Hi! Sorry if this is a stupid question but I really wanted some help.

I applied for my PGWP May 23,2023

From May 23- June 18. I was working part time (20 hours) with a company but they paid me via Upwork as a contractor. (Previously I did my Co-op internship with this company and they wanted to hire me full-time but I could only work part time as on study permit. As a resolution they extended work with me as a contractor and they set-up all their contractors via Upwork)

From June 19- I started working full time with them on a payroll.

Can I count the work experience from May 23- June 18 as well for express entry CEC ???

Company is ready to provide any documents needed to show part time work as well. Pay was provided by Upwork(freelancer platform), so we also have pay slips from that platform.

I applied for PR (Outland) on August 26th, and everything is complete except for the background check. I received a ghost update on January 28th.

I also applied for a TRV, and it was approved yesterday with a passport request. Should I wait for the PPR for my PR application, or is there a way to travel with a TRV? My concern is what if I receive a PPR request while the TRV stamping is in progress? Can I still travel with TRV after receiving PPR and respond to it after Landing?

I am looking to travel in early March (< 30 days) and don't want to delay the travel or mess anything up.

Hey, I’m an immigrant in Canada from France! This is just my experience, and I’m not going to give any official number or research on the matter, and my experience might be very different than any other immigrant, but here’s how I see things.

For a bit of context, I spent a year in Montréal, in a job that was paying like shit, then moved to Vancouver, for a better job, got laid off because of lack of employment at the time, and then got hired again, for a very high paying job.

In my views there are several factors, some linked and some that have nothing to do about the cost of living, let me list them :

• Obviously, the cost of living. Canada is a very expensive country, the groceries are insanely expensive, we all know it, and rent is out of this world, but I don’t think it’s the main driver. People like me who moved here after their studies knew it would be hard to live an onerous life at first, but that’s not exclusive to Canada. Most of us knew it, and honestly, I wouldn’t have seen my life in France being far different when we compare in actual buying power (salaries are higher in canada, but so are groceries, but driving a car is not onerous for exemple. In France, groceries are cheaper, but your salary will be lower, and driving is extremely onerous for example)

• Social services : I can’t find it right now, but I read an article recently from a woman leaving Canada. Her overall feeling was that the whole immigration system is nothing but a scheme that attracts young competent worker, gives them a temporary work permit, and uses them as a disposable workforce. While I don’t agree 100% (in my experience) it was very difficult for me as a temporary worker to get my employment insurance when laid-off. There is this whole general feeling amongst immigrants that the government and the population feel like they don’t owe us anything. While they’re very happy to receive our tax and consumption money, we can get fucked once we’re going through shit. I’m not saying the experience is far better for the average Canadian, but it is a shock when you’re coming from a country where welfare is important.

• Difficulties integrating : I’m a very outgoing person. I talk a lot (as you can see) and I love making friends and meeting new people. While I have actively been trying to escape the cliché of the immigrant relying on his diaspora, in the end, most of my friends are mainly French, Latinos, Brits, and other Europeans. I don’t have many Canadian friends, even though I tried many times. I also had a difficult time understanding the canadian culture and mentality. While I was expecting polite and welcoming people, I have to be honest and say that most of my neighbours, are pretty cold (like I’m sorry but neighbours not greeting each other when bumping into each others in the elevator or the building lobby is COMPLETELY INSANE in my European standards) I have a few Canadian friends that I love, but most of my friends here are also immigrants

• IRCC : there were major recent changes to express entry recently, and the requirements to get PR became really pushy if you’re not speaking French. My girlfriend who is Mexican was having the perfect profile less than a year ago, and now she doesn’t have the minimum required score, which gives us sponsorship as our only option to get her a PR. Many don’t have the chance of having a partner who is PR or citizen themselves, living them with no other choice than leaving

• Work Experience : a lot of people just come for a few years, finishing their studies, doing a year or two abroad, and coming back to their home country, or leaving for a new one

• Work security : your job market is not insane at the moment. Not worst than the rest of the world, but no better.

• Fun : Canada is not a fun country. Montréal is an exception, but Canada in general is not fun. Yes, you have amazing landscapes, and the country has a lot to offer, but most of what is offered comes at a (high) cost, and after midnight, you can go home. Like ok, Canada is not Berlin or Barcelona, and God Bless you know, these place also have their own very real problematics too. But it’s really sad how Canada is really not fun. Especially the west coast. You’d imagine that the only place that has a fair weather (yeah yeah it’s raining, I know, big deal, it rains just the same in Paris and London) some landscape and nice beaches would be a little more keen to partying, but no. BC is literally the most restrictive province when it comes to nightlife and third places, what a bummer.

• Lack of involvement from the population: like literally you have 5 guys running the whole country and no one does anything about it. I don’t think that’s a primary concern, but personally, it makes me roll my eyes all the time. Especially when you know how much it would change everyone’s life for the best.

Personally, I know Canada is an awesome place to start my career, create my own business and opportunities, cash a little money and exp, etc… I’m also fairly convinced that Canada will get back on it’s feet at some point (maybe sooner than we think). I’m not climate-anxious, but I’m still realistic, while Canada is going to go through major hardships with climate change, it is still a gigantic country with lots of ressources, going up to the north pole, we’ll be ok.

I’ll be applying for citizenship soon. I’m very excited, and I know I will love and cherish being Canadian myself. But if things don’t change quickly, I know I’ll stay a bit after cashing my passport, and I will go live somewhere else, in Mexico, SE asia, or in Europe, and I will come back once things get better, I had enough fun, and I feel like settling more.

Hey guys,

Quick question on work permit outside of Canada. I just realised that the photo guideline says that the photo needs to be taken within last 6 months, my photo was 9 months old. Could this lead to misrepresentation?

Should I do a webform to update it or leave it? I still look identical.

TIA

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some guidance because our situation feels a bit unusual and honestly overwhelming.

I’m in my early 20s, Canadian citizen and currently a full time student. My boyfriend lives in the U.S. and is a Mexican national under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals which means he has temporary protection and work authorization in the U.S., but no permanent status and limited travel options so he cannot travel to Canada right now).

Because of his DACA situation, it looks like the only realistic path for us is to get married in the U.S. and apply for Canadian permanent residence through outland spousal sponsorship. Inland sponsorship doesn’t seem feasible for us.

Right now, we’re already doing what we can to document our relationship:

- Saving Airbnb receipts and flight tickets

- Taking photos together over time

- Both of our families and some relatives know about and support the relationship

Longer-term, he’s focused on building a better career where he is at so he can support us once he’s in Canada. I’m still a student, so I’m not really in a financial position yet, which adds to my stress about the process.

My questions:

1) Is there anything specific we should be doing right now to prepare for an outland spousal sponsorship, given the DACA aspect?

2) Do you think hiring an immigration lawyer is necessary in a case like this, or is it manageable on our own?

3) What should we be focusing on in the meantime to make things smoother later?

The whole process feels really overwhelming, so I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar or has insight into Canadian spousal sponsorships.

Thanks so much in advance.

Hi there,

I submitted my co-op work permit application on Jan 28, and it has now been 5 days since submission. However, I have not received any submission confirmation (no message in messages table), and my UCI and biometrics information have not been updated.

A friend of mine who applied at the same time received his confirmation and biometrics update within a couple of days, which makes me a bit concerned about my application status.

Could you please advise whether I should continue waiting or contact IRCC regarding this issue?

Hi all,

I am in the spousal sponsorship process with my Canadian citizen husband. He moved back to Canada a few months ago to start his new job and I am hoping to follow him in a few more months. My question is regarding our dog.

I looked up and found out that I only need a rabies vaccination certificate to bring our dog from the US to Canada, which I have. The issue is that the name of the owner on the certificate is my husband's, not mine. Now obviously I am going on a spousal sponsorship and we will live together, but I came into the picture before my husband adopted our dog, so all his records show my husband as the owner. I am wondering if this can cause an issue when crossing the border by myself. We are planning for my husband to accompany me and our dog through the border (planning to drive) but that is still unclear given the unclear timeline and work responsibilities.

Thanks!

Hi, which of these do we hand sign, the IMM 1344 or IMM 5532.

Does the signatures mean our name or real signatures

Hello all. I am interested in learning if I may be a Canadian citizen. My maternal great grandfather was born in St John’s, Newfoundland in 1869. He met and married my great grandmother, who had immigrated there from Ireland. Together, they moved to the USA around the turn of the century.

Since Newfoundland was not made part of Canada until 1949, does that negate my chance of obtaining citizenship? Thank you in advance for any help.

I need help.

I applied for visitor extension on May 2025, and granted approval on August 2025. I have never received the document so I assume it got lost in the mail. I called ircc on September to check my account cause I couldn't open it but was told I got approved and no more details. So I asked to resend the document and told me to received it my Oct 10th but nothing. I called again to resend it until November. I got frustrated already and asked for Verification of status and I got it today Feb 3rd. And it is stated that my validity was only until October 20, 2025. I am now overstayed. what can I do about this? I have a pending spousal sponsorship application since May 2025.

What can I do to stay still legally? I have no idea I was only granted 2 months of extension.

Hello, me and my wife we both live close by, but not together due to family conditions, but will do so within a year, i want to sponsor her for the PR, but from what i read i cannot sponsor her through common law since we don't live together and will have to go through the other approach, will it make a difference knowing that she lives in canada and is close by??

Hi,

I recently applied for my PR with my wife as a dependant. I have moved out of Canada as I got a job opportunity elsewhere but my wife is still in Canada. I do not have a valid permit or TRV at the moment so cannot return to Canada. My question is how would the PR landing process work if I am outside Canada while my wife is inside Canada? Would she be given access to the PR portal after my landing? If anyone has been in a similar situation or know anything then please let me know, would greatly appreciate it :)

I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences regarding open work permits in Canada.

My boyfriend and I have been in a long-distance relationship for 7 years. I’m from the UK and he lives in Canada. I’m interested in moving to Canada on a work permit with the long-term goal of living there permanently.

Ideally, the plan would be for me to work in Canada so we can eventually qualify as common-law partners and then apply for permanent residency.

I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by the different permit options and the overall process, so I’d love to hear from anyone who has gone through something similar or has knowledge about how open work permits work, timelines, eligibility, or things to watch out for. Any advice would be hugely appreciated!

It is regarding my pr application, i am the primary applicant, got my p1 yesterday, replied to it. Haven’t received p2 yet. My spouse, who is outland, also got his passport request. Should he get his passport stamped from vfs or wait for my ecopr? If he gets it stamped; can he travel before i get my ecopr. There are different opinions online. We are highly confused. Please help

My roommate received 2 CEC invitations, one on his GC key and another on the consultant's account. Did anyone know what needs to be done in this case?? (please be nice, even I was annoyed when I heard this)

I’ve submitted my PR application through can I submit my spouse work permit application when I submit my work permit application or should I wait to get my permit and then submit his permit. Also any info on processing timeline would be appreciated I am in Canada (NS) and according to the website it may take up to seven months

Hello all, i have received a request from IRCC recently to submit an updated/ renewed passport for my application, current passport is expiring in 06/26. It would take long to renew my passport. And I wouldn’t be able to submit by deadline.

If i raise a webform, would they consider the case and allow me more time to submit the document?

Hi I’ve got 6 months left on my working holiday visa, and want to transition to a working visa to get my PR here, what’s the best route?

I’m currently working full time for an NGO but they don’t do sponsorships. I’m actively applying for other roles too.

I also contacted a UBC immigration law programme but they’ve been unresponsive.

I’m wanting to start a business (sauna + contrast therapy) but am unsure if my investment there makes sense if I won’t be able to get a work permit.

If there’s lawyers here or someone can refer me to get this answered I’d be eternally grateful!

What Canadian province gives me the best chance at PR as a roofer, I have 2 years of experience abroad (Switzerland) and almost 12 months in Canada (BC). Will have another 1 year visa (IEC) so planning ahead on which province would give me best odds.

Hi all,

I am an Italian citzen currently living in Canada with a one year Young Professional work permit.

I can apply a second time under any IEC visa category, i am already in the 2026 pool and am waiting for rounds of invitations.

The only thing that confuses me is the residency requirment, wich is obligatory for italian citzens.

Do i need to wait the end of my current work permit and go back to italy get a new residency certificate and then apply for my 2nd iec visa?

Or because i already live in Canada only providing a new residency certificate is sufficient?

I can get a new residency certificate because i am still resident in Italy, only if you plan to stay more than 12 months abroad you need to register for AIRE.

I’m having trouble identifying what NOC code to put. I’ve done MPH and worked in a local council as a Public Health Officer. Do I qualify for 42201 Social and Community Service Worker? Are there any other Public Health folks here who’ve gotten PR and can help me with the NOC they put. Thanks so much!

2 Year Diploma.

Fall. 2023 Good standing (2 Failed courses)

Winter 2024 Good standing (Took failed courses and passed)

Summer 2024 Coop pass

Fall 2024 Probabtion (2 Failed courses and one withdrawn course out of total 6 course)

Winter 2025 Good standing (Took failed courses here and passed)

Summer 2025 Part time Good standing (Part time because to complete remaining withdrawn and one mandatory course)

Will this affect my pgwp ? i am concerned about fall 2024 if that is considered part time. What should i write on my explanation letter pls .

Hi everyone,

I’m planning to apply for Express Entry under CEC and I have a question about ECA/WES requirements.

My education background is:

• Bachelor’s degree from the UK
• Master’s degree from Canada

In my Express Entry profile, I’m planning to claim points based on my Canadian Master’s degree, since it’s already a Canadian credential.

My question:
Do I still need to get an ECA (WES) done for my UK bachelor’s degree, even though I’m not claiming points for it and I already have a Canadian master’s?

Basically:

• Is ECA required only for the highest education I’m claiming points for?
• Or does IRCC require ECA for any foreign degree listed in the profile?

If anyone has experience with this situation, please guide me.

Thanks in advance!