Express Entry Minimum Criteria Met But Worried

[scylla]

But again, even with the extra 50 points - you are still way too low to be selected.

I would switch and make your wife the primary and see how many points you have then.

 

[bobsyouruncle]

But again, even with the extra 50 points - you are still way too low to be selected.

I would switch and make your wife the primary and see how many points you have then.

Surely a Bachelor's recognized in Canada would be more than 50 points? No? That's why I'll contact the IQAS assessment guys to see if I can get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

If that isn't possible, then we'll go through my wife.

 

[vensak]

So it requires an LMIA (even though it was an LMO exempt position and I'm literally the only person, according to how the organization selects candidates, that's qualified for the position in the entire country).

This is frustrating.

I'm going to call the ECA guys in Edmonton on Monday and see if the USA equivalency will have any bearing in being an equivalent Bachelor's in Canada. If not, then we're going to have to do it through my wife I guess.

As you are in Alberta, you can still try their provincial program. They have employer driven stream, where you might qualify. Check more about Alberta PNP (one of the main threads about all provincial programs). All their programs will lead to the paper based application later.
I would say, that is your best shot. And also try to get all possible post secondary education assessed.
Your NOC is an A type, so that shall be ok for Alberta.
Good luck there.

 

[bobsyouruncle]

As you are in Alberta, you can still try their provincial program. They have employer driven stream, where you might qualify. Check more about Alberta PNP (one of the main threads about all provincial programs). All their programs will lead to the paper based application later.
I would say, that is your best shot. And also try to get all possible post secondary education assessed.
Your NOC is an A type, so that shall be ok for Alberta.
Good luck there.

Thanks.

Apparently clergy are not eligible to apply for the PNP in Alberta

 

[bestofluck]

So I've been here for two years, working in a work permit exempt position R186(l).

About a year ago I applied for Express Entry and was accepted in that I met the minimum criteria.

However, my overall score is only 296 at present.

We were going to apply for an LMIA (even though an LMO wasn't necessary for my position), which would have hopefully given 600 points and got me through. But now the rules have changed and LMIAs don't give 600 points.

My NOC is 4154, so I don't think qualify for the points now awarded for certain non-work permit positions.

So I'm a bit confused.

I have a year left on my visa before I have to reapply, and I'd like to be a permanent resident ASAP, especially now that we're thinking of buying a house, which even with 20% downpayment you can't get a mortgage.

Can anyone advise? Do I sit and wait in the hope of an EE invitation? Or can I do something else?

The best way is find out a job in these four province and try for AIPP program which is going to start in March

New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia &
Prince Edward Island

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/ircc-atlantic-immigration-pilot-programme-aipp-lets-network-here-t473004.0.html

 

[vensak]

Thanks.

Apparently clergy are not eligible to apply for the PNP in Alberta

I see. In that case, you need to get assessed both of your diplomas to get more points. Alternatively your wife needs to have valid job offer and LMIA (unless lmia extempt) in Alberta in order to qualify in their PNP program. Another option is for you to get job offer and LMIA in Alberta within different profession (for example university teacher - then you can still teach teology).
Looking at your low score, I am also guessing, that you might be running against your age now.

 

[bobsyouruncle]

I see. In that case, you need to get assessed both of your diplomas to get more points. Alternatively your wife needs to have valid job offer and LMIA (unless lmia extempt) in Alberta in order to qualify in their PNP program. Another option is for you to get job offer and LMIA in Alberta within different profession (for example university teacher - then you can still teach teology).
Looking at your low score, I am also guessing, that you might be running against your age now.

I received a reply from ICAS telling me,

Unfortunately, if the study was completed at an institution which did not have Royal Charter to award degrees, we would not be able to provide a meaningful assessment. A certificate of equivalency issued by another institution would not be sufficient.

So that's me out.

How can I get a job offer if I'm in Canada with a R186(l)? Can I apply for a work permit? I don't have much time for another decent job, I'm already working full-time and leaving my current employment is not an option.

As for my wife... if she gets an ECA for her degree, can she apply for PNP as self-employed? How much does a self-employed person need to make, or does that matter? She has a work permit, but not a job offer, and she's probably not going to have a job offer because she stays at home with our children.

 

[vensak]

I received a reply from ICAS telling me,

Unfortunately, if the study was completed at an institution which did not have Royal Charter to award degrees, we would not be able to provide a meaningful assessment. A certificate of equivalency issued by another institution would not be sufficient.

So that's me out.

How can I get a job offer if I'm in Canada with a R186(l)? Can I apply for a work permit? I don't have much time for another decent job, I'm already working full-time and leaving my current employment is not an option.

As for my wife... if she gets an ECA for her degree, can she apply for PNP as self-employed? How much does a self-employed person need to make, or does that matter? She has a work permit, but not a job offer, and she's probably not going to have a job offer because she stays at home with our children.

You as main applicant currently do not have enough points to have any chance to get ITA in EE. With your current job you cannot apply for PNP.
Your wife is self employed (and unless she is a farmer), that is not option for her either (she would not fullfill requirements of Alberta employer). Technicaly she does not need to have valid work experience now and she can even use her self employment to get CRS points (just be ready, that to prove that is much much harder). But practicaly, she would need to be still somewhere close to 30 years old with Master university degree (or 2 university degrees) and with perfect English or French to stand a chance in EE (at least with current cut off).
With that said you need to think of some strategy, that might involve changing your job, getting job offer to your wife or going to study again or even move to the different province.

That is your reality check. You can stay just the way you are but with little to no hope to get your PR and with risk to be asked to leave the country in the future.

And sure you can buy a house there. Just count that you will meet the restrictions put on non residents (when it comes to get the mortgage). Also buying house there will give you no advantage when it comes to get permanent residency.

 

[bobsyouruncle]

You as main applicant currently do not have enough points to have any chance to get ITA in EE. With your current job you cannot apply for PNP.
Your wife is self employed (and unless she is a farmer), that is not option for her either (she would not fullfill requirements of Alberta employer). Technicaly she does not need to have valid work experience now and she can even use her self employment to get CRS points (just be ready, that to prove that is much much harder). But practicaly, she would need to be still somewhere close to 30 years old with Master university degree (or 2 university degrees) and with perfect English or French to stand a chance in EE (at least with current cut off).
With that said you need to think of some strategy, that might involve changing your job, getting job offer to your wife or going to study again or even move to the different province.

That is your reality check. You can stay just the way you are but with little to no hope to get your PR and with risk to be asked to leave the country in the future.

And sure you can buy a house there. Just count that you will meet the restrictions put on non residents (when it comes to get the mortgage). Also buying house there will give you no advantage when it comes to get permanent residency.

Another job for me is out of the question, unless it can be done alongside what I'm doing (which isn't legal on my current visa). I'll move back to the UK before I do that.

So really the only hope is a job offer for my wife.

For a PNP, would it be acceptable if she had a work from home (remote) job that might be based in another province, or does it have to be in Alberta? She has work experience editing and writing as a nutrition editor for large websites, but such jobs could be based in other provinces.

Finally, if we just keep renewing my R186(l), at what point does that not become feasible? Is there a slower process where when you've been in the country working for say 4-5 years, they invite you to apply for PR?

By the way, we're both in our mid-thirties.

 

[vensak]

Another job for me is out of the question, unless it can be done alongside what I'm doing (which isn't legal on my current visa). I'll move back to the UK before I do that.

So really the only hope is a job offer for my wife.

For a PNP, would it be acceptable if she had a work from home (remote) job that might be based in another province, or does it have to be in Alberta? She has work experience editing and writing as a nutrition editor for large websites, but such jobs could be based in other provinces.

Finally, if we just keep renewing my R186(l), at what point does that not become feasible? Is there a slower process where when you've been in the country working for say 4-5 years, they invite you to apply for PR?

By the way, we're both in our mid-thirties.

The reason of PNP for province:
1. they want her and her family to reside in the province (intetion to settle down) - that is to pay taxes in that province.
2. they want an employer from the province - that is to support companies in the province and again get more taxes from more of them.

With that said - yes, they do not care if her office will be the living room or on the other side of the city.
But no she cannot have employer from a different province. In that case she would need to apply for PNP in that other province (if she could - different provinces have different PNP programms) and also that will also mean that they want her whole family to move in that province.

Renewing temporary visa is ok, but only until the moment where there will be any change in the law or change of mind in your current employer and you will end up without job and work permit.
And also as you will grow older, your temporary status will give you much less rights and eventually you will have to leave (you cannot retire in Canada just because you worked there for years).
Just working in Canada for years will not give you invitation (there are people there who studied and worked for more than 10 years in Canada and yet they still struggle to get PR). In order to get that you need to follow one of the streams.

 

[kryt0n]

Indeed. Right now you're lacking any skilled work (in Canada's eyes). If you want to stay in Canada long term you may need to move out of province entirely or move back to the uk and complete a year of skilled work experience to try and apply back. Right now though I really recommend you go find a lawyer. Someone to sit you through all your options and you can discuss it face to face.

Unfortunately right now you have no real way of staying there long term. Again, do not buy a house. You could easily be out of status and be forced to leave Canada at any time.

 

[bobsyouruncle]

Thanks for the help.

It all just seems so silly. I have permanent full-time employment in a job classified as 'A' and my wife has a Bachelor's in a classification of 'A'. We both have experience, are reasonably young, are born citizens of the UK, and yet the system works against us when we're ideal middle-class candidates.

Why did they change the LMIA points!!! Grrrrr....

So, basically I think the only option is my wife to get a job from a company in Alberta.

I won't be buying a house, that's for sure.

You folks have been immensely helpful. Thank you!

 

[kryt0n]

Be careful how you phrase yourself here. You are exactly as you say, middle-class. There are Surgeons, Drs, IT specialists etc from all over the world here. Your wife having a bachelor's is absolutely nothing special and almost everyone else here has an "A" job. Incidentally, B jobs are equal to A jobs in terms of skill. You are either skilled or not. Plus being British means nothing outside of the UK. Trust me, I'm a Brit too.

You're also considered rather old (mid-30s) for immigration with the majority of those here under 30. Canada are aiming for under 30s primarily and accordingly they get the most points in EE.

You are in no position of power to be annoyed that this isn't being handed to you on a plate.

However best of luck for your future and however you decide to pursue PR in Canada.

 

[bobsyouruncle]

Be careful how you phrase yourself here. You are exactly as you say, middle-class. There are Surgeons, Drs, IT specialists etc from all over the world here. Your wife having a bachelor's is absolutely nothing special and almost everyone else here has an "A" job. Incidentally, B jobs are equal to A jobs in terms of skill. You are either skilled or not. Plus being British means nothing outside of the UK. Trust me, I'm a Brit too. You are in no position of power to be annoyed that this isn't being handed to you on a plate.

However best of luck for your future and however you decide to pursue PR in Canada.

I didn't mean it to come across that we're superior to others, nor that it should be handed to us. But the fact is if the 600 points for an LMIA hadn't changed, I wouldn't be in any predicament. November's regulation change has put us in a right fix.

But again, I appreciate all the help received here.

 

[kryt0n]

I didn't mean it to come across that we're superior to others, nor that it should be handed to us. But the fact is if the 600 points for an LMIA hadn't changed, I wouldn't be in any predicament. November's regulation change has put us in a right fix.

But again, I appreciate all the help received here.

The change occurred because lots of unskilled people were using the 600 points as an instant PR route. Cic recognised this and changed it so that people would still have to be somewhat skilled and have a job offer to get PR.

Cic do tend to move the goal posts a lot and you have to be one step ahead with news. I lived in canada for 2 years but had to leave when my lmia was refused because I was over qualified. Since Jan 2015 I've been waiting for an ita which I finally received Jan 2017. My boyfriend and I both have bachelor's, years of foreign work experience and Canadian work experience. We are still at the bottom rung of the skilled ladder.

Right now you need to act fast because you will be losing 10 points every year you get older putting you further behind. Please go and consult a lawyer who fully understands the express entry route and changes.