For many Indian students in the United States who are currently on the optional practical training (OPT) period after completing their courses, the H-1B visa lottery earlier this year resulted in disappointment. Some students, who are approaching the end of their OPT, may now be considering the possibility of leaving the United States as their visa status is about to expire. Canada has emerged as a potential alternative for these students, offering opportunities for work and the chance to obtain permanent residency (PR) status.
“We see a significant opportunity here to address the current uncertainty in the United States (US). For Indian students who have completed their studies in the United States but are unable to secure an H-1B visa lottery, moving to Canada and obtaining permanent residency could be a viable option,” explains Kohinoor Dev Roy, a managed Canadian migration specialist (RCIC) at Objective North Movement Counseling, situated in Edmonton.
Indian students currently living in the United States have a number of options for moving to Canada. One option is to complete at least one year of post-secondary education in Canada, which makes them eligible for PR through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Alternatively, if they meet the education and work experience requirements, they might be eligible for PR through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). For PR through the CEC Indian students must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. “Work experience in the US may also be considered under certain circumstances. Indian students must possess work experience in a skilled occupation that is in high demand in Canada for the FSWP and PNP, as Dev Roy explains.
There are also expedited options available. “If an Indian student working on their OPT in the US has a job offer from a Canadian employer, they can apply for a temporary work permit in Canada. After gaining the necessary work experience, They can get an invitation to apply (ITA) for PR once they have the necessary work experience. Another choice is investigating intra-organization moves, where qualified representatives can be briefly moved to Canada to upgrade the board adequacy, grow Canadian commodities, and further develop seriousness in abroad business sectors,” says Harpreet Kaur, foreman at SPS Canada Inc, a migration consultancy firm in Toronto.
A few Canadian territories have tech pilot migration programs, with some focusing on medical services laborers. Along these lines, applicants can look for qualified occupations popular in various territories.
In many cases, it is possible for Indian students to transition directly from the United States to Canada to apply for PR without needing to return to India first. After completing OPT in the United States, it may be possible to relocate directly to Canada without first returning to India. But it’s important to make sure they have the right paperwork and meet the eligibility requirements,” Kaur says
The specific immigration program and each individual’s circumstances may affect the length of time required to obtain permanent residency in Canada. The CEC generally processes applications faster, and applicants may receive PR within six months of submitting their applications. On the other hand, processing times for the FSWP and PNP might be longer,” says Dev Roy. It can take anywhere from one to two years, depending on the chosen path and the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Pathways of moving to Canada from the US for Indian students on optional practical training
Source: SPS Canada Inc
- A few understudies are qualified to make their express section profiles for Canada and qualify under the government talented specialist program.
- They can likewise go to Canada on an understudy visa to join another course and later go for a post-graduation work license (PGWP) and thusly apply for PR on finishing the expected work insight.
- Indians who haven’t won the H-1B Visa lottery in the US have another option: Global Talent Stream. The GTS Canada is a part of the temporary foreign worker program (TFWP), which uses work permits to let Canadian businesses hire foreign workers to fill temporary skill and labor gaps. GTS, which was launched in 2017, aims to speed up and make it easier for businesses to recruit globally skilled workers. Employers and foreign workers alike can take advantage of this program’s expedited processing times, work permit exemptions, and dedicated service channel.
- Indian understudies wanting to move to Canada should be capable in one or the other English or French and should take a language capability test, like the IELTS or CELPIP, to exhibit their language abilities.
- In addition, they must comply with other requirements, such as security and health checks, and demonstrate that they have enough money to support themselves and their dependents.
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