Hi,
I am currently on a 1 year post-grad work permit, which expires July 2005. I intend to apply for my Landed Immigrant/PR status. According to the self assessment kit on the CIC website, I would have sufficient points to do so, if taking my 1 year work experience into consideration. Here is my question:

1. If I put in my application now (Feb 2005) stating that I have 1 year work experience, would that be acceptable (considering that technically, I would have the 1 year experience when my permit expires in July 05)?

2. I was a Resident Assistant for 3 years during my undergrad program. Does this count as work experience? If not, does this count towards anything at all? Would it help if I provide proof (letter from the department head, certificates, etc)?

Thank you.

In response to your questions:

1. Applicants are expected to fulfill minimum requirements at the time of submission of an application. The approach you describe is risky therefore, as it could result in refusal of the application in the case that the applications is paper-screened before you complete one full year of experience.

2. Immigration authorities will not typically count more than one full time activity during a given period of time. If you were a full-time student, therefore, they would not typically consider part or full time experience gained at the same time. The exception in this scenario would be academic co-op programs in which the full time education and employment are typically conducted during separate periods of time.

In addition, it would be necessary to determine if the work that you had performed during that time exceeds the minimum National Occupational Classification skill-level requirements for eligibility.