Proof of Funding for Post-doctoral fellow, required or not?

[Tanatos14]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of applying to PR through express entry, I'm trying to prepare as good as I can for everything that's gonna come next. I read that you need proof of funding if you get invited through the skilled immigrant class (pretty sure that would be the one in my case) but it also says you don't need that if you have a valid positive LMIA-based job offer and are currently working. I do indeed have a job offer and currently working as a full time post doc in a NOC class A job, problem is post docs DO NOT require LMIA to be hired so I don't have one...can I be exempted from showing proof of funding? anyone been through this?

Thanks in advance for your time,

 

[Mac-Kenzie]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of applying to PR through express entry, I'm trying to prepare as good as I can for everything that's gonna come next. I read that you need proof of funding if you get invited through the skilled immigrant class (pretty sure that would be the one in my case) but it also says you don't need that if you have a valid positive LMIA-based job offer and are currently working. I do indeed have a job offer and currently working as a full time post doc in a NOC class A job, problem is post docs DO NOT require LMIA to be hired so I don't have one...can I be exempted from showing proof of funding? anyone been through this?

Thanks in advance for your time,

Hello,

I'm wondering about the same thing! Anyone has an answer?

I'm also a postdoctoral fellow at a Canadian university, working fulltime, in my 2nd year. I'm currently in the process of putting all info together for the express entry pool.

I have another concern: My job did not require LMIA. As a result, do I not get the points (600) that are usually given to applicants who have a job offer from a Canadian employer?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Tanatos14]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of applying to PR through express entry, I'm trying to prepare as good as I can for everything that's gonna come next. I read that you need proof of funding if you get invited through the skilled immigrant class (pretty sure that would be the one in my case) but it also says you don't need that if you have a valid positive LMIA-based job offer and are currently working. I do indeed have a job offer and currently working as a full time post doc in a NOC class A job, problem is post docs DO NOT require LMIA to be hired so I don't have one...can I be exempted from showing proof of funding? anyone been through this?

Thanks in advance for your time,

Hello,

I'm wondering about the same thing! Anyone has an answer?

I'm also a postdoctoral fellow at a Canadian university, working fulltime, in my 2nd year. I'm currently in the process of putting all info together for the express entry pool.

I have another concern: My job did not require LMIA. As a result, do I not get the points (600) that are usually given to applicants who have a job offer from a Canadian employer?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi MacKenzie,

The sad lack of replies to my question was not very helpful so I had to look more in depth into the situation with my own means. Unfortunately Post-docs are one of the most penalized categories for immigration since we're in a limbo...we do not require LMIA but they haven't taken that into account when building the express entry system, which means that we DO NOT get any point for the job we're doing (since in the eyes of the system it's not a VALID job offer) AND we have to show proof of funds (funny thing is that if your profile is eligible they will also ask you to sign up on the JobBank website even if you're not looking for a job at all since you have one).
There are stories of people who didn't have 12.000$ but when the time to apply came they just sent with the application a bunch of documents showing they were working and they were getting paid (contracts, paystub etc etc)...some officials might be satisfied, some might be not (since they force you to write how much money you're bringing while you're building your express entry profile they might not like it that you lied by writing 12.000). My advice if you want the best chances of this application to go through at the first shot is to indeed have proof of funds, therefore 12.000$ in the bank. Hope that helps

 

[Mac-Kenzie]

Hi Tanatos,

Thanks for this detailed reply. Your answer clarifies a lot. It's too bad (and does not seem fair) that postdoc positions are not counted as 'real' work. Since I'm in Canada with my family (husband and two kids), I have to provide proof of 22.000$ of funding.

Did you get an invitation to apply for PR yet? Or, if not, do you know how big our chances are to get selected to apply for PR without LMIA?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Tanatos14]

Hi Tanatos,

Thanks for this detailed reply. Your answer clarifies a lot. It's too bad (and does not seem fair) that postdoc positions are not counted as 'real' work. Since I'm in Canada with my family (husband and two kids), I have to provide proof of 22.000$ of funding.

Did you get an invitation to apply for PR yet? Or, if not, do you know how big our chances are to get selected to apply for PR without LMIA?

Thanks again for your help!

Hi Mac-Kenzie,

No problems...I'm sure you know already but the government accepts a range of things as proof of funds including list of properties or investments...if that helps (didn't for me hehe).

I haven't actually submitted an express entry profile yet as I had to put together the 12.000 first, I just won a salary award so I will probably do it in the next week. The chances are fairly good, you don't get points for the LMIA it's true but with the last invitation round people with 461 points were invited and you can easily reach that with your work experience, English test and education. Given your 2 years of work experience in Canada (even if LMIA exempt post-doc still counts toward Canadian work experience since it was done under a valid work permit) you might be eligible for both Federal skilled worker class and Canadian Experience Class (first one is usually more likely). So yeah...proof of funds are a pain in the ass but I think solved that problem the chances to be invited are fairly good for us regardless of LMIA (a post doc in my lab got his invitation and he had a situation similar to yours).

 

[Mac-Kenzie]

Hi Tanatos,

Your information was very helpful! Providing proof of funding might be tricky...hopefully they accept paystubs and contract letters....my husband is working too (but on an open work permit/ without LMIA) so we do get enough money coming in every month; but to provide proof of 22.000$ is a lot. I just researched the CIC website and found out that the money can not even be borrowed (from parents etc...). I hope it all works out.

Best of luck with your application!

 

[vsmkrm298]

Hi Mackenzie, I am wondering if you figured out a way around providing/not providing proof of funds.

I am also a postdoc at Canadian University, will be completing 2 years soon, but still have another year. Still, I cannot use any job offer. I also do not have enough funds of 13.000$ to show the proof of funds, ultimately to get ITA under Federal Skills Workers program with somewhat high CRS score. So, is there a way around providing the proof of funds?

Thanks so much!