Permanent Residency FAQ

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 25-06-2015 3:52pm

Muahahaha wrote: »

Does anyone know approx costs for being successful at gaining PR by doing it yourself? Just got quoted approx €5k by a visa company here !

It cost me $1,540 total, including open work permit, processing fees and right to permanent residency fee, but mine was Spousal Sponsorship

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 25-06-2015 4:44pm

Just got my letter. I become a permanent resident this day next week!

Crann na Beatha · 25-06-2015 6:47pm

This post has been deleted.

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 25-06-2015 7:12pm

JT26 wrote: »

If your spouse sponsors you can you work if your company willing to give you a work permit?

If your spouse sponsors you you don't need a company to get you a work permit, unless you mean while the sponsorship is waiting to be processed? Basically the process is:

1) You're in Canada on a valid visa and work permit (IEC does not count for this as far as I know)
2) You do the sponsorship application and apply for an open work permit at the same time (cost of $1040)
3) Immediately, you've got implied acceptance, so it doesn't matter how long the process takes, you're allowed to stay and work in Canada on the exact terms you had on your current work permit
4) Once processing starts, they'll look after the open work permit first. You'll get this, and it's valid for 2 years. You can work for any company in Canada, and come and go as you please
5) Next you'll get a mail that they're processing your sponsorship application, followed by a request to go do a medical consisting of very basic checkup, blood test for HIV and syphilis and a chest X-Ray (cost of $90). Unless you've got something that's a danger to the Canadian public, you cannot fail the medical under spousal sponsorship, whereas you CAN under all other permanent residency applications (eg if you're overweight and considered a potential drain on the health system)
6) After the medical paperwork has been submitted (the doctor who did mine did all the filing herself), you'll get an email that your processing has completed and your nearest CIC centre will be in touch regarding an interview to finalize the process.
7) You'll get another mail about a week after that telling you where and when your landing interview is (this is the point I got to today)
8) Next is your landing interview, which isn't an interview at all. You and your spouse go along with 2 forms of ID each and proof of address, and you bring 2 permanent residency spec photos (they send you the info for that), and you get your PR approved there and then. Many landing centres also sort out your new SIN card there too, since you no longer start with a 9, and get a 5 instead
9) You're officially a permanent resident of Canada, but you have to wait about 6-8 weeks for your PR card to arrive in the mail

The alternative is that if you DON'T have a valid visa and work permit, you can apply but you cannot work while the application is being processed unless a company successfully gets an LMIA for you. Based on my experience from an inland application, you'll be waiting about a year for your open work permit to arrive at the end of the first phase. You cannot work in the country before that without due process being followed (a successful LMIA).

Another way is to apply from overseas. That used to be a lot faster, but apparently it's slowed down a lot now. The procedure is the same, once you're approved in principal you'll get your open work permit and can enter the country and work

Crann na Beatha · 25-06-2015 7:56pm

This post has been deleted.

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 25-06-2015 9:05pm

Whole thing costs about $1195 (I got tuat wrong twice earlier lol earlier and can't edit) as far as I can remember. That's for the sponsorship application, right to permanent residence fee and open work permit fee. You've to add on $90 for your medical down the line too though

The paperwork is really straightforward and should only take a day to get filled out, though you'll also need a garda cert on top of that so factor that into your time.

Apply for that now if you're planning on submitting the application in the next 3 months and save a bit of time

circular flexing · 25-06-2015 11:31pm

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker wrote: »

If your spouse sponsors

Spouse or common law partner

you you don't need a company to get you a work permit, unless you mean while the sponsorship is waiting to be processed? Basically the process is:

1) You're in Canada on a valid visa and work permit (IEC does not count for this as far as I know)

Why would IEC not count? The only thing with IEC is you do not benefit from implied status, but aside from that it's the same as any other work permit.

Another way is to apply from overseas. That used to be a lot faster, but apparently it's slowed down a lot now. The procedure is the same, once you're approved in principal you'll get your open work permit and can enter the country and work

You cannot get a work permit if you apply outland, it's only available if you apply inland, even after AIP.

There's a good wiki maintained on British Expats about spousal sponsorship.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spousal_Sponsorship-Canada

circular flexing · 26-06-2015 1:03am

Faith wrote: »

It took them 15 months to start processing your application?! Wow, that's slower than I expected!

That's for spousal sponsorship. From reading other forums it looks like they are processing Express Entry applications in about 4-5 months.

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 26-06-2015 1:10am

circular flexing wrote: »

Why would IEC not count? The only thing with IEC is you do not benefit from implied status, but aside from that it's the same as any other work permit.

Yeah I worded that quite poorly. Waiting times are currently listing as 25 months between phase 1 and phase 2, an IEC lasts 24 months. If you're on one and your application is in line with the projections, you will be unable to work or stay under your current terms of temporary residency.

Say you're on an IEC with 4 months left, I didn't want to give the impression that applying for PR will fix anything - you're not going to be able to work once that visa expires, and if you don't change your status to visitor before expiration, you're technically in breach of your visa terms which could cause further issues.

circular flexing wrote: »

Spouse or common law partner

Again, true, but he asked the question of if your spouse sponsors you, so I was just replying to that, rather than making any kind of blanket statement about all sponsorship types.

circular flexing wrote: »

You cannot get a work permit if you apply outland, it's only available if you apply inland, even after AIP.

That I did not know! For some reason I had assumed they were one in the same. Good thing I didn't go outland then :P

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 26-06-2015 1:11am

circular flexing wrote: »

That's for spousal sponsorship

And that was with a bit of queue skipping. Current processing times listed on the CIC site are 15 months just for initial assessment and an additional 10 months for background checks, medicals etc.

Tiddlypeeps · 26-06-2015 10:08am

I'm going through the express entry process at the moment. Almost ready to submit the application, just waiting on the education assessment to come back any day now. The application doesn't mention anything about garda assessment or medical checks, will I need to get these at some point? And if yes at what point are they usually needed?

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 26-06-2015 1:01pm

I've got no experience with the EE side of things, it came in long after I set the ball rolling on my own application, but if it's anything like the more traditional routes, you'll need both as part of clearance for entry.

On the medical side of things you need to tick to boxes; 1) you won't place excessive strain on Canada's healthcare systems (eg you've got an existing condition that is likely to require non-standard treatments down the line or can lead to more serious conditions, or your overall health is poor), and 2) you haven't got anything that could be a danger to the Canadian public (eg TB, ebola, HIV etc.). If you're healthy it's really nothing to worry about, but you have to have your medical done (if it's definitely needed) by a CIC approved physician, so you're pretty much boxed in there in terms of price and availability. I don't know for sure that it's needed, but I'd be surprised if they'd take the risk of handing over PR to someone without getting some kind of medical screening done first - not that everything they do makes sense.

The Garda cert may not be needed, it's possible they do the security checking themselves for EE, bypassing the need for the cert.

It's worth giving the CIC a call to find out for sure on both fronts, because it can take a few weeks to get that back from the Gardai, and the medical could have a waiting list. If you do, be sure to post whatever they say here for anyone else in the same boat though

circular flexing · 26-06-2015 3:53pm

Tiddlypeeps wrote: »

I'm going through the express entry process at the moment. Almost ready to submit the application, just waiting on the education assessment to come back any day now. The application doesn't mention anything about garda assessment or medical checks, will I need to get these at some point? And if yes at what point are they usually needed?

You will need to submit a Garda check at some stage during the process - it' probably best to apply for it now because it will take a few weeks to come back.

Tiddlypeeps · 26-06-2015 3:58pm

I did a bit more digging on the website and found out I will need both medical and Garada check. It doesn't say at what point they will be requested tho. I probably will put in for the Garda check now and leave off the medical check till it's requested.

How does one go about applying for a Garda check?

seachto7 · 02-07-2015 1:02pm

Anyone doing the EE from Ireland?

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 02-07-2015 6:55pm

I'm officially a permanent resident of Canada as of 15 minutes ago!

The landing "interview" consisted of being asked to confirm my address and that I hadn't been charged with any crimes here or abroad, before being issues my paperwork and new SIN.

Whole thing took 10 minutes

Tiddlypeeps · 08-07-2015 11:14am

Finally making progress on my express entry application. I found it hard to find info on what the process looks like so I'm posting about it here in case anyone else is as lost as I was.

I've applied from Ireland as a couple both with 6+ years experience in a sought after field having never lived or worked in Canada, with no relatives living there either.

You first need to create an express entry profile on myCIC. Once you fill in all your details (you need a language test and an educational assessment at this point) and hit apply it takes a couple of minutes to come back to you with a preliminary yay or nay. At this point it only filters out people who are outright ineligible, people who don't have a language assessment or don't hit the minimum requirements for a federal skilled worker etc. I filled it out slightly wrong the first time and when it comes back as ineligible it's clear as mud about why it failed.

Once I filled it out right it got back within a few minutes with a score for my profile and instructions to apply for job bank, which is kind of a state run recruitment website. Creating an account on job bank was pretty straight forward.

CIC got back to me a few minutes after completing the job bank profile saying I'm now in the pool of applicants. It warns that you should have any needed documents like police certs ready for when they issue you an invitation. Once you are selected from the pool you have 60 days to submit the official application with all relevant documentation.

You can also update your profile at any point if something changes and it'll update your score accordingly.

I've scored 443, the lowest they have accepted in previous rounds is 453. I didn't want to have to secure a job before being accepted but there is a good chance I might have to. I think a valid job offer adds about 600 points, so if you meet the minimum eligibility criteria and you have a job offer then you are pretty much guaranteed a place.

Make21 · 08-07-2015 11:26am

circular flexing wrote: »

You employer can submit an application for an LMIA. It will cost them $1000 and they have to prove that no Canadians can do the job.

The number of LMIAs issues has fallen by 75% since they tightened up the criteria last year so it's not as sure as it used to be.

You should definitely consider EE under CEC or FSW. However, without the LMIA (or a provincial nomination), you are unlikely to have enough points to be selected (depending on age, education etc..).

Thanks for this!

I really only want to stay an additional two years though - do you still think I should do the EE or just run with a LMIA type approach?

According to the CIC site a person can stay a maximum of 4 years on work permit. I have used 2 years so I technically should be "allowed" another 2 years (The IEC permit that is expiring in October) - my question is: What is the best way to get those additional 2 years?

My company will sponsor my for extension (and probably PR if I asked) - but I dont really want to ask them to commit to a PR sponsorship if I am not seriously thinking of taking up residency in the long term.

Any and all advice appreciated!

Thanks lads - you do a great job in here helping everyone out,

Fair play to you!

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 08-07-2015 12:06pm

If you work in a noc type 0 occupation there's no limit on how long you can stay

Make21 · 08-07-2015 12:26pm

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker wrote: »

If you work in a noc type 0 occupation there's no limit on how long you can stay

OK thanks for that, BUT I think the main point here is that I do NOT want to go down the PR route if I can avoid it.

I see no point wasting my companies time or taking up a PR spot that someone else would be glad of when I only intend staying for 2 more years.

I have to say, even the application process itself is very unclear on the CIC site.

I should have known it would be poorly explained considering how bad it was the time I applied for the IEC!

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 08-07-2015 2:36pm

I think then a regular LMO or whatever it's called these days would see you fine. I'm not au fait with the new EE side of things, but I did get an LMO once - it was processed pretty fast, cost the company $250 (at the time, it's now $1000 I think), and I presented that to immigration at my port of entry and was given a work permit tying me to that company for a year. You can get LMOs for up to 2 years, unless that has changed, so that would be the best way to go about it based on what I know. There's no PR application or anything like that involved.

Make21 · 08-07-2015 2:44pm

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker wrote: »

I think then a regular LMO or whatever it's called these days would see you fine. I'm not au fait with the new EE side of things, but I did get an LMO once - it was processed pretty fast, cost the company $250 (at the time, it's now $1000 I think), and I presented that to immigration at my port of entry and was given a work permit tying me to that company for a year. You can get LMOs for up to 2 years, unless that has changed, so that would be the best way to go about it based on what I know. There's no PR application or anything like that involved.

Thanks for this, it has helped clarify my own thoughts a bit - it gets a bit confusing on the CIC site....its pretty woeful!

I think I will go fown the LMIA (The new name for the LMO) route and see how it goes.

So I guess I need my company to do a LMIA first, before I myself apply for anything?

AS mentioned, I am finding the process a tad confusing!

Any input appreciated!

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 08-07-2015 5:14pm

Unless things have changed, ALL you need is your company to do the LMIA. Once that's done, if successful, they'll receive the necessary documentation, which you just need to present at a port of entry for your new work permit and visa. Absolutely nothing is needed on your part apart from crossing the border and returning to Canada with the new documentation. Again, with the caveat that that's unless things have changed. I believe Circular Flexing might have some more up to date information on this side of things than me - my last LMO was in 2013.

One very important thing to note is to make absolutely sure that the company looks for a 2 year permit, not a 12 month one, or you'll have to do it all again in a year

Make21 · 08-07-2015 5:18pm

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker wrote: »

Unless things have changed, ALL you need is your company to do the LMIA. Once that's done, if successful, they'll receive the necessary documentation, which you just need to present at a port of entry for your new work permit and visa. Absolutely nothing is needed on your part apart from crossing the border and returning to Canada with the new documentation. Again, with the caveat that that's unless things have changed. I believe Circular Flexing might have some more up to date information on this side of things than me - my last LMO was in 2013.

One very important thing to note is to make absolutely sure that the company looks for a 2 year permit, not a 12 month one, or you'll have to do it all again in a year

You sir, are a gentleman. Thanks for your help.

If anyone else is familiar with this process please comment, the more info I have the better!

Make21 · 08-07-2015 6:07pm

Make21 wrote: »

You sir, are a gentleman. Thanks for your help.

If anyone else is familiar with this process please comment, the more info I have the better!

Further to this - it seems like I WOULD have to apply for a work permit even after my company completes an LMIA successfully....

The twists continue!

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 08-07-2015 6:30pm

When I did it, the work permit "application" happens at point of entry, just like the POE process with the IEC, in that you arrive with all the paperwork, you're asked some questions, and you're given it there and then. It may have changed, but I didn't have to apply for anything as part of the LMO when I did it, that all happened as part of the process, since the LMO was issued to the company in question specifically pertaining to me being hired.

The recent changes they've made may well mean you need to apply too, but I'd be surprised if that's the case, given that the whole LMIA process is based around the CIC saying that YOU are allowed to be hired for that job (unless this has changed too... bloody conservatives)

Make21 · 08-07-2015 6:34pm

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker wrote: »

When I did it, the work permit "application" happens at point of entry, just like the POE process with the IEC, in that you arrive with all the paperwork, you're asked some questions, and you're given it there and then. It may have changed, but I didn't have to apply for anything as part of the LMO when I did it, that all happened as part of the process, since the LMO was issued to the company in question specifically pertaining to me being hired.

The recent changes they've made may well mean you need to apply too, but I'd be surprised if that's the case, given that the whole LMIA process is based around the CIC saying that YOU are allowed to be hired for that job (unless this has changed too... bloody conservatives)

I hope it IS like that!

Step 1 is definitely getting the company to do the LMIA....I will try and get that moving and that will give me time to figure out MY side of the application!

I will update this thread as and when I get info - may prove helpful to others in a similar situation.

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 08-07-2015 6:41pm

I'm sure someone will pop along at some stage later who's done it themselves, too

Make21 · 08-07-2015 7:04pm

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker wrote: »

I'm sure someone will pop along at some stage later who's done it themselves, too

Hopefully - I'd love to hear from someone who has done the "new" application!

Thanks again for your help.

circular flexing · 13-07-2015 12:41am

The process for LMIA is the same as LMO, just the name changed and they are being far more rigorous about granting LMIAs. Once you have the positive LMIA, just head for the border and you can get your permit there and then (assuming you have a passport from Ireland or a visa exempt country). One thing to look out for is that there's a new fee to be paid to CIC ($100) and you cannot get your permit without the receipt for this payment (this is in addition to the usual $155 work permit fee). You shouldn't have to do anything for the application.

Make21 · 13-07-2015 2:52pm

circular flexing wrote: »

The process for LMIA is the same as LMO, just the name changed and they are being far more rigorous about granting LMIAs. Once you have the positive LMIA, just head for the border and you can get your permit there and then (assuming you have a passport from Ireland or a visa exempt country). One thing to look out for is that there's a new fee to be paid to CIC ($100) and you cannot get your permit without the receipt for this payment (this is in addition to the usual $155 work permit fee). You shouldn't have to do anything for the application.

This is excellent news - thanks for this!

Another question that I stupidly forgot to ask earlier: Can I include my girlfriend on this? We are engaged so I guess "common law".

She too was on the IEC for the past 2 years.

Last thing I need is to go through this process only to discover that she can't stay/work!

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 13-07-2015 5:02pm

It SHOULD include your spouse as far as I remember

circular flexing · 13-07-2015 7:28pm

Make21 wrote: »

This is excellent news - thanks for this!

Another question that I stupidly forgot to ask earlier: Can I include my girlfriend on this? We are engaged so I guess "common law".

She too was on the IEC for the past 2 years.

Last thing I need is to go through this process only to discover that she can't stay/work!

Careful now - just because you are engaged doesn't automatically mean you are common law in the eyes of CIC. You need to show proof that you've been in a marriage-like relationship for at least a year. Usual way of proving this is a shared bank account or a lease agreement showing both names.

Assuming you can prove common law relationship, then she can apply for a work permit on the basis of your one

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=177&t=17

Make21 · 13-07-2015 7:31pm

circular flexing wrote: »

Careful now - just because you are engaged doesn't automatically mean you are common law in the eyes of CIC. You need to show proof that you've been in a marriage-like relationship for at least a year. Usual way of proving this is a shared bank account or a lease agreement showing both names.

Assuming you can prove common law relationship, then she can apply for a work permit on the basis of your one

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=177&t=17

Ah no bother there - have joint bank accounts, mortgage the works...have had them for years too.

Was aware of the definition of common law even though my post didn't really indicate that.

Thanks for the heads up though, appreciated!

Make21 · 21-07-2015 12:02pm

Hello again lads!

The plot thickens...and I'd appreciate some more advice:

If I apply for an LMO, it gets passed and I obtain a new 2 year work permit can I, if I change my mind/situation changes, still apply for Express Entry at some point in the future?

e.g. If I get a new 2 year work permit and one year form now decide I would actually like to do Express Entry, am I still eligible to do so?

I am just concerned that by *not* applying for Express Entry now that I am being short sighted....as it stands I am just getting my company to do an LMO....

As always, any and all input greatly appreciated!

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker · 21-07-2015 2:20pm

Yes I believe you can apply for EE in that case

newwan · 25-07-2015 2:35am

I am applying to do postgraduate medical training in canada. Does anyone know anything about the visa or perm residence status required for that?

Make21 · 06-08-2015 1:00pm

Update on my previous posts.

My job is currently being advertised as per the requirements for the LMO.

Assuming I get a positive assessment, what are my next steps? I am a little confused as to extending the work permit to cover the time it will take to process EE.

Specifically - does anyone have any idea which form I should be using to get a new work permit that will cover me for the 6 months or so it will take for EE to be processed?

Jeez - this is some complicated stuff and the Canadian government websites dont make finding information easy!

Thanks in advance lads, you are all very forthcoming and helpful with information and it is GREATLY appreciated.

circular flexing · 06-08-2015 4:11pm

Once you get the positive LMIA, you can go to the border and get your new permit on the spot.

You can apply to CIC for the permit, however it will take much longer to process.

Make21 · 06-08-2015 4:18pm

circular flexing wrote: »

Once you get the positive LMIA, you can go to the border and get your new permit on the spot.

You can apply to CIC for the permit, however it will take much longer to process.

Thanks for this, in the unlikely even I bump into any of you lads there will be pints bought! (unless you happen to be wearing name badges with your boards username I find that unlikely though!)

I am applying for the "dual intent" LMIA so I *think* that makes things a little easier...

It's all so unclear though, there is so much contradictory info on the Canadian government sites plus Express Entry etc has been introduced too so some of the info is outdated etc...

IrishIrish · 25-08-2015 7:48pm

Does anyone know what NOC Class a Fund Administrator comes under? Any google result seems to show 'Other Financial Officers (NOC 1114-A)' but when you look at the examples within that category it doesn't really seem accurate.

irlcad · 22-09-2015 11:21pm

If you have a full time permanent job already in Canada, do you still need an LMIA to apply for EE? If yes and the company wont do it, are we completely screwed?

circular flexing · 23-09-2015 1:53am

irlcad wrote: »

If you have a full time permanent job already in Canada, do you still need an LMIA to apply for EE? If yes and the company wont do it, are we completely screwed?

You need an LMIA to get 600 points. You don't need an LMIA if you already have enough points to get an invitation to apply. For reference, the cutoff point for the last draw was 450 points.

irlcad · 23-09-2015 2:51pm

circular flexing wrote: »

You need an LMIA to get 600 points. You don't need an LMIA if you already have enough points to get an invitation to apply. For reference, the cutoff point for the last draw was 450 points.

Thanks for that...I just found a calculator on CanadaVisa dot com. What kind of scores could a native speaker hope to get in IELTS? What I'd love to know is can scores of 8.5 or 9 only be gotten by geniuses?!

Tiddlypeeps · 23-09-2015 3:03pm

irlcad wrote: »

Thanks for that...I just found a calculator on CanadaVisa dot com. What kind of scores could a native speaker hope to get in IELTS? What I'd love to know is can scores of 8.5 or 9 only be gotten by geniuses?!

I am a native speaker, I felt like I struggled to keep up in the tape test because you only hear it once before you have to answer questions on it and I felt like at times it was deliberately trying to catch you out by misleading you with answers. I'm crap at writing essays and felt my essay was pretty weak. I still got a 9. My partner took the piss in the essay section (I could have killed him after when I found out) and he still got an 8.

I strongly recommend downloading a sample test just to have an idea of the format so you aren't thrown off on the day (particularly for the tape test as it's fairly unforgiving), but if you are a native speaker then you really shouldn't have any problems getting high marks.

irlcad · 23-09-2015 3:26pm

Tiddlypeeps wrote: »

I am a native speaker, I felt like I struggled to keep up in the tape test because you only hear it once before you have to answer questions on it and I felt like at times it was deliberately trying to catch you out by misleading you with answers. I'm crap at writing essays and felt my essay was pretty weak. I still got a 9. My partner took the piss in the essay section (I could have killed him after when I found out) and he still got an 8.

I strongly recommend downloading a sample test just to have an idea of the format so you aren't thrown off on the day (particularly for the tape test as it's fairly unforgiving), but if you are a native speaker then you really shouldn't have any problems getting high marks.

Thanks very much, this is great info to have. Our estimated total EE score is 460, based on getting 8 in the IELTS all around...it might give us the courage to go for the PR card after all instead of just a temporary extension. So heartbreaking when youre already there, already working, already have friends and facing an exit because you cant get your hands on the right documents. Thanks again all

Tiddlypeeps · 23-09-2015 3:50pm

irlcad wrote: »

Thanks very much, this is great info to have. Our estimated total EE score is 460, based on getting 8 in the IELTS all around...it might give us the courage to go for the PR card after all instead of just a temporary extension. So heartbreaking when youre already there, already working, already have friends and facing an exit because you cant get your hands on the right documents. Thanks again all

Scores as low as 450 have come up in a few rounds to date and they are talking about increasing the rate they accept people via EE so you shouldn't have too much trouble getting it.

We are stuck at 445

We would rather not have to go the LIMA route as we don't have any work lined up and it will limit our options with who will deal with us. We don't really want to go till next year anyway tho, so we are happy enough for now to sit and wait for an invite.

Does anybody know if it's possible to get the 600 LIMA points if the spouse of the person listed as the main applicant gets an offer?

circular flexing · 23-09-2015 4:06pm

irlcad wrote: »

Thanks for that...I just found a calculator on CanadaVisa dot com. What kind of scores could a native speaker hope to get in IELTS? What I'd love to know is can scores of 8.5 or 9 only be gotten by geniuses?!

If you are in Canada, I would recommend the CELPIP test instead - it's all done on computer whereas the IELTS one is pen/paper. A native English speaker should have no difficulty getting high marks on the test - just download and practice the sample tests and don't race through the test, take your time and read each question carefully.

If you are on 460 now, I would schedule the test asap, as nobody really knows which way the points are going to go.

circular flexing · 23-09-2015 4:07pm

Tiddlypeeps wrote: »

Does anybody know if it's possible to get the 600 LIMA points if the spouse of the person listed as the main applicant gets an offer?

Why can't the person who got the LMIA be the main applicant? I don't think you can transfer points like that.

Tiddlypeeps · 23-09-2015 4:27pm

circular flexing wrote: »

Why can't the person who got the LMIA be the main applicant? I don't think you can transfer points like that.

Neither of us have LIMA at the moment. We already have the application submitted and we are in the pool waiting. I don't think you can change who the main applicant is after it's submitted. We are both equally qualified and in the same field so we pretty much drew straws for who to put as the main applicant. If we end up having to go the LIMA route it would be handy if either of us getting work would effect the application, I assume that's not possible tho, but said I'd ask just in case.

Permanent Residency FAQ

Comments