Hi everybody!
I need your assistance and knowledge and I thank in advance all the people that could help me.
My dad immigrated in Québec and more precisely in Sherbrooke in 2003, since then I started visiting him 4 times a year. In 2010, after finding Canada truly interesting, I found a one year class in the University of Sherbrooke, I then applied for a study permit with my dad’s help and studied for one year in Sherbrooke’s University. There I met a Canadian girl and things became serious with her.
After my study permit I did a post-diploma work permit to extend my stay. So I worked a year in Sherbrooke’s region as a graphic designer, having no diploma to back that up though, having learned this on my own.
My girlfriend became pregnant late 2011, I had planned to go back to my studies and was accepted at university Laval in graphic design, sadly the delays were longer than expected for the CAQ and the student strikes displaced the class, etc. This being no longer an option and my kid being due for September 2012, I found that same month of September a work at Staples in Quebec City selling computers then repairing them. I then started a work permit application with my boss but none of us knew really well the process and I did what I had done for my previous applications. As in: do the CAQ and fill the employer auto declaration form and pay the associated fees (around 380$). Since my employer took his time doing it the process only started in March 2013 (my post diploma work permit ended in 27/12/2012)… My employer and me both thought I was in the renewal process, therefore I kept working until – one year later – I received an email from immigration Québec stating that my file was closed because immigration Canada never received my work papers. My boss and me who were awaiting the CAQ were quite disappointed I tell you. We then called Service Canada hoping there would be something we could do but alas nothing.
I just went back to France for 10 days (went the 21 May and am returning the 03 of June in Canada) to obtain a legal status in Quebec and to work on my papers. My boss is willing to rehire me as soon as I can and fill the necessary papers.
I looked at the available options and the only one I seem to see seem to be a temporary work permit for low-skilled workers… This one requires an AMT (or LMO) which is pretty expensive (275$) and gives me basically no chance since any Canadian or permanent resident could take this job. Once this AMT sent, I must send a copy of it, along with my CAQ (189$) and the auto declaration form (189$). If my AMT is accepted I would get two copies of my CAQ and the AMT letter. Then with this letter and my CAQ I can apply for a work permit with Immigration Canada.
Two problems that seem important to me:
1. The AMT (see : esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/foreign_workers/lower_skilled/index.shtml) requires apparently that, I quote: “Recruitment is the process of finding and selecting qualified employees. All employers are encouraged to conduct ongoing recruitment efforts, including advertising the job or contacting the underrepresented groups that face barriers to employment”. It seems less chocking in English than in French but in French it basically says that they have to search for a Canadian resident or citizen for the job first which gives me pretty much no chance. They also have to show that affordable housing is available and they have to pay for the transport (plane tickets). My employers love me and I get along super well with them but I doubt they will go through all that just to have me…
2. The delays: I read that the work permit application takes up to two month since I’m applying from France, but what about the CAQ, the AMT, etc. ? Furthermore if I do a recap of the fees, it adds up quite quickly: 155$ for the work permit, 275$ for the AMT, 2 x 189$ for the Quebec side, which gives an insignificant sum of 808$ (I’m being sarcastic here).
I am currently working on my permanent residency via my common-law, this one is almost complete and should be started as soon as I come back but I’d like to be able to work while the process (up to 8 months if I read well) is completed, my girlfriend is not earning tons of money and we have a 2 year old to feed. I am starting to feel a bit short on options, what could I do? Is there a way to work without an AMT?
My last resort would be to await the PR result which would force to do at least another trip to France (to maintain my status in Canada, the tickets aren't free either, sadly, my dad can always help and feels happy to do so but I'm starting to feel like a pain), and which would force me to work either illegally or in France which I would like to avoid as much as possible.
Thanks to all of you for your help and to the one that had the courage to read all that, if you have any idea, feel free to share them, I'm taking them!
PS: Apologies for the quality of my English. I am quite fluent orally but it’s another story when it comes to writing sadly.
I need your assistance and knowledge and I thank in advance all the people that could help me.
My dad immigrated in Québec and more precisely in Sherbrooke in 2003, since then I started visiting him 4 times a year. In 2010, after finding Canada truly interesting, I found a one year class in the University of Sherbrooke, I then applied for a study permit with my dad’s help and studied for one year in Sherbrooke’s University. There I met a Canadian girl and things became serious with her.
After my study permit I did a post-diploma work permit to extend my stay. So I worked a year in Sherbrooke’s region as a graphic designer, having no diploma to back that up though, having learned this on my own.
My girlfriend became pregnant late 2011, I had planned to go back to my studies and was accepted at university Laval in graphic design, sadly the delays were longer than expected for the CAQ and the student strikes displaced the class, etc. This being no longer an option and my kid being due for September 2012, I found that same month of September a work at Staples in Quebec City selling computers then repairing them. I then started a work permit application with my boss but none of us knew really well the process and I did what I had done for my previous applications. As in: do the CAQ and fill the employer auto declaration form and pay the associated fees (around 380$). Since my employer took his time doing it the process only started in March 2013 (my post diploma work permit ended in 27/12/2012)… My employer and me both thought I was in the renewal process, therefore I kept working until – one year later – I received an email from immigration Québec stating that my file was closed because immigration Canada never received my work papers. My boss and me who were awaiting the CAQ were quite disappointed I tell you. We then called Service Canada hoping there would be something we could do but alas nothing.
I just went back to France for 10 days (went the 21 May and am returning the 03 of June in Canada) to obtain a legal status in Quebec and to work on my papers. My boss is willing to rehire me as soon as I can and fill the necessary papers.
I looked at the available options and the only one I seem to see seem to be a temporary work permit for low-skilled workers… This one requires an AMT (or LMO) which is pretty expensive (275$) and gives me basically no chance since any Canadian or permanent resident could take this job. Once this AMT sent, I must send a copy of it, along with my CAQ (189$) and the auto declaration form (189$). If my AMT is accepted I would get two copies of my CAQ and the AMT letter. Then with this letter and my CAQ I can apply for a work permit with Immigration Canada.
Two problems that seem important to me:
1. The AMT (see : esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/foreign_workers/lower_skilled/index.shtml) requires apparently that, I quote: “Recruitment is the process of finding and selecting qualified employees. All employers are encouraged to conduct ongoing recruitment efforts, including advertising the job or contacting the underrepresented groups that face barriers to employment”. It seems less chocking in English than in French but in French it basically says that they have to search for a Canadian resident or citizen for the job first which gives me pretty much no chance. They also have to show that affordable housing is available and they have to pay for the transport (plane tickets). My employers love me and I get along super well with them but I doubt they will go through all that just to have me…
2. The delays: I read that the work permit application takes up to two month since I’m applying from France, but what about the CAQ, the AMT, etc. ? Furthermore if I do a recap of the fees, it adds up quite quickly: 155$ for the work permit, 275$ for the AMT, 2 x 189$ for the Quebec side, which gives an insignificant sum of 808$ (I’m being sarcastic here).
I am currently working on my permanent residency via my common-law, this one is almost complete and should be started as soon as I come back but I’d like to be able to work while the process (up to 8 months if I read well) is completed, my girlfriend is not earning tons of money and we have a 2 year old to feed. I am starting to feel a bit short on options, what could I do? Is there a way to work without an AMT?
My last resort would be to await the PR result which would force to do at least another trip to France (to maintain my status in Canada, the tickets aren't free either, sadly, my dad can always help and feels happy to do so but I'm starting to feel like a pain), and which would force me to work either illegally or in France which I would like to avoid as much as possible.
Thanks to all of you for your help and to the one that had the courage to read all that, if you have any idea, feel free to share them, I'm taking them!
PS: Apologies for the quality of my English. I am quite fluent orally but it’s another story when it comes to writing sadly.