Possibly out of options?

[kman14]

Hello all,

My PGWP expired last October and during the 3-year period of the PGWP, I worked a job that was in Skill Level C and only realized that with less than a year left on the PGWP (this error will forever haunt me). Unfortunately, my employer is a big co. and thus refused to get involved in anything immigration related.
Then in November, I've finally found an employer who wanted to do the LMO for me but when they found out it would take so much time (they were told by CIC around 8 weeks) for processing they continued their search for another candidate and applied the LMO anyway. Unfortunately, they did find another candidate.
I'm working with a lawyer and we've applied for an extension of my WP just before it expired but with no guarantees it would be approved. So far, I haven't received any updates in regards to that.
I've been here for 7 years. Graduated high school, went to a 2-year Business program in college (graduated in 2009) and have been working since 2007.
I even tried to find jobs in other provinces and even went there for interviews but it just didn't pan out. This was the time when my PGWP was valid and My intention was to go through the Nomination program.
I'm wondering, what else can I do to stay here permanently? My lawyer at this point seems more like a money sucking machine instead of being seriously interested in helping me.

 

[scylla]

On what basis does your lawyer think your work permit extension will be approved? I think he's wasting your time and money. If you want to keep working past the expiry of your PGWP, you need an approved LMO. If you don't have an approved LMO, you're definitely going to be refused.

What did you do when your PGWP expired in October? Did you covert your status to visitor? If not, you're out of status now and need to apply for restoration of status before you apply for anything else (you have to do this within 90 days of your status expiring).

Your lawyer sounds like a dud. I would ditch him.

As for what you can do to stay, if you still have status in Canada (as a visitor), then you need to find an employer who is willing to offer you a job AND obtain an approved LMO. If you are out of status by less than 90 days, then you need to apply for a restoration of status. If you are out of status by more than 90 days, it's time to leave Canada.

 

[scylla]

I just realized that you applied for the work permit extension before your PGWP expired. That means you're still in status. However your work permit is going to be refused since you have no LMO. At that point you'll have to apply for restoration of status if you want to remain in Canada.

 

[SenoritaBella]

1. Find out whether the nominee program in the province you reside accepts applicants with experience at skill level C. I know the one for Nova Scotia does.
2. continue applying for jobs and also look for those that are "LMO-exempt"

 

[kman14]

1. Find out whether the nominee program in the province you reside accepts applicants with experience at skill level C. I know the one for Nova Scotia does.
2. continue applying for jobs and also look for those that are "LMO-exempt"

I'm In Ontario. I was looking into Nova Scotia's nomination program but getting a response for any resumes submitted is a hit or miss but mostly a miss.

 

[kman14]

I just realized that you applied for the work permit extension before your PGWP expired. That means you're still in status. However your work permit is going to be refused since you have no LMO. At that point you'll have to apply for restoration of status if you want to remain in Canada.

I guess it really doesn't make sense for me to stay with no income. I could always go back to school but then again, I heard you'd have to get a minimum a Master's Degree in order to secure the PR without a job (some pilot program that's going on now).
But then again, Master's Degree for international student = $80-100k debt. Not going to happen here.

 

[kman14]

I have been looking for a jobs in the technical field (that's my background as well) -- meaning, entry-level computer technician..etc but most of them are contract jobs, so therefore not eligible for LMO. Tried job agencies; no luck at all.
If only there was an easy way of looking up employers who would be interested in doing LMOs.

 

[kman14]

I just realized that you applied for the work permit extension before your PGWP expired. That means you're still in status. However your work permit is going to be refused since you have no LMO. At that point you'll have to apply for restoration of status if you want to remain in Canada.

Would it possible for apply that myself or do I go through my lawyer for that?

 

[kman14]

Wow, very brutal of CIC.
Got an email last night telling me your resident status expires.... the same day.
Thanks for the notice, gee.

Now standard procedure... 90 days to restore my status or get the hell out of here.
Employers in Ontario, my goodness, once they hear "Yes, I need an LMO.." they're like "What's that?".
They find out what it is and then "uh yeah, i'll pass."

I guess moving to SK or AB is something I have to consider now if I want to stay?

 

[scylla]

You'll still need an LMO if you go to SK or AB.

 

[kman14]

You'll still need an LMO if you go to SK or AB.

I know.

 

[scylla]

I know.

Oh - OK.

Yes - you can certainly move to another province and try your luck there. Nothing stopping you from doing that.

 

[SenoritaBella]

You may consider restoring status to "visitor" and if you get a LMO, apply for a work permit. See whether any of these are helpful:

http://www.welcomebc.ca/wbc/immigration/come/work/about/strategic_occupations/entry_level/who.page
http://www.nlpnp.ca/language.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2012/2012-04-11.asp
http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/how-to-immigrate/strategic-initiatives/
http://www.canadavisa.com/prince-edward-island-provincial-nominee-program.html#CriticalWorker
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.201043.html

Wow, very brutal of CIC.
Got an email last night telling me your resident status expires.... the same day.
Thanks for the notice, gee.

Now standard procedure... 90 days to restore my status or get the hell out of here.
Employers in Ontario, my goodness, once they hear "Yes, I need an LMO.." they're like "What's that?".
They find out what it is and then "uh yeah, i'll pass."

I guess moving to SK or AB is something I have to consider now if I want to stay?

 

[kman14]

You may consider restoring status to "visitor" and if you get a LMO, apply for a work permit. See whether any of these are helpful:

http://www.welcomebc.ca/wbc/immigration/come/work/about/strategic_occupations/entry_level/who.page
http://www.nlpnp.ca/language.html
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/backgrounders/2012/2012-04-11.asp
http://www.immigratemanitoba.com/how-to-immigrate/strategic-initiatives/
http://www.canadavisa.com/prince-edward-island-provincial-nominee-program.html#CriticalWorker
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/services/services_renderer.201043.html

When it comes to "Funds available for my stay" - what would they consider as enough?
The documents needed to support that states paystubs and employment letter amongst a few so I'll be scanning and sending that.

 

[SenoritaBella]

Had to say, but best to have enough money to live on for at least 3 - 6 months.

When it comes to "Funds available for my stay" - what would they consider as enough?
The documents needed to support that states paystubs and employment letter amongst a few so I'll be scanning and sending that.