u/Iam_Praneeth — reddlx

Hi everyone,

I’m currently relocating from the US to Vancouver on an internal transfer (ICT). I’ve already been through the H1-B cycle in the States and didn't get it, so I’m really looking for a more stable/permanent situation in Canada. I want to be independent of my company’s visa as soon as possible.

My Profile:

Education: Masters from a US university. I’m starting the WES process now.
Experience: 3 years of SDE experience in the US.
Current Offer: SDE2-equivalent role with a base salary of 125k+.
Language: Taking the CELPIP soon, aiming for a 9+ score.

A few things I’m trying to figure out:

BC PNP "High Economic Impact": I noticed recent draws targeting people with a $125k+ salary. Does this mean I’m eligible to register for the BC PNP the moment I land and have my work permit? Or do I need to wait for a specific number of paystubs?
Federal STEM Category: With my US experience and SDE background, should I just focus on the STEM-specific Express Entry draws? Are those generally faster than going through a provincial nomination?
CEC vs. FSW: Since my 3 years of experience is in the US, I assume I'd be in the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) pool initially. Is there a big advantage to waiting until I have 1 year of Canadian experience to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or is my current profile strong enough to get an ITA earlier?
Any "Gotchas"? Are there any specific documents or steps I should handle while still in the US that are a pain to do once I'm in Vancouver?

I’m just looking to get this done efficiently so I can focus on my work and life without the constant visa stress. Thanks in advance for any insights!