Mr. Portus, a licensed Electronics and Communications Engineer, applied under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. His application was filed November 2014. During that time, he was still working in Papua New Guinea. Their PR Visas were issued March 2016.
Distance is never a problem really. We can help you process your application even if you are abroad. It is your determination that matters most. He waited for more than a year but as they say, It is difficult to wait, but it is more difficult to regret. He sure did not regret waiting. :-)
He will soon be moving to Canada with his family.
It was actually Canadian Immigration Consultancy who also processed his brother's PR Visa application. It is not mandatory to hire the the services of an Immigration Consultant/Lawyer. But if you opted to hire one, be sure that your consultant is an Authorized Representative.