Letter from Visa Office to Applicants who Filed FSW Applications Before Feb 27, 2008

It looks like that the Citizenship and Immigration Canada is seriously addressing its huge backlogs. Many applicants who filed before February 27, 2008 are now receiving letters from the Canadian Visa Office - Manila giving them an option to withdraw their applications within 45 days and offering to refund the processing fee in full.

So far, only those whose occupations are included in the list of current list of high demand occupations are the ones receiving the said letter.

What is to be done?

If your occupation is included in the current list of 38 high demand occupations, it is to your advantage if you will withdraw your application and send another application under the new Federal Skilled Worker Program. Take this option if you want an expedited process. In fact, you should have done that months ago.

But if you are not in a hurry, then you don't have to do anything. There is no need to reply to that letter.

If your occupation is not included in the current list of 38 high demand occupations, you have two options:

1. Assuming your are still interested to pursue your dream to live and work in Canada, do not withdraw your application. Remember that you filed your application knowing that the process may actually take 3-5 years. At least most of you do, I think.

If you withdraw your application with the intention of refiling your application in the future, that will be a big mistake. Unless of course if you are sure that you will still be eligible in the future. Chances are, you don't know.

Your application will still be processed under the regulation at the time your application is filed and may not be affected by future changes. That has always been the case.

You can always withdraw your application at a later date if a new regulation is introduced favoring your circumstances or if your occupation is included in the new list of high demand occupations. Unfortunately, you may no longer be entitled for refund at that time.

2. If you are no longer interested, that would be real simple. Write a letter stating your intention to withdraw your application to refund the processing fee you paid.


Changes Coming Soon?

The letter urges those whose occupations are included in the current list of high demand occupations to send a new application as soon as possible, as the list of 38 high demand occupations is subject to review and change.

This letter is similar to the letter sent by the Visa Office early November 2008 - Updates on Permanent Resident Visa Applications filed in 2005. Less than a month after, the list of 38 high demand occupations was released. If that may be considered a trend, a new list of high demand occupations may be released soon.