Advice from gurus before applying for immigration

Canada Immigration Forum (discussion group)


 
       
Subject: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration
  I have been in US for 5 years on H1B. My I-140 for green card has been approved. But recently severe visa retrogression has happened for my EB3 category. I will not be able to get EAD/AP for may be many years and green card is almost a dream now. Also my H1 job is with a bad desi company. I am feeling very insecure. Returning back is also not an option for me. For a backup, I am thinking about applying for Canadian immigration.
Please gurus advise me on the following questions that I have:

1. If I apply today, how long would it take for me to get Canadian residency through Buffalo?

2. Is there any chance that I ´ll get a software job in Canada? I heard horrible stories from people. I am MCSD.Net with 8+ years of solid experience.

Please express your opinions. Is it worth?
I ´ll really appreciate.

[14-10-2005,17:17]
[***.146.91.6]
Qwer
sw (in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
skilled worker applications have to meet 67 points and pass the IELTS.

usually it takes around 2 years... but varies.. i´m family class so maybe some SW´s here have some input for you.

goodluck!

[14-10-2005,17:25]
[**.26.89.84]
ejspet
(in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
Hi Qwer,

I am not a guru but I can tell you my actual experience..I am also in IT, H1B visa and have applied as Skilled worker..

How long: I am in my 20th month of processing, so far I am done with the interview, so I can say probably I am 75-80% done. Length of processing depends on a lot of things...sometimes background/security check takes a long time (up to more than a year) depending on the countries you´ve lived in. If you will decide to apply, make your application documents "doubt-free"...your inital goal is to have the interview waived because that can cut 6-8 months in the processing for some cases.

2. Chances of software job: I guess everyone has the chance in this world...unfortunately I cannot really give you a definite answer on this but given your years of experience and field, I can say that you have a pretty good chance. However, you should have an open mind on all the possibilites...i.e. long period of unemployment/underemployment.

IS IT WORTH IT? that is subjective...it depends on the person..only you can answer for yourself...for me...yes it is worth it.

Here is a link to take the self-assessment test to see if you will meet the 67 passing points.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/index.html

goodluck on your decision... :)

[14-10-2005,17:52]
[**.83.183.160]
Joe05
thanks (in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
Thanks friends. I really appreciate your kind responses. I meet 67 points and shall take IELTS soon.
I have got answer for my first question. I would really appreciate if some one already in Canada in the field of software (present or past) could give me advice on my second question.
I have checked http://www.workopolis.com/ and it shows lot of jobs in .Net. But I do not know how much is the competition?
Thanks in advance for anyone taking their time to advise me.

[14-10-2005,18:07]
[***.146.91.6]
Qwer
(in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
Where are you from originally? Where in Canada do you want to move to?

The IT industry is VERY slow at the moment, though it is a bit better than a few years ago. Everyone and his dog has a computer certificate these days, and employers will almost always hire someone with a Canadian certificate and experience over someone who doesn´t have it. I would look in Ottawa for IT, because I know Vancouver is really burnt out as far as jobs go. If you heard horrible stories, take note, because there are more negative ones out there (as far as computing jobs go) than positive ones, for immigrants.

You could apply now and see if you get it in a few years... but then, if you´re only applying for ´backup´, you might be taking away a visa from someone who desperately wants to come to Canada as a first choice (there are visa limits or quotas per year). So think about it wisely. Canada is not just America Part 2, you should only move here if you want to live here more than in the US and not out of desperation.

[14-10-2005,18:14]
[**.81.21.164]
VJ
cool down (in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)

I have 5 years solid US experience. Additionally, my certification is Microsoft Certified Solution Developer - Early Achiever in .Net obtained while in the US.

My question is: Is US experience not considered equivalent to Canadian experience in Canada ?

I do not want anyone to get offended that I want to apply just as a ´back up´.
I am just exploring my options right now and in this process I am requesting help from people who have more knowledge about Canadian job market than me. The reason is simple: I want to make an informed decision with your help.

[14-10-2005,18:45]
[***.146.91.6]
Qwer
Advice from gurus before applying for immigration (in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
If you are feeling insecure in the US and cannot return back to your home country then go ahead and apply tomorrow. The pass mark of 67 may change and you may not qualify (if you do not know, in the past the pass mark was 75 and lot of people could not even qualify).

Good luck.

George

[14-10-2005,19:26]
[***.197.233.170]
George
(in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
you have made several statements. 1- your current situation is not stable and there is doubt about a green card any time soon. 2- you do not want to go home to your home country.

if 1 and 2 are true- what are your options. What are your priorities. if you want to walk into Canada with the same ease that you walked into the US with your HB1, you will be disappointed. There are hundreds just like you. I am not trying to be rude. Just wanting you to be realistic.

Is it worth it? depends what you want.

[14-10-2005,21:26]
[***.181.198.246]
anon
(in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
>My question is: Is US experience not considered equivalent to Canadian experience in Canada ?


Well, say you´re an employer in Canada, born and raised here. And you had to choose between 2 people, one having a US MCSD, with experience in the US, and one with a Canadian MCSD from somewhere that an employer has likely been to or knows about, e.g. Ontario, Vancouver, even Calgary. Which would you pick? Yes, maybe you have more international (US) contacts, but you don´t know what life is like in Canada, how the systems work, and that´s a cause for concern to employers because for all they know, they hire you and you don´t like it, you leave the country and go home or back to the US (esp. as US pays better). It´s easier to trust someone psychologically from your own country because you know they know how it works and won´t just run off. That´s the way it goes here. And as ´anon´ said, above, you can´t just walk into Canada, it will take at least 2-3 years and even then you´re not guaranteed a job.

[14-10-2005,23:06]
[**.81.21.164]
VJ
Qwer : email me. I just applied and i can help you (in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
Qwer,
Iam on H1 too and just applied. email me if u need more info: MuniVenkata AT GMAIL.COM

Thx,
Muni

[15-10-2005,12:44]
[**.142.156.96]
Muni
(in reply to: Advice from gurus before applying for immigration)
QWER,
Ypou are blocking chances of people like us who wants to really live in canada. People like you just land in canada and move to US till the green card process is over.
By the way, you are talking as if you have any choices. Only 2 countries in the world accepts immigrants with open arms that too with a possibility of job. One is US and canada. So you have little choice about your decisions. Good luck .

[15-10-2005,21:31]
[***.100.70.212]
Boss