Immigration options

[iamabbas]

I am currently resident in the US on an H1B worker visa and am interested in getting Canadian Citizenship. I have tried contacting the Canadian Consulate in Seattle and in Buffalo but they won't talk to me unless I have already applied for immigration.

Here is what I want to do and I am not even sure if it can be done. I like my job a lot and I want to keep it for sometime at least. I want to apply for Canadian Immigration and then stay in the US after my application is approved and still get Canadian residency. I know it sounds laughable because the whole idea of getting the residency is to actually be a resident but I want to know if there is a possibility at all.

[Baloo]

Select a stream first then read, come back and list your questions.

Good luck.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

[iamabbas]

That didn't make sense at all. Did I fail to mention I am new to this forum? What is a stream?

[Baloo]

Welcome to the forum.

Choose the category "stream" of immigration that you can apply for:    

Skilled workers and professionals

Quebec-selected skilled workers

Canadian Experience Class

Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people

Provincial nominees

Sponsoring your family

So if you are married to a Canadian, Sponsoring your family - spousal.

[iamabbas]

I posted the questions above hoping someone will have an answer. If you don't have the answer, I'll just wait for someone who does.

[Baloo]

Your permanent resident status allows you to live in Canada, that is the reason it exists.
You should note that there is also a time limit on how long you can live outside the country.
To keep your status as a permanent resident, you must live in Canada for at least two years within a five-year period.

All the information is available on the CIC web site.


Also read here
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/guides/5445EA.asp

[nano24482]

Dear imabbas,

First thing you need to know is whether you are eligible to apply or not. For that you need to read the CIC website or consult a lawyer/agent.
As US has diff types of immigration:HI, L1, F1(student), family based so does Canada.
Most of the people on this forum fall under Federal Skilled worker category which you can apply if you have a job offer or fall under 29 skilled occupation(which are in high demand in Canada).
Apart from federal skilled worker at federal level provinces also have their own immigration based on their criteria.

Now for the other question.
When you immigrate to Canada on PR. you need to stay there till you get PR card with SIN no(similar to social security number of US) which takes about 15 days. But to get more benifits which is generally health care(insurance) you need to stay a min of 3 months in the same province.
Secondly to get citizenship you need to stay in Canada for around 3 years.

[upp942]

I am currently resident in the US on an H1B worker visa and am interested in getting Canadian Citizenship. I have tried contacting the Canadian Consulate in Seattle and in Buffalo but they won't talk to me unless I have already applied for immigration.

Here is what I want to do and I am not even sure if it can be done. I like my job a lot and I want to keep it for sometime at least. I want to apply for Canadian Immigration and then stay in the US after my application is approved and still get Canadian residency. I know it sounds laughable because the whole idea of getting the residency is to actually be a resident but I want to know if there is a possibility at all.

You can always start applying for Canada anytime. It might take a while before applications in canada are approved, especially if you choose Buffalo as your visa office, so this will be your chance to continue working in the US.  Once you get a permanent resident application approved from both countries, then you can decide where you want to permanently stay.

[iamabbas]

Thank you all for your responses and being so patient about it. This really helps. I am probably eligible under the federal program last I checked I had the 67 points. I plan on keeping my job even when I get the PR for Canada. Is that possible? I am a programmer and work mostly from home.

[nano24482]

Computer programmer is not included the 29 categories. So even if you get required points you cannot apply, until and unless you have an arranged employment.

[upp942]

Thank you all for your responses and being so patient about it. This really helps. I am probably eligible under the federal program last I checked I had the 67 points. I plan on keeping my job even when I get the PR for Canada. Is that possible? I am a programmer and work mostly from home.

Once you get the PR application approved, you will have a certain amount of time before it expires. Some people actually go to Canada just to do the "landing" procedure and then go back to their native country in order to finish any business that requires their attention. Just remember that in order for the PR card to stay valid, you have to physically be in Canada for a certain number of years out of the PR card's five year validity.

Please correct me if I'm wrong about the last sentence.  

[slavasz]

iamabbas What is your occupation? If you tell us we can give you better advice.

[iamabbas]

 @ nano24482: I plan to use my current job, which I can do from Canada as well, as my job offer. Will that work?

[iamabbas]

 @ slavasz: I am a computer programmer.

[nano24482]

Your job should be permenant and approved by HRSDC.

Earlier there was a category for Alberta Provincial Nomination for H1 category. But as of now it is closed.

Your only option now is to have an Arranged Employment and than apply for PR on that basis or you can get a temperory work permit work for sometimes in Canada and than Apply via canadian experience class.
In both the situations you need to leave your job and live in Canada.

If you are willing to learn French than apply in Quebec Skilled worker.