Hi All,
I have a bit of a sticky situation, and I am unsure of what to do. I am posting here since keeping my job is my priority at the moment.
to give you a little about my background, I am from Syria, I got my bachelor's degree from NS after 4 years of studying there, and now I am half way through my 2nd year of work in Canada (Toronto at the moment). About my problem: after graduation I got 2 years of post graduate work permit, instead of 3 (because my passport happened to expire 2 years after my graduation), and 5 months ago I have applied through the Syrian embassy for a new passport. I kept calling them week after week to inquire on my passport with no luck, until the embassy was closed by the Canadian government as a protest to the massacres committed by the government forces in Syria. Many other countries around the world have done the same thing.
So, All I got from My embassy was a piece of paper asking to call immigration in Damascus to inquire on my passport. Now, I have called CIC to inquire on what to do several times but it doesn't seem that they understand the situation. For example, they asked me if I can travel to Syria get my passport and come back, but I cant do that as I will either end up being tortured in Jail or dead, because I happen to be from the main city of the revolution (Homs). I understand it is hard for the people on the other end of the line to understand the severity of the situation and the type of existing government in Syria.
I have no relatives that are able to ask in Damascus as half of my relatives have either fled the country, missing, dead or missing, and I cannot put any more of them at risk by asking them to ask about my passport. As for embassies that are still open in some countries, they are only accepting bribes in order to renew passport (bribes up to 50k) which I cannot afford, and is not guaranteed anyway since the Syrian government is in a state of confusion.
I hope the above was sufficient enough to explain why I cannot get a new passport. Now, I have spoken to an Immigration counsel, and he told me that I should be able to extend my work permit up to the full length of my 3 years post graduate work permit (since this situation is not a Canadian law textbook situation), mean while I am applying for permeant residence. So My hope is to be able to stay here, keep my job until I get My PR. The counsel also told me to avoid applying for Refugee status, I am not sure why, and I dont know how it may effect me.
So, My Questions are:
1- Can I extend my work permit as the counsel have told me, without a valid passport (current passport expires in August 2012)? If yes, and there can be an exception for someone who studied, and contributed to the economy here, how can I apply for it?
2- I am eligible to apply for either Canadian experience class PR or Sponsorship (My wife is Canadian). In my current situation, which would be better to apply to, assuming that it will make a difference for me?
3- If you are unable to help me, I am trying to speak with an immigration officer face to face, since I understand that only they can make decisions on special cases such as this. so where can I speak to one?
If I am not asking the right questions above, what do I need to do? I am looking for advice of any kind, direction, or solution if possible. And I would appreciate all the help I can get.
Best Regards,
Mufeed
I have a bit of a sticky situation, and I am unsure of what to do. I am posting here since keeping my job is my priority at the moment.
to give you a little about my background, I am from Syria, I got my bachelor's degree from NS after 4 years of studying there, and now I am half way through my 2nd year of work in Canada (Toronto at the moment). About my problem: after graduation I got 2 years of post graduate work permit, instead of 3 (because my passport happened to expire 2 years after my graduation), and 5 months ago I have applied through the Syrian embassy for a new passport. I kept calling them week after week to inquire on my passport with no luck, until the embassy was closed by the Canadian government as a protest to the massacres committed by the government forces in Syria. Many other countries around the world have done the same thing.
So, All I got from My embassy was a piece of paper asking to call immigration in Damascus to inquire on my passport. Now, I have called CIC to inquire on what to do several times but it doesn't seem that they understand the situation. For example, they asked me if I can travel to Syria get my passport and come back, but I cant do that as I will either end up being tortured in Jail or dead, because I happen to be from the main city of the revolution (Homs). I understand it is hard for the people on the other end of the line to understand the severity of the situation and the type of existing government in Syria.
I have no relatives that are able to ask in Damascus as half of my relatives have either fled the country, missing, dead or missing, and I cannot put any more of them at risk by asking them to ask about my passport. As for embassies that are still open in some countries, they are only accepting bribes in order to renew passport (bribes up to 50k) which I cannot afford, and is not guaranteed anyway since the Syrian government is in a state of confusion.
I hope the above was sufficient enough to explain why I cannot get a new passport. Now, I have spoken to an Immigration counsel, and he told me that I should be able to extend my work permit up to the full length of my 3 years post graduate work permit (since this situation is not a Canadian law textbook situation), mean while I am applying for permeant residence. So My hope is to be able to stay here, keep my job until I get My PR. The counsel also told me to avoid applying for Refugee status, I am not sure why, and I dont know how it may effect me.
So, My Questions are:
1- Can I extend my work permit as the counsel have told me, without a valid passport (current passport expires in August 2012)? If yes, and there can be an exception for someone who studied, and contributed to the economy here, how can I apply for it?
2- I am eligible to apply for either Canadian experience class PR or Sponsorship (My wife is Canadian). In my current situation, which would be better to apply to, assuming that it will make a difference for me?
3- If you are unable to help me, I am trying to speak with an immigration officer face to face, since I understand that only they can make decisions on special cases such as this. so where can I speak to one?
If I am not asking the right questions above, what do I need to do? I am looking for advice of any kind, direction, or solution if possible. And I would appreciate all the help I can get.
Best Regards,
Mufeed
