Hi,

I graduated from a US college in May 2007. I am currently working in NY on OPT (1 year legal work authorization given to foreign nationals graduating from US colleges). I have received and accepted an offer from a Canadian employer. The employer is currently processing my LMO. I have the folllowing questions:

1. After I get a positive LMO, can I apply for the work permit at the Canadian consulate in New York or do I need to go back to my country of citizenship?

2. Once in Canada, can I apply for PR at the Buffalo, NY consulate or will I have to send my application to my country of citizenship?

3. I began my US job in Aug 2007 and will end it in Dec 2007. I will begin my Canadian job in Jan 2008. Will this one month lapse affect the 1 year work experience requirement for the PR application? If not, I'm hoping to apply for PR in Aug 2008 after exactly one year of work experience (at that time, I will meet all the other requirements for PR).

Since this matter is urgent, I will really appreciate a prompt response.

Thank you.