May 3, 2013 | Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, New Immigration Programs, New Laws, Permanent Residency, Policies and Problems, Skilled Workers
The Federal Skilled Worker Program, one of Canada’s most sought-after immigration options, is now being re-opened to allow foreign workers, in 24 qualifying applications, to apply for immigration to Canada. This program, which allows immigrants to apply for permanent residence based on a points system, was closed to anyone that did not have a job offer or meet the criteria of the Ph.D. stream since July 1, 2012. New applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will be accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) beginning on May 4, 2013.
With the re-opening of the Federal Skilled Worker Program comes a new set of rules and requirements. Professionals who wish to apply for Canada immigration through the new Federal Skilled Worker Program must be sure that they meet the new criteria. Do not assume that you qualify now just because you may have qualified in the past. The points system that was previously in place has been amended to put more emphasis on language and age. But before you can assess your points, you must be sure that you fit into one of the following categories of the new Federal Skilled Worker Program:
- You are working in one of the 24 eligible occupations for a minimum of one (1) year;
- You have a job offer from a Canadian Employer;
- You are eligible to apply under the Ph.D. stream.
If you meet the criteria for one of these three options, you will then be required to meet the minimum eligibility requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Your eligibility will be assessed based on your language abilities, age, education, work experience, arranged employment, and adaptability. Points are awarded in each category with a maximum of 100 points available and a minimum of 67 points required in order to qualify for the program.
Another major update of the Federal Skilled Worker Program is in the way the points are assessed. With the new emphasis being on language and age, some people who qualified under the old Federal Skilled Worker Program may not qualify for the new program.
Research has shown that individuals adapt better in Canada if they are proficient in at least one of the country’s two official languages – English and French. As such, more points are now being awarded for language (the same is true for age as younger people have shown better adaptability as well as having more years to be in the workforce). In order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must be able to prove your proficiency in one of the two languages. To do this, you must take and pass one of the following language tests:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
Each test will assess your language skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. You must obtain the required score for one of these tests in order to apply for immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
In addition to language skills, your education will be assessed using the new Educational Credential Assessment (ECA). If you wish to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program using educational credentials from an institution outside of Canada, you will be required to get an ECA. This process will assess that the foreign education you have is equivalent to the required education in Canada for your field of work. For example; if you are an engineer with an engineering degree from a foreign institution, your foreign engineering degree would have to be equivalent to the Canadian engineering degree in order for you to work as an engineer in Canada. In some countries, less education may be required for certain occupations. Therefore, you may be ineligible based on your education if you do not meet the minimum requirement for your occupation in Canada. Confused? You don’t have to be. Contact our office to speak to a qualified immigration consultant who can help you to understand the new system and determine whether you qualify to apply for the new Federal Skilled Worker Program.
For those applicants who are eager to get started, you may get a jump-start on your Federal Skilled Worker application by starting the process of getting an ECA now, as long as you meet all of the other requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program. CIC has designated organizations which can provide ECA reports for immigration purposes. If you would like to get started on this process and/or just get an idea of how your foreign credentials will be recognized in Canada, contact us today to get started. Our immigration consultants can assist you in obtaining an ECA and preparing your file early so that your application is ready to submit when the program opens. It is important to note that application forms for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will be updated upon the opening of the program so having an immigration consultant working on your case will prevent you from submitting outdated or incorrect forms.
Applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker Program should also note the cap of 5,000 applications – including a maximum of 300 applications for each of the 24 eligible occupations. With this cap in place, you do not want to risk having your application returned over a small clerical error as you may not have another chance to submit your application. With the CIC cracking down on even the tiniest of errors (not to mention large errors or missing information), it is always a good idea to have more than one pair of eyes reviewing your application. More than just another pair of eyes, our immigration consultants have a trained eye for even the most minute details. We have years of experience in dealing with these types of applications and the constant changes of the immigration system. With an immigration consultant by your side, you can rest assured that your application will be completed accurately and efficiently so that your time and money do not go to waste on a returned or refused application.
Don’t miss this opportunity to obtain your permanent residence in Canada. Applications are already being submitted and the doors may close on you if you do not act quickly. Contact us to get started right away and be ready when the new Federal Skilled Worker Program opens.
Dec 21, 2012 | Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, New Laws, Permanent Residency, Processing Times, Skilled Workers, Work Permits, Working In Canada
A new program has been introduced to allow skilled workers working in Canada to continue working as they wait for their permanent residence application to be processed. The new Bridging Open Work Permit will benefit skilled workers who have applied for permanent residence under one of the following Canada immigration options:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
This program will allow you to receive an open work permit should your current work permit expire before you receive permanent residence in Canada. The Bridging Open Work Permit will prevent skilled workers from losing status and being unable to work in Canada if their application for permanent residence is still in process and their work permit is about to expire.
Prior to the introduction of the Bridging Open Work Permit, Canadian employers would have to submit an application for a Labour Market Opinion and the skilled worker could submit a request for extension of their work permit only if the LMO was issued. The Bridging Open Work Permit will prevent “unnecessary disruption in the lives of newcomers who are already contributing and successfully integrating into the Canadian economy,” declares Minister Kenney. Open work permits are already available in other immigration streams and this new Bridging Open Work Permit gives foreign skilled workers a chance to apply for permanent residence with less worry of processing times.
If you are a skilled worker who is currently working for a Canadian employer and interested in submitting an application for permanent residence, you may take our free assessment to see which of the Canada immigration options will best meet your needs. If you have a work permit that is close to expiring and would like more information about the Bridging Open Work Permit, you should contact us to speak to a qualified immigration consultant.
Share your opinions on the new Bridging Open Work Permit by commenting on our blog or visit us on Facebook and Twitter to share, like, comment or tweet about the Bridging Open Work Permit.
Dec 20, 2012 | Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, Skilled Workers, Working In Canada
Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney has announced new regulations for the Federal Skilled Worker Program which will begin taking new applications starting May 4, 2013. In an attempt to create jobs and promote economic growth, the government of Canada has made improvements to the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The majority of the changes made to the Federal Skilled Worker Program are based on research which has shown the two most important factors for successful adaptation into Canada to be language and age. As such, the following changes have been made to the Federal Skilled Worker Program in an attempt to ensure adaptability of new applicants:
- The minimum language proficiency requirement has been increased so that language is now the most important factor.
- Emphasis has been put on the age of new applicants and younger applicants will benefit from this update to the Federal Skilled Worker Program. It is known that younger applicants will adapt more easily in Canada and will spend more time working and aiding in Canada’s economic growth.
- The new Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) will ensure that points awarded for education will reflect the true value of the foreign credentials.
- Changes made to the arranged employment process will make it easier for Canadian employers to hire workers for in-demand occupations.
- Applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will be able to obtain more adaptability points for the language ability and Canadian work experience of their spouse.
With all of the above changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, qualified applicants interested in Canada immigration will have the chance to apply and obtain status in Canada faster and easier. If you are interested in immigration to Canada, call our office for more information about the Federal Skilled Worker Program or any other Canada immigration program. Our qualified immigration consultants will answer any of your questions and assist you in deciding which immigration option is the right one for you.
Dec 12, 2012 | Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, New Immigration Programs, New Laws, Permanent Residency, Skilled Workers, Working In Canada
Among the many program updates being made for the new year, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is changing the requirements of the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) to make it easier and faster for qualified applicants to obtain permanent residence in Canada. Changes to the program will allow skilled workers to apply for the Canadian Experience Class with only 12 months of Canadian work experience instead of the 24 months which was previously required. Skilled workers applying for Canada immigration through the Canadian Experience Class will therefore be able to become permanent residents of Canada a year sooner than before.
In addition to these changes for skilled workers, the Canadian Experience Class will now be easier for international students who are applying for permanent residence. Students applying for immigration to Canada through the Canadian Experience Class are required to earn one (1) year of work experience prior to their application for permanent residence. In the past, students were required to earn this experience within 24 months of graduating. Part of the changes to the Canadian Experience Class will now allow students 36 months in which to obtain their work experience.
With these changes to the Canadian Experience Class, CIC expects to accept close to 10,000 applications for permanent residents. This is a huge number compared to previous years. The Canadian Experience Class is growing quickly and the government is intent on making it easier for skilled workers to transition to permanent residence status. These changes will be put in place on January 2nd.
If you are a skilled worker or an international graduate who is interested in immigration to Canada, you may contact our office to speak with an immigration consultant about the Canadian Experience Class. You may also take our free assessment to find out if you qualify for this Canada immigration program. We urge you to share your thoughts with us and to spread the good news to any of your friends and family who may be affected by these changes. Call us today for more information on the Canadian Experience Class and/or to get answers to any of your Canada immigration questions.
Dec 11, 2012 | Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, In the News, New Immigration Programs, Skilled Workers, Working In Canada
In an ongoing effort to improve Canada’s economic health and fill gaps in skilled trades, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has developed a new program for foreign workers wishing to immigrate and work in Canada. The Federal Skilled Trades Program, which will be launched at the start of the new year, will “help address serious labour shortages in some regions of the country, and support economic growth,” according to Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. This new Federal Skilled Trades Program is designed to replace the outdated Federal Skilled Worker Program and make it easier for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. Minister Kenney has added that “The Federal Skilled Trades Program will help transform Canada’s immigration system into a fast and flexible system focused on jobs, growth and long-term prosperity.”
While the specifics of the Federal Skilled Trades Program have not yet been released, we do know that there will be minimum requirements that one must meet in order to be eligible for immigration to Canada under this new program. Applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program must show that they have the skills and experience required to be successful in Canada.
You may be eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Program if you meet the following four requirements:
- You must have a job offer from a Canadian employer or a certificate of qualification from a province or territory which attests to the fact that you are qualified and available to work upon entry to Canada;
- You must meet the basic language requirements for Canada immigration;
- You must have a minimum of two years of work experience in your trade; and
- You must have the necessary skills and experience as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC B) system.
Applicants for the Federal Skilled Trades Program must be skilled in a trade which is in high demand and for which Canadian employers are unable to find Canadians to fill the gaps. Some of the occupations which will be included in the Federal Skilled Trades Program include electricians, welders, heavy-duty equipment mechanics, pipefitters, and others. More specific details regarding the Federal Skilled Trades Program – including a list of occupations that qualify for the program – will be made available at the launch of the program on January 2nd, 2013. We recommend that you contact our office after January 2nd to speak to an immigration consultant and get more information about the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Our consultants can assess your situation and tell you whether you qualify for this or any other Canada immigration program.
As always, we wish to hear from our readers about this new plan. Do you think the Federal Skilled Trades Program will benefit Canada’s economy? Are you a skilled tradesperson who is interested in immigration to Canada and would like to know if you qualify? We urge you to share your opinions on this new program and to share this news with your friends and family on Facebook, twitter, or any other social network. Comments posted on our blog are monitored closely but if you have specific questions, we recommend that you contact us directly or take our free assessment (after January 2nd) to see if you meet the eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. We look forward to hearing from you!
Dec 4, 2012 | Immigration, In the News, Permanent Residency
All applicants who have applied or are planning to apply for immigration to Canada under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) are required to pass a language proficiency test. This is also true for individuals who wish to obtain permanent resident status in Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers Program or various Provincial Nominee Programs.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has amended the language requirements for Canada immigration which will now allow CEC applicants to take the CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) instead of the previously required IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Applicants now have a choice between taking either the IELTS or the CELPIP General Tests. All applications for the Canadian Experience Class which are submitted with the CELPIP General Test results which were written on or after the starting date of November 23, 2012 will be considered for eligibility into the CEC program.
By allowing Canada immigration applicants a choice between the two tests, the CIC is making it easier to fulfill the language requirements of each immigration program. Often the waiting time for the IELTS can be a problem for applicants or they may have difficulty finding a location near their home where they may take this test. By opening up the option of taking the CELPIP exam instead, individuals who are applying for Permanent Residence may be able to complete and submit their application faster with more choices for when and where to complete the language requirement exam. With 17 locations across Canada, the CELPIP tests are readily available for those who may be unable to find a testing centre for the IELTS in their area. Finding a testing center close to you is easy, whether you choose to take the IELTS or the CELPIP. Our office can guide you in finding the right place to go and ensuring that you complete the proper test for the program under which you are applying.
If you are interested in applying for immigration to Canada under the Canadian Experience Class and would like more assistance in your application and/or need help locating a testing center to complete your IELTS or CELPIP exams, you may contact our office to speak with a licensed and knowledgeable immigration consultant. With the guidance of an immigration consultant, you will be able to make the choice of which test is best for you and we will provide you with the information you need to get started on your immigration application.
Can-Am Immigration is interested in hearing your opinions on every change made by the Canadian government. Tell us what you think about the addition of the CELPIP General Test to the CEC language proficiency test requirements. If you are currently in the process of immigration to Canada under one of the programs that require the test, we would love to hear from you. If you have already taken either the IELTS or the CELPIP, please share your thoughts on the test (was it difficult for you? do you believe one or the other of these two tests may be better? how do you feel about the language proficiency requirement for permanent residence?) You may also wish to share this new information with your friends and family who may be interested in applying for immigration to Canada. You may comment or share this story directly from this website to Facebook, Twitter, Google +, and/or any of your other social networks.
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