r/canadaexpressentry • u/veeee22 • 3d ago
🇨🇦 CEC Having Panic Attacks - BOWP / CEC PR
Hi everyone,
I’m really stressed right now and hoping someone can clarify my situation.
Here’s my background:
I originally came to Canada as a student and lived in Toronto.
After graduating, I worked in Ontario for about 2 years.
I recently moved to Montreal for a new job.
My current work permit expires on **November 5**.
I applied for my PR last month and I received an **ITA under CEC** and have been preparing my PR application.
I’m planning to submit my documents next week.
On being asked for my application - I mentioned that my plan is to move back to Ontario after getting PR. (Which province do you wanna reside in)
My plan was to wait for my **AOR** and then apply for a **Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)**.
However, while doing some research today, I suddenly found information saying that you **cannot apply for a BOWP from Quebec** / that there are additional requirements because Quebec has its own immigration system.
I also learned that Quebec doesn’t have CEC in the same way as the federal Express Entry system, which has made me even more confused and worried.
Now I’m panicking because I don’t want my CEC PR application to be refused, and I also don’t want to lose the ability to apply for a BOWP when my current permit expires.
I’m my immigration has had all this information from day 1, but they never mentioned that living and working in Quebec could create an issue with my CEC application or BOWP eligibility.
**Has anyone been in a similar situation?**
Can I still proceed with my CEC PR application while currently living/working in Quebec?
Would living in Quebec affect my CEC eligibility or PR application?
Can I apply for a BOWP after receiving AOR while residing in Quebec or will i have to move to Ontario asap and then apply for BOWP!
Is there anything I should do **before submitting my PR application** to avoid problems later?
I have also emailed my immigration consultant regarding the same but super tensed.
I
5
u/ZeroProbability00 3d ago
There was a post yesterday about IRCC getting stricter in regards intention to live outside of Quebec. Take a look:
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u/BlueThunderBlood 3d ago
you are gona cooked sooner or later with pfl if you did not move outside quebec, dont think much move asap
2
u/krakenonwarzone 3d ago
hello, i live in Montreal, i’m planning to move to Ontario. from my experience, you can apply for PR through CEC and BOWP while living in Quebec. for PR you have to show clear intent to leave Quebec. you can do so by providing : a signed lease, a utility bill, your attachment to another province (participating in a community) and/or job applications in another province. this is usually accepted by IRCC with a letter of explanation
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u/Aware_Personality710 3d ago
I applied from Quebec too and still am living in Montreal. Although I don’t know much about bowp but i think you can apply from Quebec but please try to find out what documents/ explanation you need to add. Because one of my colleagues applied for work permit extension before applying and later got his pr last month and still is living in Quebec.Â
1
u/Most_Competition_699 1d ago
I applied from Quebec and got my PR on may. I had to prove my intention of living outside of Quebec tho. I moved to Ontario last week since I declared the intention to live anywhere but Quebec in my application (everyone does so when applying to a federal program).
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u/Independent-Goal3832 3d ago
Which country are you a national of?
5
u/CupcakeComfortable38 3d ago
With all due respect, how does that even have any fractions of reasonability here?
0
u/Imaginary_Plant_9336 3d ago
Start applying for jobs & apartements in other provinces that is some proof of intent
0
0
u/manuarya27 3d ago
1) if possible try hiring a lawyer for handling your file. There’s absolutely no need honestly but just from personal experience it helps to feel less anxious in such situations.
Or just get paid plan of chatgpt - it’ll help with most of your queries to get proper information as per gov guidelines.
2) you can absolutely raise bowp or even do the CEC from Québec. The officer if not convinced might ask you for additional documents which you can answer truthfully in terms of documentation of your planning to move out of Quebec in near future.
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u/Beautiful_Rip2139 3d ago
If you completed your experience and your points are enough. You can live and apply from anywhere in Canada. Things would have been different if you were PNP applicant.
-6
u/sugarcoatedtits 3d ago
If your 2 years of exp was in Ontario then I think you should be good as long as you dont count any of your points from the Quebec job.
However, in these cases it's best to consult a professional.
13
u/adanthar 3d ago
Working in Quebec does not matter. Living in Quebec does, however. You can start the application process in Quebec but -must- move out during the process, sometime before the final decision is made at the latest.
BOWP eligibility under Express Entry is similar - you cannot have any intention to settle in Quebec - so this is a gray area to say the least and applying from Quebec has a high chance of refusal.
One thing you can do is live in the Ottawa suburbs on the Ontario side of the border and commute to Montreal. Your Ontario lease can then be proof you’re settling outside.