Just shy of enough points for EE - do I have any other non-sponsored options?

[TheMaze]

I'm just shy of enough points (430, where the floor seems to be about 450 now) for Express Entry, and while I'm applying, I'm not too hopeful. Do I have any other options without a job sponsoring me? Single, early 30's, college degree, but no prior Canadian work experience and no relatives in Canada. US Citizen, grew up near the border and have several friends in the area I would like to move to, if that counts for anything. Work in IT.

What I seem to be running into is many jobs don't want to sponsor me, so I can't get a job (or move to Canada). It seems this cycle would be much easier if I was already authorized to work in Canada. From the research I've done, it seems without Canadian work experience, this is basically a dead-end and hoping Express Entry comes through for me is my only hope - is that right? I'd ideally like to move to Toronto, and Ontario's PNP requires a job offer. Still looking at other PNPs and considering moving to another province for a few months if I get desperate and they have a PNP that will work for me, but so far haven't found anything too promising.

One of the things I've been considering exploring is trying to spin up a company in Canada, and hire myself through that company. Consulting in my field is relatively common, and I've owned a similar company in the States before. Is this an option?

Am I stuck until I get a job that will sponsor me?

 

[scylla]

Ontario's PNP does not require a job offer if you go through Express Entry. http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/en/pnp/OI_PNP_EE_CAPITAL.html Make sure you have an active EE profile and it was created after June 1st.

Creating a company and then trying to hire yourself through that company won't work. If it was that easy to game the system, everyone would do just that. The work permit will be refused.

Are your IELTS exam results as high as they could be? If not - take the exam again. Have you considered learning French to boost your score?

 

[TheMaze]

Thanks for pointing that out - somewhere along the way I must have gotten my wires crossed. I actually haven't gotten my scores yet (should get them Tuesday!) but I'm a native English speaker, and generally pretty good at English, so I likely did as good as possible. I actually took the CELPIP, but assuming I max it out, as far as I know it does not matter.

Re: French, I tried to learn it in high school and the words "miserable failure" come to mind. I don't see myself being able to learn enough to boost me over the threshold any time soon, and am basically trying to do this ASAP (currently unemployed due to layoff), so I would be better off spending the time looking for jobs I think.

 

[TheMaze]

Just to confirm, if I am applying as FSW, I do NOT need to have resided/worked in Canada in the past, do I?

 

[scylla]

Just to confirm, if I am applying as FSW, I do NOT need to have resided/worked in Canada in the past, do I?

Correct.

 

[TheMaze]

Correct.

You have no idea how happy you have made me today. Thank you.
A few more questions:
1. The PDF states:

Note: You may not apply directly to the Human Capital Priorities Stream. You must have received a Notification of Interest from Ontario through your MyCIC account before you can apply to OINP under this stream.

If I put down that I am interested in moving to Ontario in the EE application (and meet the other point criteria) is this automatic? Random? What triggers it.
2. How long after applying for the EE pool should I expect to receive the PT Notification?
3. Best I can tell, provided I meet the criteria, I pay my $1500 and nomination is guaranteed. This almost seems too simple - is that right?
4. The program mentions having a finite number of applications per calendar year, but makes it sound like they will refuse applications once this has been met. They seem to be still taking applications - does this mean that they have not hit their cap? Is there any reason I would want to wait till 2016 (instead of applying in 2015)?

 

[scylla]

It's not quite that simple. There's no guarantee you will be selected by Ontario. You have enough points if you have over 400 points - but this doesn't guarantee selection. Join the Express Entry section of the forum. This is where you'll find many threads discussing this immigration stream.