Post-CSQ letter from immigration Canada?

[QCSunshine]

Hello! This is a question for people who might know about the Québec process:

I have applied for family sponsorship outland and am in Canada. I recently received the CSQ and was told that at this point I could begin French classes for immigrants. I have called the MICC (language division) three times about this and got two different answers about whether or not I could register now to take language classes. But from the last call I had, it seems that I need both the CSQ and some other letter from Immigration Canada that comes sometime after the CSQ and says I can be eligible for Canada services.

Does anyone know what this Post-CSQ Immigration Canada letter is, and how long it takes to come? Or if I can even take French classes at this point? I know if I lived abroad I could take them in my home country and be reimbursed (according to the letter that came with my CSQ), but I am having trouble trying to find a way to take them in Quebec. (And apparently today is a registration deadline for the next round of intensive classes.)

Anyone have any experience with this? Thank you in advance!

 

[QCSunshine]

Well, after 4 phone calls with the MICC and one with the CIC, it seems that if you apply outland and are currently in Québec, you are only eligible to take the government-offered French courses after you receive permanent residence. Or you can take the online courses.

If you applied outland and live in your home country, you can take online courses, or pay for courses in your home country, which will be reimbursed up to a certain amount ($2500?) once you arrive in Québec as a permanent resident. (And when I asked, I was told the reimbursement method does not work if you are currently in Québec.)

If you applied inland, you can start language classes after you have the CSQ and some letter that comes from the CIC after the CSQ.

Anyhow, I hope this is helpful to someone later who might have the same question...

 

[Teriskier]

Hi QCSunshine;

I actually have another question for you...

My partner and I recently applied for PR Inland (sent in Sept. opened on Nov 3rd) just wondering how long after you sent your app did you receive information to apply for your CSQ with MICC.

Additionally, if you are looking for places to take language courses and already have AIP I think you can take them at Concordia Universities Cont. Ed department (if you live in Montreal) they are only 360 for 8 weeks of instruction a few times per week. It is at least a start if you don't already speak some french. And if you do speak some french you are more than welcome to practice with me....j'ai deja fait 4 mois des etudes dans un institute de langue quand je suis arrive ici.

 

[QCSunshine]

Hi Teriskier,

Thanks for your post. I applied outland, so I don't know that much about the inland process, though last time I looked, it seemed most people who applied inland reached the first stage of approval (AIP) around 9 months after submitting the application. I think that is when inlanders can apply for the CSQ (and begin classes and apply for RAMQ, etc) and apply for an Open Work Permit (if that application was not already submitted with PR). Perhaps an inlander might read this and have more info? Or I am sure the inlander thread would be able to provide more information...

And thanks for your offer to practice French! Unfortunately I am not in the Montréal area. I majored in French back in university, but need to take courses for more conversational practice and to work on the Québecois accent and intonation. Luckily for you, after you reach first stage of approval and get CSQ, you will be able to benefit from the plethora of free classes offered in Montréal.

 

[Teriskier]

Very true, thanks for the reply.

I was browsing around the inlanders forums, although not many people are living in QC currently. Best of luck with the best of your process, hopefully you will know more soon.

I am sure your conversational skills will be great...luckily in QC they can understand the classic French accent (although not always the other way around).

 

[plumosa]

I'm not sure where in Québec you are but there are other places that aren't through the government that have very very cheap classes that you can take in the meantime while you are waiting for your PR. I took/am taking classes at Centre du Phénix in Québec City for only 45$

There are several options of how often/what time you go to school, 10/20 or 26 hours a week (what I'm doing) during the day or as low as 6 hours a week at night.

http://phenix.csdecou.qc.ca/fr/

I started taking classes there before I was a PR and I might even stay there even now that I'm signed up for classes through MICC. It will depend on how much money MICC will give me to go to school, because it might just be better for me to get a real job and still go for 20 hrs instead of 30 hours a week through MICC.

Hope that helps!

 

[QCSunshine]

Plumosa, This is information is perfect and I will check out the link! Thanks so much for bringing up other options open for people before permanent residence!

 

[missmini]

taking French courses in universities could be very expensive; i once took a course at Concordia continuing education and it was; i would recommend community centers; some r focused only on language courses; try this link maybe u could find some useful ones in the area where u r and give them a call; if they don't offer they would know best where 2 guide u:

http://www.fqccl.org/index.php?option=com_sobi2&Itemid=31&limitstart=10

also u were saying something about online courses; a good site for free online courses is www.livemocha.com but i don't think the French ones have the Quebec accent do u know if Quebec Immigration is offering online courses?

 

[Jurjen]

As far as I know MICC is not offering online courses.

I'm waiting for the sponsorship approval, but am allowed to work in the meanwhile. I'm afraid that by the time I'm actually allowed to start taking the free classes, I won't need them anymore. My French is coming along pretty well (starting to develop a Limoilou accent unfortunately ;-) and that after about one year.

My advice: the best (and free) courses are actually talking to everyone in French. Work in French, try to speak French at home (even though I know it can cause some irritations sometimes) and everywhere you go. Once you're starting to come along not too bad, you can start watching local movies, listening to local singers, go to the theater. On a personal basis I can really recommand the tv series Pur Laine, I'm sure your Qc partner can tell you more about this and will appreciate watching the dvd pack (30$ at Archambault) together with you.

 

[QCSunshine]

Here is the link for the online MICC classes:
http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/french-language/learning-online/index.html

I have no idea what the process is because haven't looked into these. I think using these subtracts from the allotted free hours from the government. The online courses could be quite helpful for those living in their home countries who are ready to get started or people who live in towns in Québec with few language class options.

I have actually found a class in my area at an immigrant community center that is inexpensive. Thanks to Teriskier's suggestion, I started googling "francisation" and my town name and came up with several options in my town. I also tried tried LiveMocha a little this past summer. It seemed like a good program, and I have recommended it to others several times since then. (Though, like missmini said, it does use French from France, so there are some phrases in it that just aren't said here in Québec....but overall a great resource, from what I can tell.)

And I agree with Jurjen that trying to speak French all the time is the ideal approach, but with my spouse, we began speaking in English and have had trouble switching to speaking in French when it is just the two of us. We are trying to talk more often in French though. I first began studying French twenty years ago and can communicate fine in French (even if I have to search for an alternate way to say something because I can't think of the word I actually want to use). When I do go out or go to the store or am with his family or friends, I try to stay in French the entire time. And it totally helps to be immersed in French conversation for a few hours. After a few hours of immersion, I am often able to talkatively ramble on like I do in English without having to think so much. It takes that kind of immersion to finally make that last jump to get the accent right, get a handle on understanding the "patois," etc. But since I am new here it is hard to get out and converse and immerse myself, because I can't work yet and have don't have tons of connections here. However, I have joined a monthly volunteer committee thing, and things are progressing (slowly). I just want to do what I can to help my language skills in this time while I cannot work.

PS. Jurjen, I will have to look into that TV series and maybe buy it? Thanks for the suggestion. We only get one channel on out TV now, but my husband says it is a good one. The other day we were watching some American movies in French, and I picked up some new words. Might have to start watch TV more! My husband learned English from TV as a teen, so maybe it is my turn to watch TV for the sake of my language skills.

 

[koumail130]

Well, after 4 phone calls with the MICC and one with the CIC, it seems that if you apply outland and are currently in Québec, you are only eligible to take the government-offered French courses after you receive permanent residence. Or you can take the online courses.

If you applied outland and live in your home country, you can take online courses, or pay for courses in your home country, which will be reimbursed up to a certain amount ($2500?) once you arrive in Québec as a permanent resident. (And when I asked, I was told the reimbursement method does not work if you are currently in Québec.)

If you applied inland, you can start language classes after you have the CSQ and some letter that comes from the CIC after the CSQ.

Anyhow, I hope this is helpful to someone later who might have the same question...

Dear QCSunshine
I have read that you are in Quebec and you applied outland, and I have some questions for my case if you can help me,

I want to apply for outland (spousal sponsorship) and I am now in Quebec, my Visa was expired because of my previous lawyer who didn't submit my file for inland!
Anyway, It is a long story!! I appreciate if you can help me with those questions,
-Do I have to include CSQ application with my outland file?
-For the medical examination, do I have to include the receipt paid in the clinic OR the (IMM 1017), because the doctor told me that the result will be mailed directly to Ottawa!
-Do I have to leave Canada to get my PR visa OR there is another way to get it while I am staying in Canada?
-Do I have to mention in my application for the CIC that I am staying in Canada even I am applying outland?

Thank you

 

[medellinguy]

Well, after 4 phone calls with the MICC and one with the CIC, it seems that if you apply outland and are currently in Québec, you are only eligible to take the government-offered French courses after you receive permanent residence. Or you can take the online courses.

If you applied outland and live in your home country, you can take online courses, or pay for courses in your home country, which will be reimbursed up to a certain amount ($2500?) once you arrive in Québec as a permanent resident. (And when I asked, I was told the reimbursement method does not work if you are currently in Québec.)

If you applied inland, you can start language classes after you have the CSQ and some letter that comes from the CIC after the CSQ.

Anyhow, I hope this is helpful to someone later who might have the same question...

I am from québec city and what I have read is that if you apply outland and receive the CSQ, you can go to Alliance française and have classes that will be reimbursed by the Quebec government once you land as a PR. It never mentions that you already need to be a PR before taking the classes, that would be kinda weird because why would someone with PR be outside canada to take french classes??

 

[Jurjen]

I will have to look into that TV series and maybe buy it? Thanks for the suggestion. We only get one channel on out TV now, but my husband says it is a good one. The other day we were watching some American movies in French, and I picked up some new words. Might have to start watch TV more! My husband learned English from TV as a teen, so maybe it is my turn to watch TV for the sake of my language skills.

That's how I also learned most of my English, so I should do the trick. Pur Laine is not broadcasted anymore, so the only option (ignoring the fact that you can find the torrent online) would be buying.

 

[QCSunshine]

koumail130:

Status- First, I would think you need to make sure you have valid status because this is very important, which might mean re-applying to reinstate status and extend as a visitor. And if you need a visa, there are probably other things to do too, but I don't know what that would be since I am from a visa-exempt country. This thread should have some information that will at least begin to point you in the right direction with the restoration of status:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/need-some-help-please-t59813.0.html

CSQ- First you will need to submit the main outland application to CIC (without the Québec CSQ application). After CIC approves the sponsorship, you will receive a letter saying that it was approved. Last time I looked, this part was taking about 39 days or so. When you receive this letter, you send a copy of it to MICC (the Quebec immigration office) with the application for sponsorship in Quebec and for the CSQ. The Quebec application, instructions, and forms are here:
http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/sponsors-sponsored/index.html
It is important to know that this application must be done in French. There are English guides to help you, if you don't speak French.

For the Medical report- The Outland application requires the IMM 1017 form. I had trouble tracking this down because I got the exam in Canada and they only wanted to give me the receipt. Check out this thread for more info:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t58662.0.html

Landing- I am not an expert in this because I haven't done it. If you have the proper visa/status required to enter the US, you could go to the border and re-enter Canada to land. However, I think it is also possible to land within Canada. This thread talks about it:
http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/-t59407.0.html

Mentioning you are in Canada with your address: Well, I used my parents' address in my home country as my permanent address in the application, but in the sections where they ask where I live now, I used my address here in Canada which is where I live with my spouse. We get the mail immigration sends here because we are using this address. It is fine to be in Canada and to tell them you are in Canada, even though you are applying outland-- assuming you have valid status to be in Canada. If you don't and can't get it by restoring status, maybe you should read around various threads about that or post a question in a new thread, because I am not sure what you would need to do in that case.

Good luck with your application!

 

[QCSunshine]

medellinguy:

You mean you have heard that one can go to the Alliance Française in Québec? I didn't know there were any Alliance Françaises here!

All I know about the free or reimbursed French classes is that when I told them I applied outland under family sponsorship and asked about taking courses here in Québec during the time after I received the CSQ but before I got PR, I was told I did not qualify for the free ones and that if I paid to take classes myself, I did not qualify to ask for reimbursement. I agree it doesn't make sense to make outlanders wait for PR, but that is what the last person I spoke with said. Of course, with the first three calls, I got two different answers, so who knows...? The first call said that I qualified for free classes (because it was spousal sponsorship), but I got off the phone because I didn't know which course I wanted to sign up for at that moment. When I decided and called back, I spoke with another person who said I needed the CSQ and some other letter from the CIC that comes after the CSQ. When I explained that the previous person had just told me I qualified for the free classes, I got put on hold then disconnected. The third person I spoke with said the same and that I should call CIC to find out about that letter. So I called the CIC to see what that letter was and the CIC says that for outland there is no letter that comes after the CSQ until you get permanent residence (unless, of course, something comes up with one's application and they need more information or an interview or something.) So, on the fourth call to the MICC, the person seemed to be sure they had the right answer and that all the previous three people had misinformed me. I really have no idea anymore, but have decided I will just take classed on my own and pay for it, because there are inexpensive courses offered at an immigrant center in my town and this seems to be easiest.