Not everything always happens right away as you wish. Don't give up sounds like three simple words for somebody, while for another person these three words mean something that helps them to continue living their daily life. There are few common problems and struggles on the way to immigration and some people will say that it's not worth it... In my opinion, it is. Even though this process could really be a whole lot of sweat and tears.
Seven years ago I came to this country in hopes of getting education and settling down here as a resident or an immigrant. International tuition costs a whole fortune and it wasn't easy. Sometimes my year was not paid off and university wouldn't let me begin a new school year until I pay off the fees for the previous one. If I don't study full-time, then I'm required to leave the country. I wasn't giving up and I was trying to be patient and have faith that everything will work out. And it always somehow did work out...last moment.
After I graduated from university I still had a big debt. University wasn't going to give me my transcripts until I paid it off and without transcripts I would not be able to apply for post-graduation work permit and stay in the country. I had three months after my graduation to finalize everything before immigration would tell me to leave. I was applying to different banks to get a loan but without a co-signer no one would give it to me. I only had a part-time job at that time and this wasn't enough to pay off the school debt. No OSAP or bursaries are available for international students either. All I had left was prayers and hope... And somehow everything still worked out... Again, last moment.
Finally, a year later, I thought I became so close to my destination... After working full-time for a year, I applied for my permanent residence status. I was really lucky to have a job right away after graduation. I took a big breath in, knowing that in about 7-8 months I can breath out and finally celebrate my new status in Canada - as an official immigrant...
So, 7 months later I got... a refusal from Citizenship and Immigration Canada! It honestly felt like a sharp knife through my chest. All these years of struggle and patience, just to see them say that my full-time job belongs to an occupation class that doesn't qualify me for permanent residence? Really? Due to the fact that immigration website did not have any information on how to properly extend my type of work permit, they also refused my work permit extension around the same time as they refused my permanent residence application. Which means... I can't work legally. Perfect.
I was sure that something was wrong so I read through a humongous legal document of all the definitions and requirements and I realized that government made an error... I requested some information from Human Resources Canada and they replied that my supposition was correct and that immigration officer was wrong. I forwarded an official appeal letter to Citizenship and Immigration Canada processing center and surely a month later they replied with apologies for their mistake. A mistake that cost me unemployment for over three months so far.
I try to be positive and look to the bright side of things... At this point it could take a few weeks or months before I finally reach my destination and I can guarantee you that when I become a permanent resident, there will be a big celebration...
I definitely learnt a lot of patience and perseverance through all of this and I also learnt a lot of things about canadian immigration which you can't find on their website and can only find out from an immigration lawyer or an immigration consultant. I found out after I already failed...
An advise to future immigrants - don't do it on your own. Help of an expert could save you a lot of time and trouble. I did all of it on my own and only if I had some better descriptions in my application, I would have avoided the immigration agent's mistake most likely... IMHO
For other advises you are welcome to leave questions in comments below :)
Good luck, and remember that every cloud has a silver lining! In the end, everything happens for a reason and we often learn by mistakes and our destinies are shaped not only by our fortunes, but often also my our mistakes and misfortunes :) Don't give up!
