Hi there,

My name is Satish and I've recently moved to Canada on a temporary work permit. My wife has accompanied me on a visitor visa.

Now, all that I want to know is:

1. Can I apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (under highly skilled labours category) while I continue to work in Canada?

2. If yes, is there any waiting period before I file my application?

Cheers,
Satish

You can apply for PR status while working in Canada. Such a case would be submitted to a visa office abroad and would be subject to the delays of that office (usually a minimum of 1 year).

Thanks for your quick response David.

So can I take it that I'm free to apply for a PR status immediately and I need not wait for any specified amount of time?

I also understand that granting PR status might be delayed only due to the processing time at the visa office abroad.

I assume that I've to file my application with Buffalo office.

Please correct me if I've understood otherwise.

There is no minimum delay prior to applying for PR. Submission of that case to the RPC in Buffalo is an option.

Hi David,

My work permit is valid until Aug'07. I'm planning to file my application for Canadian immigration with Buffalo office in Jan'07. Assuming that my application would be approved no earlier than Mar'08, I've the following questions.

1. Will my immigration application create any problem when I file an application to extend my work permit while I'm still working in Canada?

2. If I want to leave Canada temporarily for my home country I will require a visa to re-enter Canada. Will my immigration application create any problem if I apply for a temporary visa office in my home country?

Thanks in advance for your response.

--Satish

You can apply for permanent resident status and temporary status at the same time (dual intent). Doing so will not harm your application for permanent resident status. However, an application for temporary status could be affected if an immigration officials is of the opinion that you do not intend to leave Canada upon the expiration of your temporary status.

Thanks a lot for your responses David. I've one last question.

Given that my work permit is valid until Aug'07 and I'm filing my PR application in Jan'07, will my PR application influence my application to extend my work permit which I'm planning to do sometime in Jun'07?

--Satish