Weird Case

[elphyon]

So, I've been an international student in Canada since 1999.
Graduated elementary, middle, and high school in Vancouver. Currently going to UBC, graduating with a BA in 2011.
No family in Canada. South Korean citizen.

It has always seemed silly to be that I can't become a PR in Canada despite having spent more than ten years in Canada.
Went for a free consultation a while ago and the lawyer seemed bit lost as to what immigration class I should apply under, should I choose to do so.
CEC looks like a plausible choice but I'm wondering if full-time co-op employments count as work experience? I did four terms of co-op, which amounts to 16 months of paid, full-time (40hr/week) work.

[flag2009]

you would be eligible to apply for CEC after you graduate and have worked for 1 year.

The immigration process has become very restrictive, you can only apply for FSW if you have an arranged employment or your profession falls under the 29 list

[jes_ON]

Boy that does seem silly.  I gather you came with your parents, but they have not applied for PR?

Unfortunately, your co-op work experience will not count under CEC.  Once you graduate, after one year of SKILLED employment (NOC code O A or B), you would qualify under CEC.

Check into the BC provincial nominee program too.  
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/provincial/apply-who.asp

[elphyon]

Yes. I came with my mother, who then had to return to Korea.
Ah, it sucks that co-op won't count toward CEC.

The worst of it all is the international tuition, which has been slowly sucking the life out of me over the years.