Loss of hour due to COVID-19 Impact

[Romas]

Hi,
Im currently in sticky situation. I have Graduate from BCIT and got 1 year working visa hoping that by the end of it I could apply for PR with one year experience. However, due to COVID 19 I have lost 3 months on my post Grad. work permit and will come short on experience for PR.
What are my options to extend my stay in Canada and work? or What can I do to work towards my PR status?

 

[scylla]

Hi,
Im currently in sticky situation. I have Graduate from BCIT and got 1 year working visa hoping that by the end of it I could apply for PR with one year experience. However, due to COVID 19 I have lost 3 months on my post Grad. work permit and will come short on experience for PR.
What are my options to extend my stay in Canada and work? or What can I do to work towards my PR status?

If you want to remain in Canada and continue working, you would need to find an employer willing to give you a job offer and obtain an approved LMIA so that you can switch to a closed work permit. Note that you not only need to have a year of Canadian work experience to be selected under CEC but also need enough points (right now around 470+). If you have enough points without having a year of Canadian work experience, then submit an Express Entry profile now - no need to wait.

If you don't think the above is going to work, out, then you can look into the PNP programs to see if they might be an option.

 

[Romas]

Could I possible submit a request for Student Visa for studies that will happen later this year? It could potentially close the gap hours while working full time until I get processed and start studies?

 

[scylla]

Could I possible submit a request for Student Visa for studies that will happen later this year? It could potentially close the gap hours while working full time until I get processed and start studies?

That won't work.

You can certainly apply for a study permit and study full time again. However this won't allow you to continue working after your PGWP expires. You'll need to stop working once your PGWP expires and won't be able to start working agian until you begin your classes. Once you begin your classes, you will be able to work a maximum of 20 hours per week however you won't be able to count this work experience towards PR.

 

[Romas]

From what I understand Federal Skilled work experience dose count the hours under student visa, and while under implied status you can work. am I wrong?

 

[khalsa.pradeepsingh]

From what I understand Federal Skilled work experience dose count the hours under student visa, and while under implied status you can work. am I wrong?

Yea you are wrong at this point. Cec experience is only acceptable on any kind of work permit. Work done on co op work permt is not acceptable because officially you are still student.

And if some pgwp and applies for study permit. He may get it but aftrr that pgwp will not be issued because. Pgwp is issued only once in life to applicant

 

[Romas]

If I manage to secure LMIA from an employee in the same line of work, would my previouse (under open permit) hours would count towards PR?

 

[rs572]

Hii... I am in the same situation..I also lost almost 3.5 months sitting at home and my pgwp is going to expire after 2.5 months...i read that some people in ontario have raised petition for candidates like us and they are requesting government to give extra 6 months of pgwp extension but i didn't hear any response from government. LMIA process is very complicated and generally employers don't want to get involved for that. it is also costly for employer.

i am thinking to just apply for pgwp extension putting this reason of covid 19. i hope they will consider it. i will attach letter from employer to mention reason of sitting at home for 3.5 months. it is not our fault. there are many people in canada who are in same situation. government must consider it.

 

[Romas]

Hii... I am in the same situation..I also lost almost 3.5 months sitting at home and my pgwp is going to expire after 2.5 months...i read that some people in ontario have raised petition for candidates like us and they are requesting government to give extra 6 months of pgwp extension but i didn't hear any response from government. LMIA process is very complicated and generally employers don't want to get involved for that. it is also costly for employer.

i am thinking to just apply for pgwp extension putting this reason of covid 19. i hope they will consider it. i will attach letter from employer to mention reason of sitting at home for 3.5 months. it is not our fault. there are many people in canada who are in same situation. government must consider it.

What form will you use to do so? Cause all I have found is just permit extension that had to include the LMIA employee.

 

[rs572]

What form will you use to do so? Cause all I have found is just permit extension that had to include the LMIA employee.

i may use webform to justify reason..work permit extension form asks for LMIA or nomination letter which i will not have..it is so much frustrating situation..government is also not declaring any relaxation for candidates like us..

 

[rs572]

LMIA is very pathetic process...in such low economy, hardly any employer will be ready to provide LMIA..it is costly and lengthy process..if we go to consultant or lawyer, they charge high fees...

 

[canuck78]

LMIA is very pathetic process...in such low economy, hardly any employer will be ready to provide LMIA..it is costly and lengthy process..if we go to consultant or lawyer, they charge high fees...

They charge high fees because providing jobs for a fee is illegal. You risk your status in Canada if pay for a job.

 

[rs572]

They charge high fees because providing jobs for a fee is illegal. You risk your status in Canada if pay for a job.

You are right. That is why i am trying my best to do it by myself...if i get success, i will stay in Canada else i will leave country...i don't want to spend my savings on lawyers/consultants who even don't give any gurantee for results. for consultation lawyers charge $ 200- $ 250 for an hour or for 30-40 minutes...they are charging around $7000 - $8000 to handle whole case like me with no gurantee of positive outcome.

 

[Rishita]

Hi Did you apply for PGWP Extension citing covid as a reason? Did it work?

 

[scylla]

Hi Did you apply for PGWP Extension citing covid as a reason? Did it work?

We haven't seen anyone do that successfully here. Unfortunately IRCC hasn't changed any rules due to COVID-19.

IRCC will only extend a PGWP if you did not receive the full duration of your PGWP due to passport expiry.