Forum for US H1b to Canada PR discussion

[rj16]

Hello folks,
I am looking to start this topic for people in similar situation. I would like to discuss the things relevant to us. For example,
Is it worth to move to Canada? What are the pros and cons?
What is your current situation (PR application-wise)? Do you have any questions or concerns that you want to discuss?
What kind of issues that are faced during application process, FBI PCCs, WES Evaluation, IELTS, Employment Letters, POF etc. and common solutions?
If we get accepted, how do we handle the transition?

I'll start by providing my own experience here. Feel free to respond to any/all questions listed above, or something new, that I haven't thought of.

I'm relatively well settled in US, good job (consulting), family with a kid, and in my early 30s. I have an approved I-140 is 2015 under EB2, which means I can expect to get green card between 5-20 years(!).
I have started the application for Canada PR for the following primary reasons:
- Get some sort of stability with immigration status. Compared to always having to worry about most recent H1 application status, visa stamping, immigration arrival ques. etc.
- Get a better quality of life in Canada. I'm not very sure about this part. After all, I may be giving up better weather, economy, lower taxes etc.
- Get reunited with my parents quickly. As opposed to waiting 10+ years, if I wait for GC+Citizenship in US.
- Better political environment compared to US.

Given all the points above, I'm still not 100% convinced about making the move. But I have started the application anyways, and will cross the bridge when I get there.

I hope to hear your stories or input to my story.

RJ

 

[gailmargolis]

I believe there is already one. It's under the "Immigration to Canada" link, it's called "H-1B Holders in the U.S". Not a very active forum but it's there nonetheless

 

[Albertagoverner]

Hello folks,
I am looking to start this topic for people in similar situation. I would like to discuss the things relevant to us. For example,
Is it worth to move to Canada? What are the pros and cons?
What is your current situation (PR application-wise)? Do you have any questions or concerns that you want to discuss?
What kind of issues that are faced during application process, FBI PCCs, WES Evaluation, IELTS, Employment Letters, POF etc. and common solutions?
If we get accepted, how do we handle the transition?

I'll start by providing my own experience here. Feel free to respond to any/all questions listed above, or something new, that I haven't thought of.

I'm relatively well settled in US, good job (consulting), family with a kid, and in my early 30s. I have an approved I-140 is 2015 under EB2, which means I can expect to get green card between 5-20 years(!).
I have started the application for Canada PR for the following primary reasons:
- Get some sort of stability with immigration status. Compared to always having to worry about most recent H1 application status, visa stamping, immigration arrival ques. etc.
- Get a better quality of life in Canada. I'm not very sure about this part. After all, I may be giving up better weather, economy, lower taxes etc.
- Get reunited with my parents quickly. As opposed to waiting 10+ years, if I wait for GC+Citizenship in US.
- Better political environment compared to US.

Given all the points above, I'm still not 100% convinced about making the move. But I have started the application anyways, and will cross the bridge when I get there.

I hope to hear your stories or input to my story.

RJ

It all depends on your credentials in US.

• If your employer is top notch (keep in mind North American top notch means something else than 3rd world top notch) you might call TATA or Wipro top notch according to your Indian standards but we don’t consider that. TATA can’t even put toilet paper in dollar store in US). If you are directly in payroll as a w2 employee for client, you will not even consider Canada
• Your degree - if it is American degree and not from some Diploma mill located in US then you will not even consider Canada leave alone 3rdworld degrees.
• If you have been fully paid without any issue as per wages on LCA and I797 and all pay stubs are with you, you will never consider anything but proper US GC filing.

 

[Albertagoverner]

For real H1B deserving guy, no other country is an option but the United States. A friend of mine is DevOp Engineer and his H1B was filed by Chevron in Houston, Texas in 2009 which was a severely bad time for H1B guys and in 2012 he got his I140 approved and this guy was cool as amazing. No complaints about nothing. Infact rest of America was crying of recession, Fannie Mae bailout, AIG bankruptcy, Lehman Bankcruptcy and so on but he got no effect whatsoever.

He had Masters from UTEP (University of Texas in El Paso Campus)

This is how good and deserving H1B guys’ profile looks like.

Even today if you are fitting definition of good, GC approval is no big deal.

All those whose communication skills are horrible or good as per 3rd world standards, whose degree is drama, whose experience can’t be verified, whose very first H1 was thru consultancy, whose degree does not directly match skill set such as guy with Civil Engineering degree working as . Net developer simply because a New Jersey based body shop trained him - are example if those who are struggling like a cockroach in these times.

And nothing to worry because Darwin said hundreds of years ago “survival for the fittest” so fittest H1 guy should and will get GC sooner.

 

[lampbreaker]

Unfortunately, everybody in the EB queue is struggling with immigration stability issues. Yes, IT consultants, with bad education, no communication skills etc. are more at risk but it is all risky anyway. They will not struggle with whether the GC will eventually get approved or not, but how long it will take. 2015 priority date is at least 7 years away since the current date is 2008.

 

[DEEPCUR]

Guys this @Albertagovernor doesn't have any clear understanding of how GC process and country caps work in US. He thinks if one works for reputed US company as FTE, they can get it faster. You can ignore his posts. He neither got his i140, nor couldn't qualify for a direct FSW invite with his 'merits' and moved to Canada on Alberta PNP program back in 2009, became a citizen somehow, and now on a full time mission to discourage people from moving to Canada.

 

[AlbertaGovernor]

Guys this @AlbertaGovernor doesn't have any clear understanding of how GC process and country caps work in US. He thinks if one works for reputed US company as FTE, they can get it faster. You can ignore his posts. He neither got his i140, nor couldn't qualify for a direct FSW invite with his 'merits' and moved to Canada on Alberta PNP program back in 2009, became a citizen somehow, and now on a full time mission to discourage people from moving to Canada.

Please be mindful with your comments on who you are referring to here...
ME - AlbertaGovernor is different from Albertagoverner (the rogue who was banned from the forum) who appears as guest poster.

 

[DEEPCUR]

Please be mindful with your comments on who you are referring to here...
ME - AlbertaGovernor is different from Albertagoverner (the rogue who was banned from the forum) who appears as guest poster.

Apologies for that! It was intended at him!

 

[moose17]

You may also find the "US-based applicants, connect here" thread useful. It's a mix of H1b holders and citizens

 

[AlbertaGovernor]

Apologies for that! It was intended at him!

All good

 

[AlbertaGovernor]

For real H1B deserving guy, no other country is an option but the United States. A friend of mine is DevOp Engineer and his H1B was filed by Chevron in Houston, Texas in 2009 which was a severely bad time for H1B guys and in 2012 he got his I140 approved and this guy was cool as amazing. No complaints about nothing. Infact rest of America was crying of recession, Fannie Mae bailout, AIG bankruptcy, Lehman Bankcruptcy and so on but he got no effect whatsoever.

He had Masters from UTEP (University of Texas in El Paso Campus)

This is how good and deserving H1B guys’ profile looks like.

Even today if you are fitting definition of good, GC approval is no big deal.

All those whose communication skills are horrible or good as per 3rd world standards, whose degree is drama, whose experience can’t be verified, whose very first H1 was thru consultancy, whose degree does not directly match skill set such as guy with Civil Engineering degree working as . Net developer simply because a New Jersey based body shop trained him - are example if those who are struggling like a cockroach in these times.

And nothing to worry because Darwin said hundreds of years ago “survival for the fittest” so fittest H1 guy should and will get GC sooner.

So why did you move to Alberta with PNP?
That you think of yourself as so capable you should have waited back in the US to get your GC done
If I have not mistaken you got RQ'ed in your Canadian Citizenship application, why was that the case ?
Looks like you were trying to sail in two boats at the same time....and CIC found out about your intentions

 

[clguy]

So why did you move to Alberta with PNP?
That you think of yourself as so capable you should have waited back in the US to get your GC done
If I have not mistaken you got RQ'ed in your Canadian Citizenship application, why was that the case ?
Looks like you were trying to sail in two boats at the same time....and CIC found out about your intentions

What does RQ'ed mean?

 

[AlbertaGovernor]

What does RQ'ed mean?

When the officer is not convinced the citizenship applicant has met the number of days for residency they can issue either of these and ask to provide evidence.
CIT 0171 - Residency Questionnaire
CIT 0520 - Request for Supplemental Evidence

 

[000111222]

Hello folks,
I am looking to start this topic for people in similar situation. I would like to discuss the things relevant to us. For example,
Is it worth to move to Canada? What are the pros and cons?
What is your current situation (PR application-wise)? Do you have any questions or concerns that you want to discuss?
What kind of issues that are faced during application process, FBI PCCs, WES Evaluation, IELTS, Employment Letters, POF etc. and common solutions?
If we get accepted, how do we handle the transition?

I'll start by providing my own experience here. Feel free to respond to any/all questions listed above, or something new, that I haven't thought of.

I'm relatively well settled in US, good job (consulting), family with a kid, and in my early 30s. I have an approved I-140 is 2015 under EB2, which means I can expect to get green card between 5-20 years(!).
I have started the application for Canada PR for the following primary reasons:
- Get some sort of stability with immigration status. Compared to always having to worry about most recent H1 application status, visa stamping, immigration arrival ques. etc.
- Get a better quality of life in Canada. I'm not very sure about this part. After all, I may be giving up better weather, economy, lower taxes etc.
- Get reunited with my parents quickly. As opposed to waiting 10+ years, if I wait for GC+Citizenship in US.
- Better political environment compared to US.

Given all the points above, I'm still not 100% convinced about making the move. But I have started the application anyways, and will cross the bridge when I get there.

I hope to hear your stories or input to my story.

RJ

I think you've made some good points. A better political environment is definitely a strong consideration given the way the world is evolving now. As for taxes, don't forget the US is one of the most onerous one on taxes. You are taxed even if you do not stay a day in the US once you have a GC/Citizenship and for career opportunities go and work in a different geography. Unless you stay in Texas, you have to pay state taxes so overall tax burden is anything but low. The highest marginal tax rate is quite high (I paid that for many years while in the US). Healthcare is broken in the US and expensive (Canada is much better). Also the path to a citizenship (and getting reunited with family) is materially shorter as you rightly note (in half a decade, your passport troubles could be entirely behind you). Economy is probably the only negative consideration about the move. Canada is nowhere near as strong or vibrant or innovative. But the right people can always manage to find or create good opportunities anywhere. Besides, the degree of difficulty would be lower as Canada would likely be a less competitive pool than the US. Also with NAFTA, you may be able to bypass the H1B queue and work in the US easily afterwards. So you wouldn't be giving up on the US completely.

 

[wonbinofchina]

Hello folks,
I am looking to start this topic for people in similar situation. I would like to discuss the things relevant to us. For example,
Is it worth to move to Canada? What are the pros and cons?
What is your current situation (PR application-wise)? Do you have any questions or concerns that you want to discuss?
What kind of issues that are faced during application process, FBI PCCs, WES Evaluation, IELTS, Employment Letters, POF etc. and common solutions?
If we get accepted, how do we handle the transition?

I'll start by providing my own experience here. Feel free to respond to any/all questions listed above, or something new, that I haven't thought of.

I'm relatively well settled in US, good job (consulting), family with a kid, and in my early 30s. I have an approved I-140 is 2015 under EB2, which means I can expect to get green card between 5-20 years(!).
I have started the application for Canada PR for the following primary reasons:
- Get some sort of stability with immigration status. Compared to always having to worry about most recent H1 application status, visa stamping, immigration arrival ques. etc.
- Get a better quality of life in Canada. I'm not very sure about this part. After all, I may be giving up better weather, economy, lower taxes etc.
- Get reunited with my parents quickly. As opposed to waiting 10+ years, if I wait for GC+Citizenship in US.
- Better political environment compared to US.

Given all the points above, I'm still not 100% convinced about making the move. But I have started the application anyways, and will cross the bridge when I get there.

I hope to hear your stories or input to my story.

RJ

Similar situation here. If you work for consulting, why don't you talk to your employer? They should be able to move you to Canada; it's shared pool anyway, no?