4 ms·

Just a year? that is awesome. What about other restrictions? Do you need to be 'tied' to a employer, like in US? Can you start companies? (not possible on H1-

by vijayr 17y ago

Just a year? that is awesome. What about other restrictions? Do you need to be 'tied' to a employer, like in US? Can you start companies? (not possible on H1-B)

mustpax 17y ago
Check out the Canadian Gov't website on skilled employment: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp You don't have to be in Canada, or work for a Canadian company, to apply. There are multiple criteria for determining who is eligible, if you have an employer sponsor it makes it easier to qualify. But if you have decent amount of personal savings, a Bachelors degree, a couple years of experience you can qualify without one. The temporary work permit, the Canadian equivalent of the H1-B, is more restrictive. You are tied to your employer, probably can't start your own company. But this is completely orthogonal to your permanent residence application. You can do your thing, work outside Canada until your permanent residence is granted, then fly over and start up.
- artaak 17y ago
  I do not like to quench the excitement about Canadian immigration opportunities for skilled workers, but you guys really need to check the recent "improvements" in that process. Namely, the list of skilled workers has been recently (Feb, 2008) reduced to a couple dozens professions (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp#list http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-ins...). In particular, you really need to be a Cook or a Woodcutter with one year experience, to qualify now. Just my $0.02.
  - mustpax 17y ago
    Thanks for digging that up. But being someone who recently went through this process, let me clarify some things to the best of my ability (in other words IANAL). This list of occupations only matters if you are applying for residency without securing employment in Canada beforehand. Not altogether unusual, but remember this is a prerequisite to H1-B too.
nearlyacanuck 17y ago
The only restrictions are you can't vote in federal elections and can't join the army. To keep PR you have to be resident for 3 out of every 5 years, but after 3 years you can get Canadian citizenship. You can work for anyone or no-one, start your own business or continue working for a foreign company. You are subject to intensive interogation by Canadian immigration every time you enter the country. You will be grilled for several seconds on topics such as 'how are you?' and 'did you have a good flight?' - other than that it's the same as entering America.
- ajju 17y ago
  LOL. That's awesome :D As an immigrant / entrepreneur trying every thing I can to legally work for my startup full time in the US, I'll seriously consider Canada if I fail.
  - ijnouibiu 17y ago
    But remember you will be subject to their socialist universal free healthcare system.
    - potatolicious 17y ago
      Wonderful! :) I still don't get why the word "socialist" has such a negative connotation in the USA.
      - TriinT 17y ago
        Because Americans react to some words in a Pavlovian manner. It's a way of turning their independent thinking capabilities off. For instance, white collar criminals who engage in predatory activities always use the words "free market" as a shield. If you keep attacking them of wrongdoing, you are automatically labeled "anti-American", "socialist", "communist", "liberal" or whatever. What is more interesting is to see people who are exploited and raped on a daily basis by the so-called "free market" to defend it so passionately as though they benefitted from it. Reminds me of a homeless bum I once saw in NYC... some girls wearing Obama stickers walked by and the dude started shouting "he's a fucking commie!!!!" I didn't know whether to laugh or weep. BTW, the dude was black and a Vietnam veteran. Don't get me wrong, I am all for free market, but we don't have one in the U.S. and we never had one. The country is run by the cartels, for the cartels. Whoever points a finger is bashed, sometimes even invited to move to France. It's quite hilarious, really... and also sad.

by vijayr 17y ago

Just a year? that is awesome. What about other restrictions? Do you need to be 'tied' to a employer, like in US? Can you start companies? (not possible on H1-B)

mustpax 17y ago

Check out the Canadian Gov't website on skilled employment: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp You don't have to be in Canada, or work for a Canadian company, to apply. There are multiple criteria for determining who is eligible, if you have an employer sponsor it makes it easier to qualify. But if you have decent amount of personal savings, a Bachelors degree, a couple years of experience you can qualify without one. The temporary work permit, the Canadian equivalent of the H1-B, is more restrictive. You are tied to your employer, probably can't start your own company. But this is completely orthogonal to your permanent residence application. You can do your thing, work outside Canada until your permanent residence is granted, then fly over and start up.

artaak 17y ago
I do not like to quench the excitement about Canadian immigration opportunities for skilled workers, but you guys really need to check the recent "improvements" in that process. Namely, the list of skilled workers has been recently (Feb, 2008) reduced to a couple dozens professions (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp#list http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-ins...). In particular, you really need to be a Cook or a Woodcutter with one year experience, to qualify now. Just my $0.02.
- mustpax 17y ago
  Thanks for digging that up. But being someone who recently went through this process, let me clarify some things to the best of my ability (in other words IANAL). This list of occupations only matters if you are applying for residency without securing employment in Canada beforehand. Not altogether unusual, but remember this is a prerequisite to H1-B too.

nearlyacanuck 17y ago

The only restrictions are you can't vote in federal elections and can't join the army. To keep PR you have to be resident for 3 out of every 5 years, but after 3 years you can get Canadian citizenship. You can work for anyone or no-one, start your own business or continue working for a foreign company. You are subject to intensive interogation by Canadian immigration every time you enter the country. You will be grilled for several seconds on topics such as 'how are you?' and 'did you have a good flight?' - other than that it's the same as entering America.

ajju 17y ago
LOL. That's awesome :D As an immigrant / entrepreneur trying every thing I can to legally work for my startup full time in the US, I'll seriously consider Canada if I fail.
- ijnouibiu 17y ago
  But remember you will be subject to their socialist universal free healthcare system.
  - potatolicious 17y ago
    Wonderful! :) I still don't get why the word "socialist" has such a negative connotation in the USA.
    - TriinT 17y ago
      Because Americans react to some words in a Pavlovian manner. It's a way of turning their independent thinking capabilities off. For instance, white collar criminals who engage in predatory activities always use the words "free market" as a shield. If you keep attacking them of wrongdoing, you are automatically labeled "anti-American", "socialist", "communist", "liberal" or whatever. What is more interesting is to see people who are exploited and raped on a daily basis by the so-called "free market" to defend it so passionately as though they benefitted from it. Reminds me of a homeless bum I once saw in NYC... some girls wearing Obama stickers walked by and the dude started shouting "he's a fucking commie!!!!" I didn't know whether to laugh or weep. BTW, the dude was black and a Vietnam veteran. Don't get me wrong, I am all for free market, but we don't have one in the U.S. and we never had one. The country is run by the cartels, for the cartels. Whoever points a finger is bashed, sometimes even invited to move to France. It's quite hilarious, really... and also sad.