So I'm writing on behalf of my partner, from Belgium. He's fluently bilingual so I imagine that would help in the process. He had a 1 year open work permit (expired Dec.7th, 2011). He found a job in his field (in Gatineau, Quebec) in November and applied for LMO/WP extension on Dec. 1st.
He received a letter from CIC (Citizen and Immigration) saying they need the LMO within 2 months or his application will be denied.
His employer sent a fax asking for the LMO to be processed quickly due to the time constraints...to no avail. He called in to CIC and they made note of the LMO delays on his file and said they may put it to the side and wait a little longer. THEY DIDN'T.
Feb 8th received a letter saying Work Permit was denied on Feb 1st
Feb 9th employer received notification that the LMO was ACCEPTED and passed on to the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). The CAQ said it should take a week (probably more reading some forums!)
ARGH!!!!!!!! They couldn't wait another week!!!!!???? Now he is unable to work, unable to volunteer because it gives him experience, unable to get paid, and unable to leave the country…
NOW: We will wait for the CAQ to be processed, then apply for Restoration Status/WP extension. Some forums say it can take up to 4 months, but CIC said the average waiting time now is 24 days. So fingers crossed we'll have all this sorted in a month in a half! Honestly, I have NO idea how some people could last 4 months without any income!
He received a letter from CIC (Citizen and Immigration) saying they need the LMO within 2 months or his application will be denied.
His employer sent a fax asking for the LMO to be processed quickly due to the time constraints...to no avail. He called in to CIC and they made note of the LMO delays on his file and said they may put it to the side and wait a little longer. THEY DIDN'T.
Feb 8th received a letter saying Work Permit was denied on Feb 1st
Feb 9th employer received notification that the LMO was ACCEPTED and passed on to the Québec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ). The CAQ said it should take a week (probably more reading some forums!)
ARGH!!!!!!!! They couldn't wait another week!!!!!???? Now he is unable to work, unable to volunteer because it gives him experience, unable to get paid, and unable to leave the country…
NOW: We will wait for the CAQ to be processed, then apply for Restoration Status/WP extension. Some forums say it can take up to 4 months, but CIC said the average waiting time now is 24 days. So fingers crossed we'll have all this sorted in a month in a half! Honestly, I have NO idea how some people could last 4 months without any income!