I tried to explain to them that I spoke to the CIC helpline and got it confirmed that it is not an issue, but the employer rebutted by stating that it is a mistake that CIC has been repeating over and over again and trying to cover up through its call center agents. So I called CIC helpline again asking them to amend my work permit and send me another one. The Helpline agent however kept insisting that there is nothing wrong with my co-op work permit and that I am entitled to work anywhere in Canada, so I asked him if he or anyone who has the authority to give me an authorization letter specfying the clause that I am entitled to work anywhere in Canada, he backed off. He later agreed that it was a mistake on the immigration officer's side and took a request for sending me an amended work permit. It has almost been a month since I placed my request and inspite of being periodically calling them up and asking them to start working on my request, it has not been taken in to processing yet and I am running short of time as I have to submit my amended work permit as soon as possible to get my employer to officially send me orders for joining them in September. I graduate from this program in May 2013, but my biggest concern is that if I don't get to do my co-op term, then my graduation will be extended further.
Though this clearly is a mistake on their side, CIC has been too negligent on this issue. I wish to know if there is anyway I could get this process expedited or if I could contact an authority to lodge a formal complaint.