Questions on Applying for Permanent Resident from USA

[anshulinpc]

Hi,

I am working in US on temporary working visa. I want to apply for Canada Permanent resident from US. I have been working as Software engineer and have around 5 years of experience plus 18 years of education including 4 years of engineering (Electronics and Telecommunication) and 3 years of Engineering Diploma (Electronics and Telecommunication). I have never been in Canada. I am single.

I was going through the Canada immigration site and came across the 67 passing marks criteria to be eligible for applying for PR. Here are my few questions:

1. As education is one of the criteria for those 67 passing marks, i have noticed there, they have mentioned more marks for a 3 yrs diploma (22) rather than a 4 years engineering (20). As i have done both, but my higher qualification was 4 years engineering. But i am bit concerned if i could get 22 marks for it as i have done diploma also.
2. The another step is language proof for English/Canadian if it is not your first language. I belong to India so my first language is not English/Canadian, but english has been my first language for my education. i am not sure if still i need to give IELTS test for getting the proof of languae proficiency.
3. Is it really required to have 67 marks to apply for PR?
4. I don't have any arranged employment in Canada and even not planning for it before getting the PR. Please suggest if it is fine.
5. I am not going through any lawyer in Canada for applying for PR but planning to file it by myself. What do you suggest the best way to go for it?

I would appreciate if you could please advise me on the above..

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
AS

 

[Leon]

2. Officially you are allowed to send other documents to prove your English knowledge but if English is not your first language, they usually end up asking for IELTS anyway so you might as well take it, also to make sure you don't overestimate your points for English

3. Yes, you do need 67 points. That is why they say on the website that you need 67 points.

4. There are 3 categories as seen at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who.asp, those are: you have an employment offer OR you are already in Canada for a year or more OR your occpation falls under a list of 38 most wanted jobs. I do not see software engineer on that list so you will need a job offer.

5. It's perfectly fine to file by yourself

 

[anshulinpc]

Hello Leon,

Thanks for your reply..just now i was reading a link and came to know that there is something called AINP program for US H1B and H3B visa holders to migrate in Canada. I also do have H1b with long term validity. can you please suggest me how can i use it to get the Canadian Resident status in Canada ASAP?

Thanks,

Regards,
AS

 

[Leon]

The link for that program is here http://www.albertacanada.com/immigration/campaigns/h1b.html but your occupation must be on the Alberta most wanted list which it is not. You can also apply for residency through AINP or other provincial nominee programs as a skilled worker if you have a job offer.

Your options basically are at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp as skilled worker (with a job offer), provincial nominee (with a job offer or possible certain provinces if you have family there) and Quebec skilled worker (no job offer but need to speak French).

 

[anshulinpc]

Hello Leon,

i think it is listed in the most wanted list but in some different terminology..there is one category listed: Natural and applied sciences and related occupations. under this category under skill level A: Computer and Information Systems Professionals and under skill level B: Technical Occupations in Computer and Information Systems. these 2 categories matches with my profile as i am an IT Professional. What you say?

Thanks,

Regards,
AS

 

[Leon]

Software engineer is not on the Alberta list but on the list you might possibly qualify for:

2133 Electrical and Electronics Engineers
2147 Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers)
2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants
2241 Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Or check the whole list at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/oup/abouplist.shtml and see if there is anything else. You can contact the AINP and ask them if you qualify. I don't know how strict they are on the occupation.

 

[anshulinpc]

i am not sure how do they differentiate Computer and Software engineers? Looks like i am fall into in following 2 categories at least:
2147 Computer Engineers (Except Software Engineers)
2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants

My engineering is in Electronics and telecommunications but experience is in IT on Oracle Apps. Even my title in US is Programmer analyst and in India it was consultant. I have working as Oracle Apps Consultant. I am very much confused, please suggest how to confirm it.

Thanks,
Regards,
AS

 

[anshulinpc]

Also, as most of the H1B holders from US are moving in Canada so i should be fallen in to those categories as US generally applies H1B to IT professionals.

 

[Leon]

You should compare your job duties to the description in the NOC list. The NOC list is at http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-CNP/app/index.aspx You can punch in the 4 digit codes for different jobs and see their descriptions or you can look for occupations by job title.

 

[zuzu]

With new rules in effect, the flow(rather overflow) of H1b visa holders from US would reduce. If you look carefully, Provincial immigration laws donot superseed Fedral guidelines. I think you have good chance to migrate under Electrical and Electronics Engg.

difference between a computer engineer and a software engineer is the duties they perform. A very vague differentiation I can give you is : computer engineer is someone who deals with hardware aspect of computer/networks. Software engineer only deals with programming aspect. In reality your job might overlap both but as long as you can prove through your job contract or job description signed by your Employer that your duties fall into the category of a computer engineer thats what you would get points for. Job Title could be deceptive.

 

[anshulinpc]

Hello Zuzu/Leon,

Thanks for your reply. But i have never worked on Electronics and telecomm..just my degrees are in this. I have been working as Oracle Apps technical consultant which can fall in "Information Systems Analysts and Consultants" --> "IT (information technology) consultant". I think i am fine with it..but my concern is my title in India says as "Consultant" but in US as "Program Analyst". I hope it would not create any problem.

One more suggestion:

Now as look like i will fall in "Information Systems Analysts and Consultants" category so the initial requirement has been satisfied to apply for PR. Please clarify me few steps like: when they require me to give them IELTS certificate (as my first language is not English)?? Is it required at the initial point of time while giving the application or later on?
I read about something related funds like for single it is 10,000 CAD, if is show them this much amount in my account, will it be fine?? If yes, then when do they ask for this funds proof?

Please suggest.

Thanks,

Regards,
Anshul singhal

 

[anshulinpc]

Also please suggest, whether i should go forward for Canadian PR or not?

 

[Leon]

If your job duties fit the NOC description for 2171 Information Systems Analysts and Consultants, you should go ahead and apply for the AINP. You just have to complete their little form, fax or email it and they will get in touch and tell you what else to send them. There are a couple of long threads here: http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/provincial-nomination-program-immigration-b6.0/ about the AINP h1b program. You should read them, maybe you will get some more information there.

 

[zuzu]

all the info you require should be in application kit and document checklist. btw proof of funds has gone up a bit its approx CAD$10,600 http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/funds.asp

 

[anshulinpc]

Hello Leon/Zuzu,

Could you please tell me the difference between AINP and PR? Does all the rules that apply for PR will be applicable to AINP also? or there they bit lenient for H1B holders in AINP? Can i start any my business in Canada if i want to after getting AINP?? Please suggest me where can i get the most information about AINP? I want to check whether AINP address my purpose to relocate to Canada?

Thanks,

Regards,
AS