US outland applicants' thread :)

[Amoss]

eCAS FINALLY changed! It now says in process since August 10, 2012!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

And now, I wait with abated breath! (Need to stop reading Anne of Green Gables before posting online..)

yay!!! That is such great news!!! I know that feel well and it is surely welcomed!

 

[Amoss]

I think I'm finally ready to cry... I'm one of only a handful of May applicants left, and half of June is done... not to mention a bunch of PPRs in May (New Dehli), and even one in June from today! I want this to be done and over with. I was recently cut back dramatically on my at home work and I'm unable to make up the lost funds since I can't legally work... and can't get a work permit because I don't have a bachelor's degree. I know I have a long ways to go after sponsorship approval... but dangit, I could at least have that :|

...sorry, I'm just depressed. There's nothing I can do.

It will come. It is a very stressful time though and I completely understand. I spent the waiting period in a place I have seen myself the unhappiest ever. It's not fun at all. BUT, it will come and that's all we can say for now. Is just be patient. I am sorry about your business too. I don't know your situation at all obviously, but maybe there is something else you can do. If you're in a city, maybe you can do some ESL tutoring?

I am just shooting in the dark... just wanted to put it out there.

 

[Kiri]

It will come. It is a very stressful time though and I completely understand. I spent the waiting period in a place I have seen myself the unhappiest ever. It's not fun at all. BUT, it will come and that's all we can say for now. Is just be patient. I am sorry about your business too. I don't know your situation at all obviously, but maybe there is something else you can do. If you're in a city, maybe you can do some ESL tutoring?

I am just shooting in the dark... just wanted to put it out there.

I live in Hamilton, Ontario while I wait on PR. What is ESL tutoring? I had thought there was nothing we could do in Canada to make money without a work permit.

 

[OhCanadiana]

I live in Hamilton, Ontario while I wait on PR.
...
I had thought there was nothing we could do in Canada to make money without a work permit.

There's a few activities that don't require work permits: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp.

Or, assuming you are American, you could get a job in a qualifying profession (per NAFTA) and get a work permit at the border - see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp#nafta.

 

[Kiri]

Or, assuming you are American, you could get a job in a qualifying profession (per NAFTA) and get a work permit at the border - see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp#nafta.

Yes, I'm American; however, I lack a bachelor degree/equivalent post-high school diploma to qualify for NAFTA even though I do have experience in one of the qualifying professions.

 

[proco]

It's not an issue at all. The US is not concerned about people sneaking into Canada and illegally importing Canadian cars into the US - because cars are cheaper in the US than they are in Canada. Thus, there is no US law prohibiting it.

Canada, on the other hand, is concerned about Canadians illegally importing cheaper cars that do not meet Canadian safety standards from the US. Thus, there is a Canadian law prohibiting it.

Well I took the day trip down there with no trouble. They did however have many more questions on both sides of the border than usual. I'm guessing because my wife was not with me. The US border guard even searched the vehicle, something that can happen in any circumstance I'm sure but this was a first for me. I appreciate this explanation computergeek, thanks!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Yes, I'm American; however, I lack a bachelor degree/equivalent post-high school diploma to qualify for NAFTA even though I do have experience in one of the qualifying professions.

I assume from your comment that you've checked the detailed list on page 178ish of www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp#nafta and you need the degree/diploma for that profession (and that license or experience won't count as a qualification).

 

[Kiri]

I assume from your comment that you've checked the detailed list on page 178ish of www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp#nafta and you need the degree/diploma for that profession (and that license or experience won't count as a qualification).

Yup, for Graphic Design. I'm an illustrator with graphic design experience.

 

[epilobium]

eCAS FINALLY changed! It now says in process since August 10, 2012!!!!! ;D ;D ;D

And now, I wait with abated breath! (Need to stop reading Anne of Green Gables before posting online..)

Oh, that is fabulous ;D

 

[epilobium]

I had the exact same question. I phoned the call centre, he told me if I can not provide the statement of business activities for the past 12 months to add a note why you can't provide it and add as much other evidence you have. I made up a letter and explained and added the statement from 2011 and added my summary of profit & loss for 2012. However, now I have second thoughts, maybe I should fill out the T2125 statement for the preceding 12 months...

I followed the advice that I read in this forum to submit the 2011 statement and then a 2012 statement for the year so far - using the CRA form. I also included a table showing how my self-employment income for the previous 12 months was calculated (using monthly averages from the statements according to the year). <big sigh> I wish stuff like that was more clear.

 

[epilobium]

Sorry to read about your situation Kiri. Financial worries don't help at all, do they?

 

[Kiri]

Sorry to read about your situation Kiri. Financial worries don't help at all, do they?

Nope, not at all. It's just some down time for marketing with my job so there's no books for me to paint for about 5 months. Can be a bummer. I'll be okay, but still wish I could find something to replace the income during said time.

 

[cgagnon]

Nope, not at all. It's just some down time for marketing with my job so there's no books for me to paint for about 5 months. Can be a bummer. I'll be okay, but still wish I could find something to replace the income during said time.

I'm sorry Kiri we had that same overpowering feeling in step 1.. This may sound weird but there is always babysitting/dogwalking/ housesitting.. I resort to those when i need extra money.. if you look at it 8-10$ an hr times 10hrs 80-100$ a week... What you charge is your decision... Dog walking 20$ housesitting 15-25$ a say and i charge between 10-15 for babysitting depending on kids etc..i know its something that was done when we were kids but it's still money!

 

[Amoss]

I agree with cgangnon. That's what I was thinking too, Kiri. I mean about the ESL tutoring. Just do some side work. I've done tutoring in the past by posting an ad online, or at the university. Hamilton is a decent size city with a decent sized foreign community.

 

[Tullysgirl]

There's a few activities that don't require work permits: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/apply-who-nopermit.asp.

Or, assuming you are American, you could get a job in a qualifying profession (per NAFTA) and get a work permit at the border - see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp#nafta.

Question- because my profession is massage therapy, it doesn't need a LMO, but now that I have my medical done, I can go to the border, with it in hand, and get a permit? Even if my Visitor Record shows I'm prohibited from working?