5 Y work exp, lived in US 8 years, MS (Comp Eng). studying in CA,Imm help

[GradM]

I am new in this forum so pardon any errors in posting.

I did my masters from USA and then worked for 4 years through US work visa H1B. Went back home due to some family emergency. Now I am in Canada on study permit doing my second Masters. I am a Programmer/Project Manager. Highly trained.

Is there an option where I can apply for immigration to canada under skilled worker option.

People living outside Canada applies for immigration and if their paperwork is fine, their app is approved. I am not in the job market right now, because I am a full time student for now (taking break), so I would really like to see what my options are. Do I have to be working if I apply under skilled worker option (I have great work experience, worked with Fortune 50 companies).
Please give me some good answers, I am very worried.

[App]

You can apply for canada PR if you worked for 1 year in any of the presently considered NOC skilled worker category.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp#list
                       OR
You can apply for PR if you have an arranged employment with any of Canada company
                       OR
you can apply as foreign student (Canadian experience class) if you study full time for 2 yrs in Canada.

Hope this helps

Good luck

[GradM]

Appreciate your urgent response:)

Just to clarify, I can apply now?? as skilled worker even though I am not working right now?   (Even though, I am in my first semester of my second Masters and have ca study permit)

ALSO by PR you mean what? I am guessing it stands for permanent residence, right?

One more questions, they ask for Ielts (English Test) from people who have been living in US for more than 5 years and speak in English. Just because the applicant is born in some other country and have another language as mother tongue (this is on the application) that is, what is your mother tongue?

Is there a way to skip this test, I mean it is expensive and I am doing my second Master's and for all my degrees the primary (infact the only language of study) has been English. Taking this exam after that seems a bit stupid.

[App]

You can apply if you have worked 1 yr full time or equivalent part time in last ten years in any
of the presently considered skilled worker NOC's.
Yes, by PR I mean permanent residency.
There is no way to avoid IELTS.
Your application will be returned to you as incomplete
if you do not enclose the original IELTS general test score.
IELTS effective Dec 23, 2010 valid for 2 years instead of 1 year.

Good luck

[GradM]

Thank you so much, this is extremely helpful