CEC or Alberta Nominee Program

[bingliusmart]

Hi: Thanks in advance for whoever's reading.
I graduated from May 2009, and have beening working full-time since then. I've been working for the same employer for two years already before my graduation in May 2009, so in theory the accumulated work hours are more than full time of a year already.
However, I can also apply for the Alberta provincal nominee program, but just gave them a call and it's gonna take them 10 months to approve me, then I can apply to Fedral.

I'm not sure how long the CEC will take for immigration applications, but if it is less than 1 year or 1.5 years, there's not point for applying for the provincial nominee, am I right?

Any suggestions guys? Anyone know how long it's gonna take for CEC rather than Alberta PNP?

Any replies appreciated.

[Leon]

I was looking at trackitt.com not long ago and it looked like CEC was around 5 months average.  I'd go for CEC.  Another advantage is that if something happens at your job and you lose your job or even have to go back to old country, your processing keeps going with CEC.

[bingliusmart]

Thank you Leon for your fast reply.
I just called CIC call centre, the agent told me they don't count my off campus work permit part time work experience, even it was under the same company I work for now.
I guess I'll have to keep working for another 8 months or so.

However, I do remember some of the guys from other forum said they used their off campus work permit experience or coop work experience to accumulate hours. Weird :(

[Leon]

If you apply as a graduate, they will only count work after you graduated but you are applying as a worker, right?  I would think that they would accept part time work for that.  Were you clear with them that you are applying as a worker and not as a graduate?

[bingliusmart]

Hi Leon:
Thanks for your reminder! I've been working for half a year already, and yes I'm a worker.
Maybe I should call the Immigration Office in the US directly to find out?
I called the CIC call centre yesterday, and I guess the lady said no for me, but I don't know the difference between applying as a graduate or worker?

Thanks for your time :) Cheers.

[bingliusmart]

BTW, my part time experience were during my full time study in Calgary, and was on an off campus work permit. Maybe that's the reason it won't count... However I worked at the same company as a software developer, not like MC or KFC experience.

[Leon]

Applying for CEC as a graduate means you need two years of school and one year of full time work and this work needs to be after you graduated, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/graduates.asp

If you apply as a worker, you just need 2 years of full time work, see http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/workers.asp