Research Assistant ship/ Teaching Assistant ship work experience toward CEC

[Arash322]

Hi All

I noticed there is a lot of discussion on CEC application using RA/TA work experience.
I would like to add some points and ask a question.

During an information session, I was told by an Canada Immigration representative that research assistantship (RA) and teaching assistsntship (TA) positions would be counted toward the work experience required for CEC.

I then asked her, RA is not a salary and therefore non-taxable (as appears in T4A), would it still be counted? She replied Yes as long as there is a contract and your are able to provide a letter from your supervisor indicating your duties, hours per week, and amount of payment.


Given these info., I think I must be eligible since I a Masters graduate and a PhD student and I have equivalent of 1 year full-time work experience combining my RA and TA.

Has anyone in Ontario tried this before with RA and TA work experience combined

I know there has been graduate students in AB and BC who have used their RA/TA as work experience required for CEC and they are now landed immigrants.

I would like to add that the NOC code for RA/TA has recently changed from 4122 to 4012. Does it have anything to do with the fact that RA is now probably counted toward CEC?

Thanks
Arash

 

[asbereth]

Hi Arash322, there has been a lot of discussions regarding this in the PhD stream thread. Several posters have received PER (positive eligibility review) with just RA/TA experience (and most have their RA experience funded by non-taxable incomes that go under T4As rather than T4s). I'm assuming that, what they meant by 'paid work experience' would be the same, regardless if you're applying under CEC or FSW.

What that basically means is, at the very least the CIO considers RA/TA (NOC 4012) to be a legit work experience, and provided you can obtain a letter of reference detailing ALL that they require (number of hours [ the most challenging part], responsibilities, etc), then it should be fine. Apparently, there has been some evidence that the CIO does indeed assess applicants based on the total number of points, and would reject and return applications if they don't have enough points, so experience based ONLY on RA/TA (taxable/non-taxable doesn't matter) counts as far as the CIO is concerned.

I'm assuming that, since you're a PhD student in Canada, you too would qualify under the new PhD stream? If so, then this stream would be something that you might want to consider as well, especially if you have some solid work experience within the past 10 years (though applying through CEC would be best if you can be really sure you are eligible). Good luck

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/applicant-from-phd-program-after-5-nov-2011-connect-here-to-get-status-t87348.0.html

 

[jes_ON]

I would like to add that the NOC code for RA/TA has recently changed from 4122 to 4012. Does it have anything to do with the fact that RA is now probably counted toward CEC?

The RA/TA counts because it is classified as "skilled" (Skill Level A). Several applicants have been successful, it's not new. it's just a matter of being able to document your hours (you will need 3900 hours, or if your masters' program was at least 2 years and you earned the degree, you would need 1950 hours as an RA/TA in your PhD program).

Just so there is no confusion from asbereth's post, CEC does not have a point system like the FSW class, so don't worry about that.

 

[Arash322]

Thanks Asbereth and Jes_ON
for responding

I emailed the Detroit immigration office and They responded RA/TA can be counted as a legit work permit as long as I provide copies of contract, T4s and T4As, and reference letters from University and supervisors. Based on this I must be eligible for CEC (since i Have Masters in Canada) as well as for FSW. But I assume CEC must be faster process comparing to FSW under PhD stream.

 

[jes_ON]

It's good to have options Yes, in general, CEC applications are simpler to complete and processed faster than FSW applications. But if you have trouble getting the Letters etc. (doesn't sound like you will), then the PhD stream is another option...

 

[Arash322]

Jes_ON
Like you said
The letter is the trickiest part. My supervisors have promised to give me the reference letter.

The problem is hours of RA is not indicated by university and we have to include it in the letter to reach the 1950 required hours.
On the other hand, I have to satisfy the minimum wage issue so for example in my case I can't say I have worked more that 14hrs/week (I guess this detail can be crucial and matter of acception/rejection of application).
That's why I have just become eligible after almost two years from the start of my PhD

 

[asbereth]

Jes_ON
Like you said
The letter is the trickiest part. My supervisors have promised to give me the reference letter.

The problem is hours of RA is not indicated by university and we have to include it in the letter to reach the 1950 required hours.
On the other hand, I have to satisfy the minimum wage issue so for example in my case I can't say I have worked more that 14hrs/week (I guess this detail can be crucial and matter of acception/rejection of application).
That's why I have just become eligible after almost two years from the start of my PhD

Hi Arash322, are you sure you can't claim more than 14 hours a week before your salary goes below the minimum wage of 10.25 per hour? Remember that, you may not receive much after tuition is taken into account, but I believe your salary should be counted before taking tuition into account (but only for the 'teaching' and 'research' portions of your funding).

 

[jes_ON]

The problem is hours of RA is not indicated by university and we have to include it in the letter to reach the 1950 required hours.

Do you not have a contract for the RA portion?

 

[Konan1982]

dude , you can apply anytime as PNP , even if you ll get denial from CEC.. your PR is in your pocket ..

 

[Arash322]

Hi Arash322, are you sure you can't claim more than 14 hours a week before your salary goes below the minimum wage of 10.25 per hour? Remember that, you may not receive much after tuition is taken into account, but I believe your salary should be counted before taking tuition into account (but only for the 'teaching' and 'research' portions of your funding).

I'm sure the minimum wage would be an issue cause i emailed Detroit office and asked them for that.
I am counting my RA income before tuition deductions but it is not much

Do you not have a contract for the RA portion?

I can't say there is a contract really but my RA is guaranteed. Every semester my supervisor signs some internal papers for our RA funding.
Concerning the contract I am counting on the letter that my supervisor is writing for me which will indicate my income/yr, hrs/week, and duties
I have another letter from my department that also mentions I receive RA as well as details of my TA
Do you think that would suffice?

 

[jes_ON]

Concerning the contract I am counting on the letter that my supervisor is writing for me which will indicate my income/yr, hrs/week, and duties
I have another letter from my department that also mentions I receive RA as well as details of my TA
Do you think that would suffice?

That should be all you need from your employer, yes.

 

[ConfuseApplicant]

Is it okay if my salary is just 10.25$/hr as a research assistant (NOC 4012)

My colleague are saying 10.25 for a PhD student in Ontario is very hard to convince CIC staff

does anyone has any experience??

 

[jes_ON]

most universities post the rate that they pay graduate students on their websites. Most pay significantly above the provincial minimum wage. Most undergrads at my university make more than that...

 

[ConfuseApplicant]

most universities post the rate that they pay graduate students on their websites. Most pay significantly above the provincial minimum wage. Most undergrads at my university make more than that...

Thanks Jes_ON for the reply..

I'm bit confuse to apply in PhD stream or CEC. CIC is not giving 5 points for the two years of my PhD degree (still going on)... so now looking for CEC as an another option.

 

[jes_ON]

I'm bit confuse to apply in PhD stream or CEC. CIC is not giving 5 points for the two years of my PhD degree (still going on)... so now looking for CEC as an another option.

Look, if you really are working as an RA, don't let the salary stop you - it's just that the way you asked the question, it sounded "fishy" to me. But it's difficult for TAs/RAs to work the required minimum number of hours.

Not sure what you mean by the "5 points" - are you saying you do not have enough points to qualify in the Federal Skilled Workers PhD stream? Do you not have a Master's Degree?