Please help experience points EE

[seekingadvice6]

I have an FSW EE profile with 440 points. I'm an International Student in Alberta. I have a study permit, and a co-op permit to do a 2-month mandatory practicum. Both permits expire in November 2016. I completed all my classes, I only need to do the practicum. My study permit allows me to: “work 20 hours off-campus or full-time during regular breaks” if I’m still enrolled as a full time student.

I want to start working full time to make money during these 6 months left on my student permit. Also, I want to add more months of experience on that NOC to increase my Express Entry points (I worked in same NOC/company for a few months before I started my course and stopped working there to study full time).

A lawyer told me that I can work full time as long as I’m still enrolled as student, but that once I completed the practicum, I would not be enrolled, so I cannot work anymore. Is this correct? Or could Immigration say that this “practicum period” does not count as a break, and it’s illegal to work more than 20 hours per week?

Will the interrupted months still count for my Express Entry points? Or not? I read about a rule that the experience has to be continuos, so no are breaks allowed?

I want to do my practicum part time and complete it by November 2016. Then, once I graduate, I will submit my work permit, and keep working at my company on implied status, and then when I get my post graduate work permit, I will file for Alberta Provincial Nomination, and get EE.

Is this possible?

Thanks

 

[BA2LAMAZ]

From what I know, only your experience gained upon receiving your PGWP is counted towards your express entry application.

 

[rajibsam]

Canadian Experience will be counted from the day you submit pgwp and work on implied status. Practicum is not full time work experience.

Also please check with your college if you can work full time for 6 months when you are on study permit. If 2 months of practicum is required for graduation, then you are a graduate after 2 months of practicum. If you graduate then, you have to apply for pgwp within 90 days. You can work full time once you apply for pgwp.

 

[seekingadvice6]

Canadian Experience will be counted from the day you submit pgwp and work on implied status. Practicum is not full time work experience.

Also please check with your college if you can work full time for 6 months when you are on study permit. If 2 months of practicum is required for graduation, then you are a graduate after 2 months of practicum. If you graduate then, you have to apply for pgwp within 90 days. You can work full time once you apply for pgwp.

Thanks for your reply. What do you mean by "submit PGWP and work on implied status?" When I submit the PGWP, my status would still be student, and I would have graduated by then, therefore I cannot work. How can I be in an implied status that allows me to work?

 

[rajibsam]

Thanks for your reply. What do you mean by "submit PGWP and work on implied status?" When I submit the PGWP, my status would still be student, and I would have graduated by then, therefore I cannot work. How can I be in an implied status that allows me to work?

I meant submit application to get pgwp. You can work once you applied for pgwp. If you apply for work permit and decision is not yet met, your status is considered as implied. You can work in implied status. Please wait for response from expert members.

 

[Asivad Anac]

Canadian Experience will be counted from the day you submit pgwp and work on implied status. Practicum is not full time work experience.

Also please check with your college if you can work full time for 6 months when you are on study permit. If 2 months of practicum is required for graduation, then you are a graduate after 2 months of practicum. If you graduate then, you have to apply for pgwp within 90 days. You can work full time once you apply for pgwp.

That is incorrect. CWE starts counting from the day you get your WP. Any work done while awaiting PGWP won't qualify for CRS points under CWE.

 

[jes_ON]

I have an FSW EE profile with 440 points. I'm an International Student in Alberta. I have a study permit, and a co-op permit to do a 2-month mandatory practicum. Both permits expire in November 2016. I completed all my classes, I only need to do the practicum. My study permit allows me to: “work 20 hours off-campus or full-time during regular breaks” if I’m still enrolled as a full time student.

I want to start working full time to make money during these 6 months left on my student permit. Also, I want to add more months of experience on that NOC to increase my Express Entry points (I worked in same NOC/company for a few months before I started my course and stopped working there to study full time).

A lawyer told me that I can work full time as long as I’m still enrolled as student, but that once I completed the practicum, I would not be enrolled, so I cannot work anymore. Is this correct? Or could Immigration say that this “practicum period” does not count as a break, and it’s illegal to work more than 20 hours per week?

Will the interrupted months still count for my Express Entry points? Or not? I read about a rule that the experience has to be continuos, so no are breaks allowed?

I want to do my practicum part time and complete it by November 2016. Then, once I graduate, I will submit my work permit, and keep working at my company on implied status, and then when I get my post graduate work permit, I will file for Alberta Provincial Nomination, and get EE.

Is this possible?

1. No experience gained while a student in Canada will be counted as work experience. Work experience must be post-graduation to count. It counts post-graduation as long as you are authorized to work, it is not a requirement that the PGWP has to be in hand for the experience to be eligible.

2. If you are a full-time student, you are authorized to work full-time while you are on breaks OR while completing a practicum, co-op, or internship in your final semester (or as a program requirement).

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp

3. Once you graduate, you can continue to work full-time IF you have applied for a post-graduate work permit. You can apply as soon as you complete all program requirements and become eligible to graduate (you do not have to wait until you actually graduate), and no later than 3 months (90 days) after receiving notification. After you apply, you can continue to work on "implied status" until you receive a response to your application.

I'm surprised the lawyer did not tell you about this, unless for some reason you are not eligible for the PGWP.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp

4. Not sure why you think you have a "FSW EE" profile - you have not stated that you have foreign (non-Canadian) work experience or indicated how you meet the requirements of the FSW program?

 

[seekingadvice6]

1. No experience gained while a student in Canada will be counted as work experience. Work experience must be post-graduation to count. It counts post-graduation as long as you are authorized to work, it is not a requirement that the PGWP has to be in hand for the experience to be eligible.

2. If you are a full-time student, you are authorized to work full-time while you are on breaks OR while completing a practicum, co-op, or internship in your final semester (or as a program requirement).



3. Once you graduate, you can continue to work full-time IF you have applied for a post-graduate work permit. You can apply as soon as you complete all program requirements and become eligible to graduate (you do not have to wait until you actually graduate), and no later than 3 months (90 days) after receiving notification. After you apply, you can continue to work on "implied status" until you receive a response to your application.

I'm surprised the lawyer did not tell you about this, unless for some reason you are not eligible for the PGWP.



4. Not sure why you think you have a "FSW EE" profile - you have not stated that you have foreign (non-Canadian) work experience or indicated how you meet the requirements of the FSW program?

Yes, I have several years of international experience and a former degree, therefore my statement about my EE points.

Thanks a lot for your insight, about working while I get my PGWP. My concern is that I will only get 1 year work permit (because that was the duration of the certificate I got at a Polytechnic in AB). I'm afraid it wont be enough time for me to get a post graduate AINP nomination. I just called and they said it takes 3 months just to get the file number, and it can take 2 years to get the nomination.

I feel so desperate, I invested so much time and effort, and it seems that is futile. Is there a better way to get a PR?
Should I try to get another certificate, and then with the 2 certificates get a 3 year work permit?
Should I move to Quebec and get a job there? I speak a little of bit of French and supposedly immigration norms are easier there. I appreciate any help, I feel very hopeless.

Thanks.

 

[jes_ON]

Should I try to get another certificate, and then with the 2 certificates get a 3 year work permit?

That only works if the 2nd program is a 1-year Masters degree (not just any 'ceritifcate' program, it has to be a master's degree, like an MBA).

So I gather you are currently working on a certificate, and that when you complete it, it will not add significantly to your CRS score. Is that correct?

Your CRS score is respectable but you do need a few more points. Is your French good enough to take the French language exam for a few more points?

 

[seekingadvice6]

Yes, the certificate will not add points, because I already have a MSc with ECA.

My French is very basic, and if I study a lot, at most I would get 6 additional points, which is not enough.

The best option would be to get a free LMIA. Is it ok to get a free LMIA with job offer (conditional to my PR) from company X, and dont start to work there until I get a PR, and meanwhile I work a call centre job to survive with another company Z?

Thanks.

 

[jes_ON]

A "valid job offer" can be for a future position -

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/offer.asp