US H1B to Canada PR

[Robin_Pandey]

Hi Friends,
My wife who is a canadian citizen has applied for my PR and the app is in the final stages now.
I live & work in USA on H1B visa(IT industry) which is valid for 3 more years. I am in a dialemma how to go about with my next step after getting canadian PR.

Is it better to do just the landing formality first , come back to US and keep looking for jobs in canada from US while I am still working here in US (Is this really possible, can I just get an offer over phone interviews. Rmbr I am looking for Software jobs)
Or
Should I start settling down and look for jobs (My wife and her parents who all are working are encouraging this option. Glad that they are more than willing to accomodate me till I settle down, but I prefer to live on my own with my wife immediately)
Or
Can I look for jobs even before I get my spousal PR and allow myself the luxury of landing in canada with a Job offer.

Awaiting valuable inputs of experinced members

 

[Dejaavu]

I had a similar experience and I left my job in the US. I regret it. I should stayed at my job in the US as long as the visa allowed and my PR status in Canada allowed.

I wouldn't move until I find a job in Canada. You have quite a bit of time to apply for jobs, network and find a job in Canada.

It took me about 7 months to find a job in Canada and if I would do it again I wouldn't move until I secured a job or some serious leads.

You can land on the last days of your immigrant visa validity and leave the country and your friends/family in Canada can send you the PR card. After that you can be a Canadian PR since your wife is a Canadian citizen and living with you outside of Canada.

You can come to Canada on your own terms when you get a similar job in the US.

 

[Dejaavu]

Since your wife is Canadian, you stay out of Canada as long as you are married. The only issue if you want to apply for citizenship you will need to reside here at least 2 years to qualify for citizenship as far as I remember.

 

[Dejaavu]

And you can land pretty much anytime since your wife is Canadian and fulfilling residency requirement to maintain PR status is not an issue for you.

 

[jomz]

Since your wife is Canadian, you stay out of Canada as long as you are married. The only issue if you want to apply for citizenship you will need to reside here at least 2 years to qualify for citizenship as far as I remember.

the above is completely incorrect, complete nonsense.

Because your wife is a Citizen , you can live outside of Canada indefinately as long as your Canadian Citizen wife is living with you (otherwise for only up to 3 years out 2 in canada in each 5 years).

If you are in US on your own and your wife is Canada this time is not counted toward your residency requirement.

 

[jomz]

And you can land pretty much anytime since your wife is Canadian and fulfilling residency requirement to maintain PR status is not an issue for you.

Again, completely incorrect statement above.

You have to land with your CORP document before the expiry date of the CORP. Right after you can go back to the US. Note that if your wife is not residing with you in the US you have to maintain your residency requirements (2 out of each 5 years in Canada).

 

[Dejaavu]

Jomz,

I meant to land anytime before the expiration of the immigrant visa.

I agree that he has to live with his Canadian wife outside of Canada to maintain PR status.

As for applying for citizenship, living outside of Canada with a Canadian spouse does not count towards 1095 days for the citizenship application.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/applying-for-canadian-citizenship-whilst-living-abroad-t121033.0.html

 

[Dejaavu]

Jomz,

"Since your wife is Canadian, you stay out of Canada as long as you are married. The only issue if you want to apply for citizenship you will need to reside here at least 2 years to qualify for citizenship as far as I remember." is not nonsense.

If you are married to a Canadian citizen and you are a PR you can live outside of Canada with your spouse and maintain your PR status as long as you are married and living together. Please read the whole three answers before calling it nonsense and incorrect.

 

[jomz]

Jomz,

"Since your wife is Canadian, you stay out of Canada as long as you are married. The only issue if you want to apply for citizenship you will need to reside here at least 2 years to qualify for citizenship as far as I remember." is not nonsense.

If you are married to a Canadian citizen and you are a PR you can live outside of Canada with your spouse and maintain your PR status as long as you are married and living together. Please read the whole three answers before calling it nonsense and incorrect.

 

[jomz]

Jomz,

I meant to land anytime before the expiration of the immigrant visa.

I agree that he has to live with his Canadian wife outside of Canada to maintain PR status.

#3As for applying for citizenship, living outside of Canada with a Canadian spouse does not count towards 1095 days for the citizenship application.

http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/applying-for-canadian-citizenship-whilst-living-abroad-t121033.0.html

All correct. Just from what you posted before it read he can live as PR outside while his wife is in Canada, because this is where she is now. Not with him.

As for # 3 above, I wish they counted it LOL I want to work outside Canada (Im a citizen) sponsoring my husband for PR, but I dont want to delay his Citizenship

 

[Dejaavu]

Good luck with the sponsorship!

 

[Robin_Pandey]

Thank you for the responses.

And Yes I am definitely a lil bit concerned about my career.
Suddenly leaving US at once makes me feel uncomfy.

Please also answer the below.

Being a software programmer would I be able to secure a job in canada while residing in US, like taking phone interviews only, from Canadian employers. Is that common among employers in canada. I mean to say, will they hire people just over phone/video conference. Or may be atleast do the above first and then call the candidate for in-person intrw as a last round.

Secondly, Even before getting the PR and even before I land, does it make any sense to start a job search. Would I be considred for interviews as a future resident or do I have to obtain my PR status first and only then I should proceed.

Thnx in advance

 

[Dejaavu]

As for the first question, I do not know since I am not in that field.

As for the second question, you should be fine. If they ask you if you have work authorization in Canada, you can tell them you are about to get a PR status and it should be fine. You will need to get a social insurance number (Canadian version of social security number) before you start working.

 

[Dejaavu]

It definitely does make sense to start a job search and have 'feel' of the job market in your area of expertise.

 

[Robin_Pandey]

Thnx buddy,
Yah I think I should start searching, but wondering whether would my CV be even filtered or not If I mention that I am a US resident and also with my Ph nmbr they would know where I am right now.

Well anyways, plz suggest me some nice job search sites...I'll give it a try...