consequences of family class vs. skilled worker

[abedelia]

I have just submitted an application for PR under the family class (my spouse is Canadian and he is sponsoring me) but I was told by an acquaintance that I might have been better off filing it in the skilled worker class. I don't know much about that route because I never really considered it, but I looked it up on the CIC website and it appears that I might be eligible... I am a professional in one of the occupations on the list of eligible occupations and I have experience and a job offer.

My question is, what are the consequences of applying under one class vs. the other. My understanding is that under the family class, if you leave Canada with your spouse (for a job or family obligation or whatever), you can retain your PR status in Canada as long as you are with your spouse. That was comforting to me because my spouse is a dual US-Canadian citizen and we might at some point move back to the US but it would be nice to have the option of someday returning to Canada without having to re-apply for PR for me. Does it work this way with the skilled worker category?

I guess my question boils down to this: in terms of the conditions of your PR status, does it matter HOW you received it in the first place? Or is it the case that once you have it, it's the same situation no matter how you got it?

 

[Leon]

The PR is the same PR once you get it whether you got it through the skilled worker program or through family sponsorship. After 3 years of living in Canada as a PR, you can apply for Canadian citizenship and if you do, you could leave for as long as you want and still be able to come back.

If you are only PR, you need to fulfil the residency requirements of staying in Canada at least 730 days total every 5 years. If you are accompanying your Canadian citizen spouse in another country though, your PR is protected, even if you do not meet the 730 days requirement.

 

[abedelia]

Thanks PMM, that's what I wanted to know!!