Advise on if my husband and I qualify

[SandyUSA]

My husband is a Claims Representative and Adjuster for automobiles for Progressive Insurance in Long Island, New York.  He has been doing it for 9 years.  I am a Legal Secretary and have been working for 10 years (the past 2 I am home with my children).  Does anyone know if we would have a good chance of qualifying under the Skilled Worker category.

Any advise is appreciated.

Thanks.

Sandy

[SubatomicBionicNanoMan]

Yes, If you take the preliminary assessment test on canadavisa.com and pass it.
It is usually easier for US residents. Make sure you have the required proof of funds
to show for all family members.

[SandyUSA]

How does it work after we qualify.  If we applied for a job as a PR is it usually hard to find work in our fields since they technically have to give the jobs out first to Canadian Citizens?  Also, as far as funds, they are in both mine and my mother's name.  Is that okay.  I believe I would need about $20,000 to show for a family of 5.  I know I need to research more but just curious to know if you know the answers.

Thanks for answering.  Where abouts are you?  We are looking into the Oakville area.  Not sure if we can afford it but looking.  Right now we are in Long Island (NY). 

[SubatomicBionicNanoMan]

If you get your Canadian Permanent Residency, you are treated at par with Citizens and other Permanent Residents with respect to employment and most other rights. This policy/law/rule is as in the US.

Funds must only be in the name of the principal applicant.

Good sites to do research are:
http://www.cic.gov.ca/english/index.asp or http://www.canadavisa.com or http://www.settlement.org (Ontario)

I am living in the US and thinking of moving to Toronto. I am thinking of getting the Permanent Residency card but not settling immediately. Since only have to show two years out of five, I will delay my move until I get the best job offer of both countries. Meanwhile I intend to make short jaunts to Canada for a week per two months and share an apartment/basement with someone (students?) while searching for jobs. I think this is optimal if I want to reduce money burn rate.

[SandyUSA]

Thanks for the information - especially about being viewed equally as Canadians once becoming a permanent resident in the job market. 

I wish we could have the freedom of going back and forth like you are.  I envy you soooo much!!  Having 3 kids tends to strap you down. :0)

Anyway...one more thing if you don't mind..my mom is here (USA) too.  She will make the move with us.  She is a senior citizen with a fixed income from social security and owns her own home.  Do you know if she would qualify on her own for permanent residency or would we have to sponsor her once we got our own PR?  If we have to sponsor her once establishing our own PR (which would be 3 years to obtain our own and then an additional 2 years to get hers once we are making enough for low income cutoff)...is there anyway to for us all to be together during the waiting period?  From what I am understanding..she would have to stay in the states while we establish ourselves.   That would be a huge problem and my biggest concern out of everything.   

If you can, please advise.  Regardless...thanks for the info so far and good luck on your own journey.

Sandy from New York :o)