There's only less than 2 months left before a new Ministerial Instruction will be issued by the Immigration Minister. The Minesterial Instruction will identify the new priority occupations, the number of application to be accepted and quite possibly, the changes to Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) program points system.
Get Ready!
Because there is a limit on the number of applications be received, it would be best if the following are now ready. To really have a good chance, the following documents must be ready on or before July 1, 2012:
1. IELTS Examination results. Visit www.ielts.org to check and schedule your test, if you haven't done yet. Ideally, the results must be available before July 1, 2012.
2. Settlement Funds. The amount required depends on the number of family members. Back Certificate is required.
3. Employment Certificate and other supporting documents. Get in touch with your Assiged Agent and Documentation Specialist.
4. Application forms. Log on to http://clients.go2canada.com to fill out and complete the forms.
5. Visa Processing fee
Please be informed that there is of course no guarantee that your occupation will be included in the priority list or if the new points system will be favorable to you. In getting your documents ready, you will incur some costs. Consider it as your investment. And just like any other investment, there is an accompanying risk. It's your choice.
What's New?
SINP Family Category New Requirements
Applicants under the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program Family Category are now required to have a job offer before they could apply. Concurrent nominations are no longer allowed. These changes took effect on May 1, 2012.
Start-Up Visa for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
Citizenship and Immigration Canada recently launched a consulation on whether to create a new and specialized program to attract immigrant entrepreneurs - the Start-Up Visa for Immigrant Entrepreneurs.
FSWP Skilled Trades program
The proposed Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) Skilled Trades program would create a means for skilled tradespersons to be assessed based on criteria geared towards their reality, putting more emphasis on practical training and work experience rather than formal education.
Manila Visa Office FSW Processing Updates
Pre-Feb 27, 2008 FSW Applications
Applications filed before February 27, 2008 are those filed mostly using the Simplified Application Process. Current proceesing period for this batch is 82 months. Canadian Visa Office in Manila is currently processing applications filed November 25, 2004. Citizenship and Immigration Canada proposed a legislation to wipe out this backlog and refund the processing fees of FSW applications filed before February 27, 2008 which do not have a decision as March 29, 2012.
Read: Refund up to $130 million FSW Processng Fees, Proposed.
Ministerial Instruction 1 (MI-1)
MI-1 applications are those filed at Centralized Intake Office from Feb 28, 2008 to June 25, 2010. Applicants under this batch are those with at least one year experience in of the 38 high demand occupations. For the last two weeks, we received several notices (Medical Instructions, Passport Requests and Visas) from the Visa Office for this batch. Medical Instructions were issued to cases filed on March 25, 2011 (documents submitted to Visa Office after CIO assessment).
Ministerial Instruction 2 (MI-2)
MI-2 applications are those filed at Centralized Intake Office from June 26, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Applicants under this batch are those with at least one year experience in any of the 29 in-demand occupations and were promised 6-12 months processing period. All MI-2 applications now have assessment result. The latest who received Medical Examination requests under this group are those filed to CIO dated June 17, 2011.
Ministerial Instruction 3 (MI-3)
MI-3 applications are those filed at Centralized Intake Office from July 1, 2011 until the 10,000 cap was reached few days ago. CIO is no longer accepting new applications under Federal Skilled Workers program, except those with AEO or currently in Canada under a PhD program.
Read: MI-3 Is Now Closed | 10,000 Cap Has Been Reached
For this batchm the latest assessment notice we have received so far are for those filed March 30, 2012. The latest application which received Medical Instruction was application filed December 15, 2011.
May 2012 Visa Bulletin
