Which category to apply in?

[PR_mein]

Hi all,

I've been trying to figure out the right category to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency.

1. Skilled worker: I qualify for the points(have 77). But the Canadian Immigration website says I need to have a year of experience in one of the few specific fields of occupation. OR else I need to have an employment letter from a Canadian employer. Is this true? I do not qualify for either one. I've heard quite a lot that I can successfully apply for PR if I make the minimum points. Is that true?

2. AINP: I'm on H1B in US for 4 years and my field of work makes me eligible for AINP. Does this program also require me to obtain a letter of employment from a Canadian employer?

I'm very confused and am looking for advice.

 

[Leon]

1. As it says on the CIC website, to apply for FSW, you need to have a 1 year experience in an occupation on the list or you need an employment offer or you need to already be in Canada for a year as a TFW or a student before you apply. These rules were posted on November 28, 2008 and applied to all applications since February 27, 2008. If you had applied before February 27, 2008, you would only have needed sufficient points.

2. You do not need a job offer to apply under the H1B program in AB.

 

[PR_mein]

Thanks Leon! That made things much clearer for me. Although I have some follow up questions.

1. I'm planning to simultaneously apply in both FSW and AINP, just to be safe. Do you think I can do that.

2. Also, with offer letter from a Canadian employer, does the letter need to be with me before I apply? Thats a little tough because I might not be able to receive my PR for a few years. So my Canadian employer has to agree to hold my job till then?

Thanks in advance

 

[Leon]

1. You can apply for both. There are no rules saying you can't but it will cost you double the fees if you do. It looks like Alberta is swamped with people right now so FSW may be faster.

2. You need the job offer before you apply. If you bothered to read the instructions and document checklist for FSW, you would know that you need to send it along with your application. I do not know why you are going on about few years. The rules have been changed so that nobody would have to wait a few years anymore. In any case, an employer who gives you a letter is not actually bound to hire you when you arrive and you do not need to work for him either unless you want to. The only problem is getting the job offer in the first place.

 

[PMM]

HI

Thanks Leon! That made things much clearer for me. Although I have some follow up questions.

1. I'm planning to simultaneously apply in both FSW and AINP, just to be safe. Do you think I can do that.

2. Also, with offer letter from a Canadian employer, does the letter need to be with me before I apply? Thats a little tough because I might not be able to receive my PR for a few years. So my Canadian employer has to agree to hold my job till then?

Thanks in advance

Whats the point of applying for FSW as you don't have experience in an occupation on the list and you don't have an Approved Employment Offer from an Employer in Canada? YOu are just wasting your time and CICs time.

PMM