Applying for FSW - Currently in New York with H1B Visa

[johnrichard786]

Hi All,

I am planning to apply for Canada PR, currently I am in New York with a valid H1B visa till 2014. From the websites I understand that I have more then enough points for applying for permanent residency. However I have some clarifications .

1. I have around 9 years of work exp in IT industry . What is the probability that they could accept/reject . certainly having enough points does not guarantee for getting the PR so I would require more insights since I also hear that they do not encourage people from IT industry.

2. If the Immigration office starts accepting the applications forms from the month of May 2013, How long will they keep it opened and accept the applications. From some of the postings i see that the officials will close the office within a weeks time after opening. Please advise on this.

3.With regards to the funds , is it necessary that I must keep it in my account untill i get the PR or ( could I use it show the funds again if needed)

4. Please suggest any Attorney in New York.

5. Which is the best way to get PR is it through FSW or PNP

THANKS

 

[namaste]

1. First things first, CIC will announce a list of occupations (around 20 of them) sometime in April that will qualify to apply for the FSW. Based on such prior lists, it is very unlikely that IT occupations will make it, but you never know. SO, you can't apply if your job is NOT in that list.

2. They will keep it open until the quotas for each occupations are filled. But, in the past, CIC has not done a good job of relaying that information. They kept accepting applications even after the quotas were filled, which created the massive backlog that they are trying to process now. SO, I don't think it will be any different this time around. In case they stop accepting applications, they will most likely send your packet back to you.

3. Yes, it is necessary. Because, at any point later in the application process, they might ask for activity history of your bank account for the past 6 or 12 months. So, you need to maintain at least the minimum amount required at all times.

5. If you qualify, PNP would be a better and faster way. FSW's current and future prospects aren't very encouraging except for people applying with canadian job offers. So, it's best if you can get a job offer first and then apply.