Living in Ottawa, working in Gatineau...Grey Zone?

[FBack54]

I currently sit at ~440 or so points and am just what options to increase my score, other than getting a Master's and learning French. As the title suggests, I live in Ottawa, but work on the Quebec side (I don't speak French).

I was considering the PNP route, but I don't think my situation will allow it. From what I understand, Quebec has its own immigration process that requires french language. The Ontario PNP won't work because even though I live in Ontario, my employer is located in Quebec...all 10km away...am I right in thinking that there is no way the PNP route can be an option for me?

From what I have read so far, LMIAs are exceptionally hard to get. First off, is it even possible to get LMIAs after you have already started your job? Does the fact that there aren't very many qualified people for this position in Gatineau help me? I guess what I am asking is if LMIAs are done with consideration for the immediate geographic labour market as opposed to the Canadian labour market as a whole.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[scylla]

Yes - it's possible to get an LMIA even if you have already started your job.

Note that if you obtain an LMIA for a job located in the province of Quebec, this will NOT give you 600 job offer points under Express Entry. To get the 600 points, the job has to be located in a province other than Quebec. Where you are living is irrelevant.

 

[FBack54]

Thanks Scylla. That's not very encouraging, but it is what it is.

I'm guessing there is no work around for a provincial nomination either?

Do you have any suggestions as to what I could do other than just wait and get more points for Canadian experience?

 

[scylla]

If you're asking about Ontario PNP - you need a job in Ontario. Your current job is in the wrong province.

For the Quebec program, you would need to learn at least basic French.

 

[FBack54]

Ok, so Ontario PNP is a no go.

I could try and learn french before my PGWP expires. i could use that to up my points or move to quebec and apply through the CSQ program....learning enough French within a year seems like a very stiff challenge.

What if I got a second degree/certificate? Would I get any additional points? I would only get points if this second degree/certificate is a higher qualification than my bachelor's right? Meaning either a master's or a PhD...right?