Applying CEC from Quebec

[sisabed]

I am working in Montreal, Quebec on a closed Work Permit (restricted to one employer) and have over one year of experience in Canada. I wish to apply for PR through Canadian Experience Class. One of the requirements of CEC is that the applicant must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. Under the present circumstance I cannot stay outside the province of Quebec, because my job is in Quebec. Also, I cannot take up a new job in another province since I have a closed Work Permit. I cannot apply through Quebec class since I don't know French.

However, I can take up a job in another province after getting the PR. It is much easy since the prospective employer doesn’t have to go through the hassles of LMO.

I know of instances when Visa Officer is expressing concern that an applicant from Quebec may not reside in another province after obtaining the PR. What can be the steps that could allay the concerns of the Visa Officer that I intend to live outside Quebec immediately on obtaining a PR.

 

[seton]

Unfortunately the burden of proof is for you to demonstrate that you intend to settle outside Quebec. Under ideal circumstances, it would look good for you to be outside Quebec when you actually apply - your experience to qualify for the class just needs to be Canadian (i.e. experience gained in Quebec will qualify), but then it would demonstrate that you're intending to settle outside Quebec. I know your work permit situation would require a new WP and LMO. You can try demonstrating intent by applying for jobs outside Quebec, and if you're questioned, show that you attempted.

To be honest, if I were in your situation, I would just try to apply for the CEC class as is but also start working on my french as a backup plan to apply under the PEQ if the CEC option falls through. Quebec has the programme de l'expérience québécoise (PEQ), which the CEC equivalent for those wishing to settle in Quebec. Living in a francophone community would make learning the language easier, and meeting the minimum requirements for the language testing may not be as difficult as your think. In addition, learning French regardless of where you ultimately settle in Canada is a good marketable skill .

Bonne chance !