Requesting some quick advice please

[Lynxmax]

Hello everyone,

I am a computer programmer from India and am planning to settle in Canada as soon as possible. I checked the CIC website for FSWP and PNP but I am left more confused and with less hope. FSWP page says that the cap for computer programmers is closed and the new version of skilled worker program won't open till Jan 2015. The Nova Scotia (NSNP) seems open but the page says they have already received a huge number of applications.

Can someone please advise me what options do I have to immigrate to Canada? Are there any other provinces that are currently accepting or going to accept applications in new future without a job offer? Am I better applying for a student visa and then applying for a PR?

Thanks,
Max

 

[Leon]

If you manage to get a job offer, you'd have a lot more options to apply.

If you want to enter through a student visa, you would need to apply for a program and get accepted. You have to show that you have at least enough to pay your tuition and around $10,000 for living expenses. After 6 months of studies, you can get an off campus permit which would allow you to work up to 20 hrs. a week during the semester or full time during holidays. After graduating, you can apply for a post grad work permit. If you take a 1 year course, you'd get a 1 year permit. That is a bit short to guarantee that you will have a way to immigrate. If you are in the right province and you get a skilled job right away and have a good employer, you might be able to apply under PNP. If you don't have that luck, you can apply under CEC but only if you manage to work a skilled job for 1 year. Therefore, it's safer to do a 2 year course in which case you can get a 3 year post grad permit.

 

[Lynxmax]

Thank you Leon for such a quick response.

I don't think I'll be able to manage to get a job in Canada from India. I have no contacts there. I have read a few posts where people got jobs by applying online but it took a couple of years. I am already 36 and am a bit desperate to move there as soon as I can.

If I have to go for a study permit, I too feel 2 yr course would be a safer option. Do Canadian universities usually provide funding for international students? I am eligible to apply for a graduate program and have good undergrad scores.

 

[scylla]

Unfortunately it's unlikely you will receive funding from Canadian universities to cover your studies and living expenses here if you plan on completing a Masters or post graduate diploma. Most scholarships are aimed at Canadian citizens/PRs. The one exception would be if you're coming here to do a PhD. In that case you MAY be able to secure funding that covers most of your expenses.

In most cases, international students who don't have enough money to cover their studies themselves secure a loan in their home country. I would encourage you to join the International Students section of this forum in you're interested in pursuing your studies in Canada and also read up on the SPP option.

However in general, you should expect that you will have to cover all/most of the costs of your education in Canada either through money you have in the bank or through loans in your home country.

 

[Lynxmax]

I checked the International students section and also a couple of university websites. Funding appears minimal for international students as you said. Study permit doesn't seem to be the right option for me at this point.

Please suggest any work related visa options that I can try.

 

[scylla]

Please suggest any work related visa options that I can try.

I'm not 100% sure what you mean by work related visa options. If you are asking about a work permit that will allow you to work in Canada temporarily (and possibly lead to PR), then you would first need to find an employer in Canada who is willing to offer you a job. That's the first step.

 

[Lynxmax]

I have applied for a few job positions online but haven't got any response. I have no contacts in Canada and I am a bit lost about how to find an employer.

 

[Leon]

The more positions you apply for, the better your odds of finding one. I have heard people say they applied for 100's of positions before getting one. It is harder when you have to ask the employer to get a work permit for you because most employers are not familar with, and shy away from that process. Educate yourself about LMO's and work permits so you can educate your potential employer.

 

[Lynxmax]

Thanks. Will try that.