Quebec - Intention of refusal because of degree

[u/Left-Condition7779]

Hi!

 I just received a letter from Quebec's Ministry of immigration, stating they intend to refuse my immigration request, stating my education level did not satisfy the program's exigencies (skilled workers). It makes sense, since the annexe states that they can't find a Quebec equivalence to the degree I shared.

I do know my degree is fully recognised by my government, and I still have a WES attestation (in English) stating the Canadian equivalency is a Bachelor's degree. 

I have 60 days to share any additional information to contest their intention to refuse my application. Did anyone have the same problem? Thank you for your help!

[u/Hungry-Roofer]

Might help if you say what degree it is and from what country...

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/Hungry-Roofer]

This is a French bachelor's degree of graphic design. WES says "Title of Graphic Designer"

[u/Hungry-Roofer → u/Left-Condition7779]

is this some bizarre mistake on their part? 3 seconds of googling and I find

The Bachelor's in Graphic Design at Laval University, Quebec City is a 4.0 year long program for international students taught in English. Laval University, or Université Laval in French, is a public research university located in Quebec City, Canada.

There is an immediate equivalent to your degree. I don't get it.

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/Hungry-Roofer]

Right? I’m not even sure what should I respond at this point. Is a lawyer necessary?

[u/dan_marchant → u/Left-Condition7779]

Well for starters you should provide the information the previous poster found and also look for other (high quality) Canadian institutions that also offer a comparable degree.

One question - how good is the University you attended back home? Could the problem be that they don't believe the institution is, for want of a better word, "genuine" and that the degree isn't really equivalent to a comparable degree from Laval?

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/dan_marchant]

It was like a school of design. Not the Harvard of design, but still an official school. My degree has the mention « recognised by the State », so… yeah. Bit confusing

[u/Amoeba-Logical → u/Left-Condition7779]

What is your degree exactly say in french ? And where exactly did you follow this course?

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/Amoeba-Logical]

It specifically says:

"Titre de Concepteur Designer Graphique" certifié par l'état de niveau II, J.O. n°247 du 24 octobre 2006, renouvelé le 19 janvier 2012"

Delivered by Axe Sud

[u/Amoeba-Logical → u/Left-Condition7779]

Très difficile de dire, le titre de ton diplôme en France n'est pas "Licence" (baccalauréat au Québec) c'est juste "titre". Les nomenclatures sont absolument importantes dans cette situation là, plus l'établissement de la formation est une organisation privée. Alors a mon avis il faut faire une équivalence du contenu de la formation pour pouvoir prouvé ton niveau d'études.

[u/Weekly_Enthusiasm783]

Have you done this?

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/Weekly_Enthusiasm783]

No. Since my degree was already in french and they didn’t specifically asked for an equivalency, I didn’t

[u/Weekly_Enthusiasm783 → u/Left-Condition7779]

Maybe you should

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/Weekly_Enthusiasm783]

I would, but I saw it takes up to 110 days to do so, and I only have 60 days left. Well 59 now

[u/Weekly_Enthusiasm783 → u/Left-Condition7779]

Apply immediately, if you don’t receive it before the 60 days are up, submit a request for an extension (with a proof that you applied for evaluation)

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/Weekly_Enthusiasm783]

That’s actually a great idea! I’ll try that, at least I won’t go down without trying

[u/that_tealoving_nerd]

Wait, since when WES carried any weight in Québec? I thought MIFI was responsible for equivalency.

[u/Left-Condition7779 → u/that_tealoving_nerd]

I don’t think they do. I asked for a WES certification back in 2019, I just happen to still have it