+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Can I apply for Provincial Nomination while living in the USA?

frotenacs

Hero Member
Feb 8, 2011
227
20
India
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Dear All:

I am an aspirant for the Canadian PR, like most of us here. I was living in Ontario until March' 2010 to finish my doctoral degree. After graduation I got the work permit, which is valid until May' 2012, but I never utilized my post-graduation work permit. I moved to NY, USA to work as a postdoc researcher. I will be working here until May'2012, which means I can never use my post-graduation work permit.

I have decided to apply for PR and have started getting together all the required documents. I plan to submit my application in another 6-7 weeks. My question is:

Should I apply in the federal skilled worker category or Provincial Nomination (Ontario) program? The fast track nature of Provincial Nomination is enticing. But, can I apply under provincial nomination while living in the USA? Or, in order to be eligible I must reside within Ontario?

I appreciate your feedback.

thanks,
frontenacs
 

frotenacs

Hero Member
Feb 8, 2011
227
20
India
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Thanks @ BCguy.

I don't have a job offer from anywhere in Ontario yet. Currently I work in the USA. I plan to apply for PNP, which will make me hire-worthy in future :)

I am still under 2 years after finishing my PhD. According to cic website it makes me eligible to apply for PNP within Ontario. Please let me know if my assumption is wrong, in that case I will send my application under federal skilled worker class :(

I am still struggling to figure out the best option for me, federal skilled worker vs. PNP.

thanks,
frontenacs
 

App

Star Member
Dec 11, 2010
90
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo, USA
NOC Code......
2121
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
02-03-2011
Doc's Request.
Included with application
IELTS Request
Over all 7.5 (Included with application)
File Transfer...
not yet
Med's Request
not yet
Med's Done....
not yet
Interview........
not yet
Passport Req..
not yet
VISA ISSUED...
not yet
LANDED..........
not yet
frotenacs said:
Thanks @ BCguy.

I don't have a job offer from anywhere in Ontario yet. Currently I work in the USA. I plan to apply for PNP, which will make me hire-worthy in future :)

I....................... federal skilled worker vs. PNP.

thanks,
frontenacs
In my opinion you have the following choices.
1. In order to apply under skilled worker you should have 1 yr full time or equivalent employment that is presently considered under skilled worker category.
For your situation if your employment belongs to the presently considered skilled worker category you may apply under that category.
2. As you have completed a doctoral degree in Canada, you may apply under canada experience class (requires two yrs of full time study in Canada).

3. You may apply under PNP....that depends on Ontario provincial nominee program.

For any case you need to submit IELTS general original score report at the time of sending documents.

Hope this helps
Good luck
 

frotenacs

Hero Member
Feb 8, 2011
227
20
India
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
@App
Thanks.. Until now I was under the impression that there are only two categories for me, federal skilled worker and provincial nomination. I was not aware of your second point (experience class). I have way more than two years of Canadian graduate school experience. At the moment I am bit biased towards provincial nomination program, for the only reason that the application processing is shorter.

IELTS.. is there any way this can be waived? by any means?? i mean a letter from my past school, or current employer, or something else...
 

App

Star Member
Dec 11, 2010
90
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo, USA
NOC Code......
2121
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
02-03-2011
Doc's Request.
Included with application
IELTS Request
Over all 7.5 (Included with application)
File Transfer...
not yet
Med's Request
not yet
Med's Done....
not yet
Interview........
not yet
Passport Req..
not yet
VISA ISSUED...
not yet
LANDED..........
not yet
frotenacs said:
@ App
Thanks.. Until now............................................... from my past school, or current employer, or something else...
No other choice for IELTS.
You have to take it and send the original score report along with your application or else your application will be returned to you as incomplete.

All the best
 

App

Star Member
Dec 11, 2010
90
3
Category........
Visa Office......
Buffalo, USA
NOC Code......
2121
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
App. Filed.......
02-03-2011
Doc's Request.
Included with application
IELTS Request
Over all 7.5 (Included with application)
File Transfer...
not yet
Med's Request
not yet
Med's Done....
not yet
Interview........
not yet
Passport Req..
not yet
VISA ISSUED...
not yet
LANDED..........
not yet
frotenacs said:
@ App
Thanks.. U.................... processing is shorter.
I don't have much idea on PNP.
I hope you might not be eligible for Canada experience class too. See the following links.
Check the category of Canada experience class regarding your eligibility if you plan to go with it.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/apply-who.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/graduates.asp
So u have to go with either skilled worker or PNP category.
Sorry for the confusion.

Make sure your eligibility before applying to any of these two categories.

All the best.
 

rjessome

VIP Member
Feb 24, 2009
4,354
214
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
Read the following Guide. It will tell you what you need regarding PhD Graduates for Ontario PNP.

http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/csc/@oipp/documents/document/oi_app_guide_phd.pdf

As a PhD Grad, you do NOT need to take the IELTS test.

You can also apply from the US as long as you do it within 2 years of the date you graduated.

You know that to qualify as a federal skilled worker, you must have at least 1 year of experience within the last 10 years in one of the occupations listed here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp

If you apply as a federal skilled worker, you DO have to take the IELTS test.

CEC requires 2 years of study + 1 year of work experience on a PGWP.
 

frotenacs

Hero Member
Feb 8, 2011
227
20
India
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
@rjessome

Thank you so much for the info. Now I am certain that PhD grads don't need to provide IELTS score :)
Although, I booked a test date for IELTS at Philly. I would cancel that soon and see if I can get some refund on my money.

I still have 6 months to apply for Ontario PNP, before I run out of that 2 year post-graduation buffer period.

Do you have some ballpark figure on the whole processing time for Ontario PNP (until you get the PR card)?

thanks,
frontenacs
 

rjessome

VIP Member
Feb 24, 2009
4,354
214
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
frotenacs said:
@ rjessome

Thank you so much for the info. Now I am certain that PhD grads don't need to provide IELTS score :)
Although, I booked a test date for IELTS at Philly. I would cancel that soon and see if I can get some refund on my money.

I still have 6 months to apply for Ontario PNP, before I run out of that 2 year post-graduation buffer period.

Do you have some ballpark figure on the whole processing time for Ontario PNP (until you get the PR card)?

thanks,
frontenacs
Well it's a two part process. First you must apply and receive your nomination from Ontario. I don't know exactly how long that takes for PhD grads but would estimate somewhere between 2 to 4 months. Then, once the nomination is received, you apply for PR through Buffalo. You are looking at another 8 to 12 months before PR is granted.
 

frotenacs

Hero Member
Feb 8, 2011
227
20
India
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
I am applying for Ontario PNP. I am on the verge of submitting my nomination form and documents to Opportunities Ontario. Just wondering, there is no mention of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) anywhere on the application form.

I live in the USA. From the FBI website the processing time for PCC is typically 16-20 weeks. I would like to submit my nomination forms as quickly as possible. But, just wondering do I need to send PCCs at this point along with other documents to Opportunities Ontario?

thanks,
frontenacs
 

rjessome

VIP Member
Feb 24, 2009
4,354
214
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
frotenacs said:
I am applying for Ontario PNP. I am on the verge of submitting my nomination form and documents to Opportunities Ontario. Just wondering, there is no mention of Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) anywhere on the application form.

I live in the USA. From the FBI website the processing time for PCC is typically 16-20 weeks. I would like to submit my nomination forms as quickly as possible. But, just wondering do I need to send PCCs at this point along with other documents to Opportunities Ontario?

thanks,
frontenacs
No PCCs right now. You will send those to CIC when you apply for PR after you receive the nomination from Opportunities Ontario.
 

frotenacs

Hero Member
Feb 8, 2011
227
20
India
Category........
Visa Office......
CPP-Ottawa
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
A question on Proof of Savings/Revenues (Accumulated funds and expected revenues for 12 months following nomination)...

Due to some personal reason, I had to remove substantial amount of money from my bank account. So my bank balance (an american bank) as of now is not $11,086 - which happens to be the savings amount to be shown for 1 person nomination. I am falling short by a couple of thousands, which I can make in next 3 months. Wondering, how bad it is going to influence my nominations if I submit my application with this 'lack' of funds? I really want to send my application in another 2-3 weeks. Thanks much.

-frontenacs
 

okwama2002

Star Member
Mar 6, 2011
72
0
Yes it is possible to get provincial nomination in the US but U need to be sponsored by a relative or a company. I have never been to Canada and I got a Manitoba LOA . I was sponsored by a canadian cousin. Does anybody know how long it takes for the buffalo consulate to process provincial nominees.
Thanks
 

rjessome

VIP Member
Feb 24, 2009
4,354
214
Job Offer........
Pre-Assessed..
okwama2002 said:
Yes it is possible to get provincial nomination in the US but U need to be sponsored by a relative or a company. I have never been to Canada and I got a Manitoba LOA . I was sponsored by a canadian cousin. Does anybody know how long it takes for the buffalo consulate to process provincial nominees.
Thanks
Every province has it's own rules regarding Provincial Nominee Programs. Most don't offer sponsorship through family although Saskatchewan and Manitoba do. Processing times are listed here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm/provincial.asp#west