Currently in H1B in US - got canadian PR ; what are my options?

[rchetan]

Hello All,

I am currently in the US on a h1b with a good employer. And have recently received a PR card for Canada. My understanding is i have to live there for 2 years out of the next 5years to maintain my PR status; i have been trying to look for jobs in canada but the options are very limited. Is there any option whereby i can keep my US job based on h1b and live in canada (i live about 3hours away from a canadian border; in seattle). i mean can i commute say every week back and forth? while my family is located in canada. Or do both me and my spouse have to live in canada for the entire 2years to keep our PR status.


any resources that can be useful or information is very much appreciated.

thankyou
-rchetan

[Leon]

If your family lives in Canada, they will keep their PR and be able to apply for citizenship after 3 years.  If you come to Canada on Fridays and leave again on Sundays, you are staying in Canada 3 days a week, outside for 4.  If you did that for 5 years, you are staying within your residency requirements.  You would have 780 days in Canada when you need 730.  Your PR card would be renewed but you would not be able to apply for citizenship.

It is not just 730 days in the first 5 years you have to live in Canada, it is 730 days in each 5 year period after that as well.  Since you are only 50 days over the limit of your residency requirements, that also means you have to be very careful about vacations outside Canada as well.

Other problems with doing this might be hassle with frequent border crossings and having to file taxes both in the US and Canada.  Other than that, it should work.

[USH1B]

rchetan,

There are many factors to be considered while taking a decision. You may consider the following options:

1. Keep trying for a job in Canada and attend interviews.
2. Get a canadian qualification, if possible, while in US to increase chances of getting a job.
3. If your I-140 is approved and priority date is not very far off, then it makes sense to continue in US. If you do not expect your US GC for another 5-6 years, then it may be worthwhile to move to canada. If you have enough savings to last for 5 months in canada, you should be able to get a decent job to start with.
4. If your wife can get a odd / small jobs in canada, you can continue looking for canadian jobs to your expectations.
5. Take a 2 week vacation, go to Canada and start looking for jobs seriously. If no success, come back to US and keep trying.

The list goes on... Most H-1 jobs in the US are not predictable and not guaranteed. Moreover, there are issues involved in shifting job in the US. If I were you, I would make the move to Canada.

I am also on H1B and waiting for PPR for canada. If I get my PR, I will not hesitate in moving to Canada even though I have a secured job in the US.

Best of luck

USH1B

[karsatjaya]

rchetan,

There are many factors to be considered while taking a decision. You may consider the following options:

1. Keep trying for a job in Canada and attend interviews.
2. Get a canadian qualification, if possible, while in US to increase chances of getting a job.
3. If your I-140 is approved and priority date is not very far off, then it makes sense to continue in US. If you do not expect your US GC for another 5-6 years, then it may be worthwhile to move to canada. If you have enough savings to last for 5 months in canada, you should be able to get a decent job to start with.
4. If your wife can get a odd / small jobs in canada, you can continue looking for canadian jobs to your expectations.
5. Take a 2 week vacation, go to Canada and start looking for jobs seriously. If no success, come back to US and keep trying.

The list goes on... Most H-1 jobs in the US are not predictable and not guaranteed. Moreover, there are issues involved in shifting job in the US. If I were you, I would make the move to Canada.

I am also on H1B and waiting for PPR for canada. If I get my PR, I will not hesitate in moving to Canada even though I have a secured job in the US.

Best of luck

USH1B

USH1B,

  You are rightly said. I am also on H1B and would like to move during June,2011.

Thanks

[CanadaHome]

I am new to this forum, I never heard about this forum, I read today and feels its nice post here.

I am also on H1B since 5years working with Fidelity mutual funds and want to move Canada.

Mukund

[nag1d]

I am in a similar situation too....on a H1B visa in the US and have my GC process going. Trying to evaluate pros and cons before I decide to move. Getting extremely stressful. Trying to get information about life in Canada vs life in US on the other post -  http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/moving-to-canada-from-us-pros-and-cons-discussion-topic-t60429.0.html.

[rchetan]

Thank you all for your thoughts and links provided.

Nag, Some of the stories from your link are outright scary; so i will take my rose tinted glasses off on canada for a while.

We've thought about some of those aspects (like fewer job opportunities etc) but thought we would do just fine. We are now reconsidering.

Keep posting folks..

thanks
-rchetan

[anumatri]

hey guys \
let me know should i wait for GC process ..7-9 years ( god only know ) 
or planning 2 move canada or AUS ?

[rchetan]

Reviving this thread; now we are getting close to the 3years rule (another 8months) and my US GC looks like its atleast 3-4years away.

Any more stories of people who have made the jump; or thinking of would be great..