Permanent Residency to Canada, can I file in New york

OK

First, you can only apply from the US if you have legal status and have had that for at least one year. It you work on the ship it depends on whether you still keep your status in the US.

You do need a job offer first for the work permit.

Your potential employer has to apply to the government for what is called a Labour Market Opinion (LMO). What this entails is the government reviewing the job market to ensure that there is a shortage of Canadians to fill your job. You cannot take a job away from a Canadian. So, you have to have a skill, or work experience, in an area where Canada needs workers and there aren't' enough Canadians who have that skill or work experience.

If that's the case then the government will give the employer a positive LMO.

Then you can apply for the work permit.

You will need to prove your credentials and also need to undergo background, medical and criminal checks.

If all goes well you will get the permit.

Here's the webpage that has all the information you will need including the forms and information about the fees:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/index.asp

If you are here on a work permit for two years then you can apply for permanent residency under what is called the Canada Experience Class.

Here's the link for that webpage:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/index.as

You can apply for a visitor's visa while you are waiting for the application to go through but you have to be able to show the immigration officer at the border that you have strong ties back home or they may not let you in as they may think that you will not leave at the end of your visit.

Visitors are allowed in all the time while their applications are pending so it really depends on the facts.

If the C1-D visa is means you can be in the US lawfully then it should be OK.