If you are working on a temporary work visa you are not an "immigrant". Your work visa provides you with a the right to work in the host country for the period of time and at the job specified on the visa. You cannot obtain a work visa for another country, unless you already have a job there. The description of the work, the name of the employer, and all your personal information is required on the visa application. The employer takes part in this process. It might be possible to renew or extend a visa if your employer made the request through the proper channels, but when the visa expires, you must leave the host country. If you wish to apply for immigrant status, you must apply through the proper channels and the fact that you had a work visa may not matter. Your application will be evaluated and you will be ranked against other applicants who applied during the same period. Your immigration application is scored, based on factors including age, marital status, number of dependents, education, skills, financial worth, and the need for persons within your skills category. All countries have immigration quaotas and only permit a set number of immigrants from any one country per year.