By: Ellen de Witt, CCIC, FCMI
Following our teleconference in June, I would like to again emphasize that Canada offers excellent, user-friendly Immigration programs for Immigrants from all backgrounds. In fact, Canada’s goal is to add nearly 300,000 new immigrants per year. Unfortunately, in years past, Canada was unable to meet this goal due to system backlogs. Therefore, as of November 28, 2008, Canada has implemented new ministerial instructions to alleviate backlogs and concentrate on finalizing applications for many immigrants, in a shorter period of time.
The most exciting change occurred with the Federal Skilled Worker Program. In this capacity, individuals whose occupation falls into the top 38 occupations in demand in Canada, would be eligible to apply for Permanent Residence in Canada, which will now be finalized by Citizenship & Immigration Canada within only 6-12 months.
This is a radical change from the several years of processing wait times that previously occurred, which caused individuals to seek immigration to other countries. Canada has recognized this and has implemented the new process to encourage Skilled Workers to once again consider Canada.
One of the most desired occupations include those in the medical profession, such as Doctors, Nurses (RNs and RPNs), Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Audiologists, Speech Pathologists, and Medical Radiation Technologists.
In order to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker program, a potential candidate is assessed under six (6) factors as follows:
1. Age
2. Education
3. Experience
4. Language
5. Arranged Employment
6. Adaptability
It is recommended that an applicant be between the ages of 21 and 49, possess at least 4 years of work experience and have a high level of proficiency in either the English or French language. The reason being is that if the potential candidate is older that 49, has less than 4 years of experience or is not highly proficient in English or French, points will be deducted from their final assessment score. However, if you have arranged employment in Canada, have a relative in Canada, have ever previously studied or worked in Canada or have a spouse with an educational background, you could receive additional points of assessment under the Arranged Employment and/or Adaptability factors, which would ultimately increase your final assessment score.
No two assessments are the same as each potential candidate is assessed individually, based upon all six of the selection factors set by Citizenship & Immigration Canada.
Also, in addition to those in the medical field, there are many other occupations which are currently in demand in Canada. The province of Quebec is launching its own accelerated and simplified immigration program for international students and specialized foreign workers who meet labor market priorities in the province – and there are new programs being introduced in Saskatchewan, as well, to better attract entrepreneur immigrants and skilled workers, and to provide them with enhanced settlement and integration supports.
So, If you have interest in immigrating to Canada within the next 6-12 months, please do not hesitate to forward your resume to Immigration Compliance Group for a free, no-obligation assessment, or contact Ellen direct and reference Immigration Compliance Group: ellen@dewittimmigration.com or by telephone at 519-969-6789
