Planning for Perm. Residency in Canada

[on_h1b]

Currently I am in USA on H1B visa.(in 6th year already and want to leave the current company)

With GC process retrogressed in USA, I am thinking of applying for GC in Canada and then for Canadian Citizenship.

1. Can somebody tell me how long does it take for GC and then citizenship in Canada?

2. Will I be able to work in USA without H1 if I get Canadian GC or citizenship?

Thanks in advance.

 

[sapota1]

For Canadian PR process details. visit www.cic.gc.ca also the permanent residency forum for Canada in this website. I think the PR process for Canada takes about 1-2 years from start to final step. Right now the residency rule is that you need to stay 2 years out of every 5 years to maintain Canadian PR after obtaining it, which means that you can potentially continue to work in US after getting ur Canadian PR for 3 years.

For Canadian citizenship, again www.cic.gc.ca is the official website with the official timelines. - have lived in Canada for at least three of the four years before applying;

Once you apply for citizenship also there is some backlog in certain places in Canada and there is some wait to actually get your citizenship.

2. You need to have a valid visitor visa to visit and work visa to work even after obtaining a Canadian PR to enter and work in the US. You do not need a entry visa but still need a TN visa under NAFTA or any other work visa to work in the US after Canadian citizenship.