Mhm

Hi Folks,

I've got a rather unusual one for you (at least I've never seen a similar
case in this group) and I'd like to hear your advice and suggestions.

I'm Austrian citizen and applied for a 12-month open work-permit through
SWAP. I came to Canada (Vancouver) on Feb. 11, found a company willing to
hire me on Mar. 10 and started working there on Mar. 17. (It's an IT
company; I'm holding a Master's Degree in Computer Science and I've never
worked in Canada before.)

We (my employer and I) have briefly discussed further employment (past Feb.
2004). And that's where I'd like to get some advice. What would be the best
route to pursue?

Right now I can't apply for PR, because I simply don't qualify! (I'm scoring
72 points assuming 16 for English.) So, I'd need 5 points for working 12
month in Canada or the 10-15 points for arranged employment. Anyhow, the
processing time would be far too long, I guess, to be finished anywhere near
Feb. 2004. -- BTW, what's the average time-line for Austrians at the
Austrian Embassy? (I've only lived in Austria till now.)

The two other options would be: (a) a new work-permit. How likely is HRDC
approval for someone in my situation? Will they take into account that I've
been working for that company for almost a year and that it will have a
negative impact on the company if they have to hire someone completely new?
(It's a rather small company, too.) (b) the BC provincial PR program. How
are chances there? Their web-site reads quite promising (for someone being
supported/sponsored by a company).

Of course these two approaches are completely different (PR vs. Visitor
Status). Ignoring that (for the moment), what would you suggest?

Thanks for your insights.

Regards,
-mhm

Kurakot

if you have employment authorization with current employer - why dont you
just have it renewed or extended for the same employer??





"mhm" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Hi Folks,
    > I've got a rather unusual one for you (at least I've never seen a similar
    > case in this group) and I'd like to hear your advice and suggestions.
    > I'm Austrian citizen and applied for a 12-month open work-permit through
    > SWAP. I came to Canada (Vancouver) on Feb. 11, found a company willing to
    > hire me on Mar. 10 and started working there on Mar. 17. (It's an IT
    > company; I'm holding a Master's Degree in Computer Science and I've never
    > worked in Canada before.)
    > We (my employer and I) have briefly discussed further employment (past
Feb.
    > 2004). And that's where I'd like to get some advice. What would be the
best
    > route to pursue?
    > Right now I can't apply for PR, because I simply don't qualify! (I'm
scoring
    > 72 points assuming 16 for English.) So, I'd need 5 points for working 12
    > month in Canada or the 10-15 points for arranged employment. Anyhow, the
    > processing time would be far too long, I guess, to be finished anywhere
near
    > Feb. 2004. -- BTW, what's the average time-line for Austrians at the
    > Austrian Embassy? (I've only lived in Austria till now.)
    > The two other options would be: (a) a new work-permit. How likely is HRDC
    > approval for someone in my situation? Will they take into account that
I've
    > been working for that company for almost a year and that it will have a
    > negative impact on the company if they have to hire someone completely
new?
    > (It's a rather small company, too.) (b) the BC provincial PR program. How
    > are chances there? Their web-site reads quite promising (for someone being
    > supported/sponsored by a company).
    > Of course these two approaches are completely different (PR vs. Visitor
    > Status). Ignoring that (for the moment), what would you suggest?
    > Thanks for your insights.
    > Regards,
    > -mhm

pkjmet

"kurakot" wrote in message news:...
    > if you have employment authorization with current employer - why dont you
    > just have it renewed or extended for the same employer??
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > "mhm" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Hi Folks,
    > >
    > > I've got a rather unusual one for you (at least I've never seen a similar
    > > case in this group) and I'd like to hear your advice and suggestions.
    > >
    > > I'm Austrian citizen and applied for a 12-month open work-permit through
    > > SWAP. I came to Canada (Vancouver) on Feb. 11, found a company willing to
    > > hire me on Mar. 10 and started working there on Mar. 17. (It's an IT
    > > company; I'm holding a Master's Degree in Computer Science and I've never
    > > worked in Canada before.)
    > >
    > > We (my employer and I) have briefly discussed further employment (past
    > Feb.
    > > 2004). And that's where I'd like to get some advice. What would be the
    > best
    > > route to pursue?
    > >
    > > Right now I can't apply for PR, because I simply don't qualify! (I'm
    > scoring
    > > 72 points assuming 16 for English.) So, I'd need 5 points for working 12
    > > month in Canada or the 10-15 points for arranged employment. Anyhow, the
    > > processing time would be far too long, I guess, to be finished anywhere
    > near
    > > Feb. 2004. -- BTW, what's the average time-line for Austrians at the
    > > Austrian Embassy? (I've only lived in Austria till now.)
    > >
    > > The two other options would be: (a) a new work-permit. How likely is HRDC
    > > approval for someone in my situation? Will they take into account that
    > I've
    > > been working for that company for almost a year and that it will have a
    > > negative impact on the company if they have to hire someone completely
    > new?
    > > (It's a rather small company, too.) (b) the BC provincial PR program. How
    > > are chances there? Their web-site reads quite promising (for someone being
    > > supported/sponsored by a company).
    > >
    > > Of course these two approaches are completely different (PR vs. Visitor
    > > Status). Ignoring that (for the moment), what would you suggest?
    > >
    > > Thanks for your insights.
    > >
    > > Regards,
    > > -mhm
    > >
    > >
    > >

Kuralot: A SWAP WP cannot be extended but he may be able to do so by
applying based on the Software Pilot project if he qualifies. This can
be done in Canada via Vegreville. Not enough info to say if he
qualifies. I think there are solutions to your problems. The first
step is staying temporarily in Canada the second is to stay
permanently.

Jim Metcalfe

Mhm

wrote:
    > Kuralot: A SWAP WP cannot be extended but he may be able to do so by
    > applying based on the Software Pilot project if he qualifies. This can
    > be done in Canada via Vegreville. Not enough info to say if he
    > qualifies. I think there are solutions to your problems.
    > Jim Metcalfe

Ah, right the Software Pilot project. What kind of information are you
looking for? I'm currently employed as Web-Software/Database Developer. So,
Software Developer-Services (NOC 9990.5) seems to be the most promising job
description. But do I really qualify? I've got no idea.

-mhm