This federal immigration category, which became law in 2008, allows temporary residents of Canada, either student or foreign worker, can apply for permanent resident status, in Canada, without requiring them to leave Canada, and apply from their country of nationality, as is the case with the majority of immigration applications.
Firstly, these persons need to maintain their temporary resident status.
The foreign worker with a valid work permit needs to have worked in Canada 2 years, full-time, in a skilled work area (managerial, professional, or skilled and technical).
The student with a valid student permit needs to have completed a 2 year program of study in Canada, and then, needs to have worked in Canada , 1 year, full-time, in a skilled work area, similar to the foreign worker, described above, with a valid post-graduate work permit.
They need to have proficiency in English or French.
This immigration application also includes the spouse or common-law partner, as well as dependant children.
The processing visa office is Buffalo, U.S.A, and all persons need to be admissible to Canada, before final approval e.g. no criminal convictions, health problems, or security issues, etc.
Once confirmation of permanent residence is issued, the student or worker can either attend at a Canadian Port of Entry, or a local immigration office in Canada, to be given permanent resident status, in Canada.
This immigration application is of great benefit to students and workers in Canada, since it allows educated and skilled persons, to live and contribute to the Canadian economic and social life, without them leaving Canada, after study or work is completed.