Please help !! - Much would be appreciated

[tiffany123]

Hi all, if any of you can take the time to read my story and give me some feedback, ideas, it would be much appreciated

So I recently graduated on June 2014 from a Canadian university and a professors in my university hired me as a research assistant for his lab until May 2015. I got my Post-graduation work permit around July 2014 and have been working there up till now. There was no LMIA required or whatsoever. I was originally planing to apply under CEC category then I heard about Express Entry (EE) and Ontario PNP. So here are some questions I'm hopping someone can help me with

1)

a/I dont know if it is kinda late to get a Pre-screen if I plan to apply under OPNP instead of CEC ? also, which category would be better for me ? I feel like my odds are really low for OPNP since there are PhD students and such and they only accept 2500 applications/year instead of 8000 like CEC.

b/ Can my prof get a Pre-screen in my situation ? Since I read the form and I feel like it is strictly for only companies ?

2)

Regarding EE, I know I have asked this questions before in EE Topics, yet it is still quite unclear for my sitatuation. Someone said that you will be invited to apply for PR automatically if you have a job offer and valid LMIA. So the question here is, I am currently working in Canada but I dont really have LMIA ? Will I have to wait until my one year experience is done to make the EE online profile and wait to be invited ? Is there any possible way for me to get LMIA now ? or is it the same thing with pre-screen form again ???

3)

Also, can I apply under both CEC and OPNP ?

Thank you so much for reading this, any response, feedback, thoughts, answers are much appreciated

 

[MenicMonday]

Here's my understanding of the Express Entry:

You will be invited to apply based on your circumstances; having a valid job offer is one factor that can significantly increase your chances.

You will be asked to apply under one of the Economic Classes (CEC/FSW/...). It assumes then that you should be eligible under any of these categories before you even apply under Express Entry.

 

[tiffany123]

thanks for your reply. so even though my job right now does not have LMIA , I still have a higher chance then

 

[scylla]

thanks for your reply. so even though my job right now does not have LMIA , I still have a higher chance then

The requirement of having a valid job offer typically means you must have an approved LMIA as well to qualify to apply. Typically a job offer alone isn't enough.

 

[tiffany123]

so can I get it now or is it already too late for me to get ? :s

 

[jes_ON]

a/I dont know if it is kinda late to get a Pre-screen if I plan to apply under OPNP instead of CEC ? also, which category would be better for me ? I feel like my odds are really low for OPNP since there are PhD students and such and they only accept 2500 applications/year instead of 8000 like CEC.

Read the update on the Opportunities Ontario website:
http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNPNEW.html

Can't suggest a category without knowing what type of degree you earned.. BA, MA and PhD students are in separate categories.

b/ Can my prof get a Pre-screen in my situation ?

Yes, however, since you were hired under a PGWP and your employer did not have to demonstrate recruitment efforts, it would be considered lower priority.

Regarding EE, I know I have asked this questions before in EE Topics, yet it is still quite unclear for my sitatuation. Someone said that you will be invited to apply for PR automatically if you have a job offer and valid LMIA.
So the question here is, I am currently working in Canada but I dont really have LMIA ? Will I have to wait until my one year experience is done to make the EE online profile and wait to be invited ? Is there any possible way for me to get LMIA now ? or is it the same thing with pre-screen form again ???

We do not yet know the rules - we do know that the CEC program will continue to exist, and under the current CEC program rules, you do not need an LMIA to qualify. I would not worry about this.

Also, can I apply under both CEC and OPNP ?

Yes.

 

[tiffany123]

Hi jes_ON, thank you so much for your reply. I really appreciate that

a/

Can't suggest a category without knowing what type of degree you earned.. BA, MA and PhD students are in separate categories.

I just got my BSc

b/

Also, can I apply under both CEC and OPNP ?

Yes.

I read somewhere that once the EE launches,you can only choose 1 category, either CEC or OPNP or FSWP. Is this true? I am not entirely sure

Once again, I really appreciate your answer it is really helpful

 

[jes_ON]

I just got my BSc

Just realized that both the "foreign worker stream" and the "International Student with a Job Offer" stream of Opportunities Ontario require that the job offer be for a "permanent" job - Since your position ends in May 2015, it is not "permanent" and it does not qualify. So unless you get a new permanent job offer, you'll need to wait until you qualify under CEC.

b/
I read somewhere that once the EE launches,you can only choose 1 category, either CEC or OPNP or FSWP. Is this true? I am not entirely sure

I have not read that anywhere.

 

[tiffany123]

This is what I read from the OPNP website

In order to qualify for Opportunities Ontario, job offers must be permanent and full-time. Getting a first job after graduation is not an easy task and many students will not receive permanent full-time job offers right out of school. Given this reality for students, Opportunities Ontario will also consider one-year renewable contracts on a case-by-case basis.

So if I can prove that my contract is renewable, am I still eligible then ?.

Sorry for keep asking questions I really appreciate your help so far

 

[jes_ON]

This is what I read from the OPNP website


So if I can prove that my contract is renewable, am I still eligible then ?.

Well... maybe. Technically, term-limited contract work is not considered permanent employment, and is not eligible. But in some fields and industries, it's the norm (like university-based research work). I actually started to apply through Opportunities Ontario and was in the same boat - they said they might make an exception, it would depend on the employer's application (which has to be approved first). My employer's application WAS approved. (I decided not to apply though because there was progress on my CEC application, and OO costs some $$$$). So "it depends" - that was a couple of years ago, I wouldn't want to get your hopes up, you should give OO a call if you are interested in pursuing that.

 

[tiffany123]

I read somewhere that once the EE launches,you can only choose 1 category, either CEC or OPNP or FSWP. Is this true? I am not entirely sure

I have not read that anywhere.

So I have read this on the CIC website the other day and now I can find it again. Just want to share it with people planing to apply in 2015 like myself

Will skilled immigrants be considered under both the current immigration program rules and Express Entry in 2015?
No. Each application is assessed according to the eligibility requirements and caps in place at the time CIC receives it. In order to be considered for Express Entry, people will have to express interest separately (starting in January 2015) using a new electronic application management system. There will not be any application caps or occupation lists at the launch of Express Entry

Here is the link:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=869&t=6

What is your opinion on this ?

 

[tdot_guy]

Very helpful link , thanks for sharing
: If I applied under the previous Canadian Experience Class caps, will you still process my application, or should I re-apply under the new caps?
It depends on when we got your application:

•If it was before May 1, 2014, we will assess it against the eligibility requirements and caps in effect at that time.
•If it was on or after May 1, 2014, we will assess it against the latest eligibility requirements and new caps.
Once we assess your application, we will process it if:

•it is complete,
•you meet the eligibility requirements, and
•there is still room in the cap.
If we got your application before May 1, 2014 and sent it back to you because it was incomplete, or refused it because you were not found eligible, you should make sure that you meet the current eligibility requirements and occupational caps before re-applying.