International Student under new FSW rules

[OXFPEI]

Hello,

I am an international student here in canada in my 3rd year of unviersity taking engineering.

i m currently under my co-op term working for an engineering firm as a systems engineer (hardware and software)
i will return to school in Jan 2010.

i have valid permits (study permit, work permit, co-op work permit).
All i am trying to ask is whether i am eligible to apply under the new FSW rules category SW3 where it says that international students who have resided in canada legally for one year are eligible to apply for immigration?

Do i have to show any work experience?

Can anyone please shed some light into it?

Also, if i am eligible where am i supposed to send my application, Buffalo or Sydney NS?


Any help will be greatly appreciated

 

[Leon]

Start reading here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp

For the quick version, yes, you are eligible to apply under category 3 if you manage to get 67 points on the self assessment and if you have at least 1 year continuous work experience in a skilled job. You would send the application to Sydney.

 

[OXFPEI]

thanks for the reply but does co-op experience count as work experience?

does working as a receptionist at a salon part time count as work experience?

 

[Leon]

One year continuous skilled work experience. I am not sure what you mean by "co-op" but receptionist as a salon is highly unlikely to be considered a skilled job.

If you don't qualify for FSW, you can wait until you graduate, get your post-grad work permit and then look into PNP's for graduates with job offer or PNP employer stream or you can work for a year and apply under CEC. You can find these programs at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

 

[azndude]

HI Leon you just know everything about immigration huh? Quick question for you, how long does the FSW take? This might get me into Canada with work permit and be with my fiance quicker? I think last time I checked, I scared 83, but not sure if computer programmer is still on the list though.. I didn't really look into this much.

 

[Leon]

As far as I know, immigration has not yet published the processing time for FSW since the new rules but it's supposed to be fast. You can go to trackitt.com and check it there. The problem is, unless your occupation is on the most wanted list of 38 professions, you will need a job offer.

 

[azndude]

Thanks, Leon. Do I have to have at least one year experience and is still employing under that job code? Because now I am doing new job position on my work visa.

 

[Leon]

If you are one of the 38 most wanted, you need to have 1 year experience in one of the 38 jobs and apply under that NOC. If you are not one of the 38 and are applying with job offer (AEO), then you just have to have 1 year experience in any skilled job and preferably you need to have some qualifications or experience doing the job you have a job offer for.

 

[surfturtle]

Anyhoo...going back to OP's question for which s/he may be waiting for an answer until his/her thread was hijacked by some "dude"

thanks for the reply but does co-op experience count as work experience?

does working as a receptionist at a salon part time count as work experience?

co-op experience may count as long as its equivalent to one year continuous full-time work experience and relates to an occupation at skill type 0 or skill level A or B under the NOC. See this link for more information - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/graduates.asp

For jobs and their NOC description, see this link - http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx

Hope it helps
Surf

 

[azndude]

Sorry OP lol...... I am done with my questions.

Anyhoo...going back to OP's question for which s/he may be waiting for an answer until his/her thread was hijacked by some "dude"

thanks for the reply but does co-op experience count as work experience?

does working as a receptionist at a salon part time count as work experience?

co-op experience may count as long as its equivalent to one year continuous full-time work experience and relates to an occupation at skill type 0 or skill level A or B under the NOC. See this link for more information - http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/graduates.asp

For jobs and their NOC description, see this link - http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/Welcome.aspx

Hope it helps
Surf

 

[maple]

It is really frustrating that when we first applied, we (international students) believed we sure would get a decision within 6 months to 1 year as maximum time line. I am an international student here in Canada for four years now, have NOC on the list, experience of 5 years in a mentioned job on the list, and still no sign of PPR! It is 15 months now and waiting is the only option I have.
I hope things will move faster in Buffalo office who everyone seems to complain about its delay in giving whatever update, even applications under the new rules.