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Updated Federal Skilled Worker program allows 55,300 new applications in 2013

Nov 2, 2012 | Immigration, In the News, New Laws, Processing Times, Skilled Workers

In an attempt to clear up the backlog of Federal Skilled Worker applications, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) issued a pause on all new Federal Skilled Worker applications as of July 2, 2012. This pause prevented thousands of federal skilled workers from applying for immigration to Canada as it requires foreign workers to have a qualifying job offer or to qualify under the PhD stream.

Many actions have been taken by the government in order to fix the backlog of Federal Skilled Worker applications and allow more federal skilled workers and their families to immigrate to Canada. The Action Plan for Faster Immigration of 2008 was the first step taken by CIC to limit the number of federal skilled worker applications to only occupations which were a priority. CIC took further action to limit the federal skilled worker applications in 2010 and again in 2012 with the Jobs, Growth and Long-Term Prosperity Act. The final step to put a stop to the backlog problem was to place a pause on all new federal skilled worker applications.

Now, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has announced a new plan which will allow for faster processing times for federal skilled worker applications as well as the possibility of faster processing times for additional immigration programs. In an effort to attract federal skilled workers from around the globe and promote economic growth, CIC will be introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) system for federal skilled workers. With this system in place, federal skilled workers and their families will have the option of immigrating to Canada and having their immigration applications processed in a period of 12 months or less. This is a huge improvement over the old system which made federal skilled workers wait for years, some as long as eight years, to have their applications processed.

As a result of this new immigration program and the steps taken over the last few years, the backlog of federal skilled worker applications is expected to be cleared by the end of 2014 which will allow new applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program to be processed as they are received. This new system for processing applications – “a just in time system” – will bring between 53,500 and 55,300 Federal Skilled Workers and their families into Canada. Minister Kenney has stated that “Immigration plays a vital role in our country’s long-term prosperity. By improving our economic immigration system, we can ensure that Canada is competitive on the world stage.” Allowing federal skilled workers to enter the work field more easily and quickly will contribute to Canada’s economic growth and allow Canadian employers to fill shortages in high skill occupations. This new plan is excellent news both for Canada and for federal skilled workers wishing to immigrate to Canada.

More information regarding this new system along with the final regulatory changes and the new selection criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will become available later this year.

We would like to hear from you. Tell us what you think about this new immigration system for federal skilled workers and their families. If you are a federal skilled worker or you know anyone who may benefit from this new plan, we urge you to share, tweet, like, and comment on this issue.

For more information about immigration to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, contact our office to speak with a certified immigration consultant and find out if you qualify as a federal skilled worker.

Canada invites young Irish to work in Canada for up to two years

Oct 10, 2012 | How to find Employment, In the News, Skilled Workers, Work Permits

Last weekend in Dublin, an international job fair dubbed The Working Abroad Expo, attracted close to 80,000 people in search of work outside of Ireland. Canada has opened the doors to the Irish with a change in the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

In an attempt to increase the numbers of educated Irish workers immigrating to Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) plans to allow entrance to nearly double the number of young Irish, between ages 18 to 35, by the year 2014. Canada has seen a huge loss in Irish immigrants to Australia and New Zealand in the last few years; a loss that immigration minister Kenney would like to see reversed.

The IEC now allows young Irish workers to come to Canada with an open work permit for a period of up to a year. Currently, this program can be utilized twice, though the plan is to change it to a one-time 24 month program at the start of this coming year. The only downside to this plan is that there is no guarantee for these workers to remain in Canada once their open work permit expires. Those whose skill level does not allow for them to apply for permanent residency are left with no other options but to return home or find someone who can sponsor them in Canada (a spouse or common-law partner). On the other-hand, for those skilled workers who wish to leave their native land in search of better opportunities in Canada, this program gives them an opportunity to do just that.

To learn more about the International Experience Canada (IEC) program we encourage you to contact our office to speak with an immigration adviser.  If you are already in Canada with an open work permit that was issued for only one (1) year, you may be eligible to extend.  Those who are in Canada and would like to apply for permanent residence, contact our office today.

Canada Increases Number of Skilled Workers to be Admitted by 10,000!

Dec 4, 2011 | Immigrate to Canada, Immigration, New Laws, Skilled Workers

Next year, Canada will be increasing the Federal Skilled Workers Program.  Canada will be admitting up to 10,000 more skilled immigrants than in past years.

The increase in the number of workers will help address the demands of the job market, and help decrease years’ worth of pending applications to the program, the government has said.

The current priority of the government is still the economy. Minister Jason Kenney of the Ministry of Immigration and Multiculturalism says that the government recognizes the value of immigration to the Canadian labor market. Unlike other countries, Canada recognized the importance of the contributions made by skilled immigrants, because they add to Canada’s competitiveness in the international arena.

The government expects levels of immigration to remain fixed between 240,000-265,000, although during the next year, a big chunk of this number would be allowed to enter Canada under the Federal Skilled worker program. Just for this year alone, just fewer than 50,000 immigrants were allowed entry into Canada through this program, and that number is expected to increase to just fewer than 60,000 in 2012.

New studies done by the government show that the Federal Skilled Workers Program is successful, with 89% of immigrants who were allowed entry through this program being employed within 3 years, and 95% of those who hired them being very happy with the services rendered.

Minister Kenney says that the government will keep on exerting effort to improve the immigration system, so that it would be more responsive and adaptable to the needs of the labor market.  Recently, the Canadian government has announced many changes to the immigration system. Keep an eye on our blog to learn about these as they happen.  Of course, if you are interested in immigrating to Canada through the Skilled Worker Program, please give us a call so we can help you file your application today!