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Renewing Work Permit for Information Technology Worker

Beakster

Star Member
Dec 7, 2009
113
10
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-10-2010 CSQ Application
Nomination.....
12-02-2012 CSQ Granted
AOR Received.
14-05-2012
Med's Request
14-05-2012
Med's Done....
22-05-2012
Passport Req..
10/08/2013
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11/08/2013
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11/08/2013
Hi,

I came to work in Canada under the simplified entry process for information technology workers, details here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-tech.asp.

I have been working for almost 2 years here now and of course as I've been here for such a period of time I have built a life for myself and I desire to stay longer. I have a job and I have paid tens of thousands of dollars in tax since I've been here. I came from Scotland, like the web page says, to help this colony "fill critical shortages in Canada’s software industry".

I went to the border last week and asked to renew my work permit which expires next month and they told me that as the simplified entry process for Information Technology workers has now ended I needed an LMO and a CAQ in order to carry on working here in Montreal. It doesn't matter to them that I have a CSQ and a pending permanent residency application.

So I am now in the process of trying to get an LMO but it is difficult as the LMO is for companies hiring a new employee for temporary work, whereas I'm already hired (have been for 2 years) and I plan on staying in Canada.

My question really is: what process does the Canadian Government have in place to help the Information Technology specialists who came here to help them fill the critical shortages in their industry? Do they want me to return to my country, because it doesn't seem like they are doing anything to help me stay.

Thanks
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
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Toronto
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AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
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There is no longer a critical shortage in the industry and that's why this program has been canceled. Consequently your employer will need to obtain an approved LMO if you want to keep working. Unfortunately there's no way around this fact.

The Canadian government's first concern and obligation is to its citizens and permanent residents. That's why they cancel programs such as this when critical shortages disappear and force foreign workers to obtain LMOs. This allows citizens and PRs to be first in line for any openings.

Again, unfortunately there's no way around the LMO now. Note that LMOs aren't meant for just new temporary workers - they're for any foreign (non-citizen, non-PR) workers employed in Canada.
 

Beakster

Star Member
Dec 7, 2009
113
10
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-10-2010 CSQ Application
Nomination.....
12-02-2012 CSQ Granted
AOR Received.
14-05-2012
Med's Request
14-05-2012
Med's Done....
22-05-2012
Passport Req..
10/08/2013
VISA ISSUED...
11/08/2013
LANDED..........
11/08/2013
Thanks for the reply. I've submitted an LMO application but I need to make a backup plan in case it is rejected. I assume if the LMO is rejected and I can't get a new work permit I need to put all my belongings into storage, quit my job and return to the UK until my permanent residency application is approved? Then once that is approved I can return to Canada and find a new job?
 

scylla

VIP Member
Jun 8, 2010
95,929
22,170
Toronto
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
28-05-2010
AOR Received.
19-08-2010
File Transfer...
28-06-2010
Passport Req..
01-10-2010
VISA ISSUED...
05-10-2010
LANDED..........
05-10-2010
You could also change your status to visitor and stay.
 

Beakster

Star Member
Dec 7, 2009
113
10
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-10-2010 CSQ Application
Nomination.....
12-02-2012 CSQ Granted
AOR Received.
14-05-2012
Med's Request
14-05-2012
Med's Done....
22-05-2012
Passport Req..
10/08/2013
VISA ISSUED...
11/08/2013
LANDED..........
11/08/2013
Thanks for the reply. I must say I think it's very unfair; here I am an educated professional who has paid around $50,000 in income taxes here in Canada since I arrived, I've been selected by the province of Quebec to settle here, have a pending permanent residency application, have worked very hard for my company over the last 2 years putting in a lot of unpaid over time for them and they want to keep my in their employment... and now the Canadian government treats me the same as someone who is just coming to Canada looking for a job.

I'm so offended by the Canadian government's behaviour towards me that I want to return to the United Kingdom, where I would have better job prospects, better healthcare, and a higher standard of living than here in Quebec. The only thing keeping me here is that my girlfriend is halfway through a post graduate course at university here in Montreal. This means I can get an Open work permit for the duration of her course if I wish, which is what I will do if my LMO is rejected. The problem with a work permit granted through a student visa though is that then I will no longer be eligible for healthcare in Quebec despite the fact I will continue to pay for it through my taxes!
 

giluy

Star Member
Aug 2, 2011
63
2
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Ottawa
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Pre-Assessed..
AOR Received.
25-09-2012
Med's Request
01-12-2012
Med's Done....
05-12-2012
Interview........
In Process 08-02-2013
Passport Req..
20-02-2013
VISA ISSUED...
27-02-2013
LANDED..........
13-04-2013
Beakster said:
..... It doesn't matter to them that I have a CSQ and a pending permanent residency application.
Hi,

I am quite confusing here. Based on Quebec website - After Obtaining the CSQ

It is clearly mentioned that:

Individuals in the skilled worker class who hold a CSQ, who reside in Québec and whose application for permanent residence is currently being processed do not have to obtain a new CAQ before applying to prolong or renew their work permit. The employer is therefore exempt from the responsibility to provide a Labour Market Opinion (LMO).


You should be able to extend ur WP without LMO n CAQ. Pls correct me if I am wrong.

Anyone knows abt this, pls give me some replies.

Many thanks.
 

Beakster

Star Member
Dec 7, 2009
113
10
Category........
Visa Office......
Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
01-10-2010 CSQ Application
Nomination.....
12-02-2012 CSQ Granted
AOR Received.
14-05-2012
Med's Request
14-05-2012
Med's Done....
22-05-2012
Passport Req..
10/08/2013
VISA ISSUED...
11/08/2013
LANDED..........
11/08/2013
giluy said:
Hi,

I am quite confusing here. Based on Quebec website - After Obtaining the CSQ

It is clearly mentioned that:

Individuals in the skilled worker class who hold a CSQ, who reside in Québec and whose application for permanent residence is currently being processed do not have to obtain a new CAQ before applying to prolong or renew their work permit. The employer is therefore exempt from the responsibility to provide a Labour Market Opinion (LMO).


You should be able to extend ur WP without LMO n CAQ. Pls correct me if I am wrong.

Anyone knows abt this, pls give me some replies.

Many thanks.
giluy, thank you so much for you post. I only just noticed it. When I did I searched the text you quoted and found the page at: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/temporary-workers/stay-quebec/application-csq/workers-peq/after-csq.html

I went straight to the border to complain about the fact that I've had to pay about $400 for CAQ and LMO plus a lot more for health insurance when I should have been able to get a new work permit immediately according to the above URL.

They guy there sorted me out a new work permit, specific to my job there and then (I had to pay another $150). He told me that the details in that URL are a new program which only started 1st of June which is why when I went to the border last time they didn't get me a new work permit for my job.

Tomorrow I'm going to try and get a refund for my CAQ and LMO which are still being processed. The good thing is this is less that 45 days since my last work permit expired so I can get a new health card without a 3 month way, saving me a lot of money in health insurance. I doubt Immigration Quebec will refund the money for my LMO and CAQ though.