Cap Reached for Mechanical Engineers (NOC 2132)

Based on this Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)'s webpage (Nov 15, 2013 update), containing the tally of applications received for Federal Skilled Workers program, the cap for Mechanical Engineers (NOC 2132) was already reached.

Image Credit: http://jobs.lovetoknow.com

This doesn't mean, however, that those whose applications were received by CIO before November 15, 2013 necessarily made it to the cap. The said page is not a real-time tally.

As of Nov 15, 2013 update, the cap for the following occupations were already reached:

• 0211   Engineering managers1112

• Financial and investment analysts 

• 2132   Mechanical engineers 

• 2147   Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers) 

• 2174   Computer programmers and interactive media developers 

If your occupation is already closed, there other options you may want to consider:

1. Find a Job Offer from Canada and apply for a Work permit
2. Provincial Nominee Program
3. Get ready for the new FSW program in 2014.

And as alternative, you may also want to consider to Live and Work in Australia.  Engineers, Accountants and ITs are needed in Australia.  Be an immigrant in Australia the EASY Way!

WES Education Credentail Assessment Application Process

Among the Four Desigated Organizations for FSW Program Education Credential Assessment, World Education Services seems to have the simplest and fastest processing.

Here's to guide you with the WES Education Credentail Assessment Application Process.

UPDATE June 04, 2016: IF applying for immigration to Canada, please make sure you choose the ECA Package for Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

1. Submit an online application to WES: http://www.wes.org/ca/fswp/.  Filling out the form is quite simple. 

 

2. You need to create an account using your email address and provide the information about your education and delivery address.

3. After completing the online form, click submit and you will be provided a reference number.  Use this reference number every time communicate with WES.  You also need this reference number in requesting your transcript of records from your school (college/university).

4. Submission of documents to WES:

• By applicant    : photocopy of Diploma for all post-secondary education proof of name change (photocopy of marriage certificate)
• By institution    : signed and sealed Transcript of Records

Documents must be sent to:

World Education Services
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3

Canada 

5. Pay the processing fee.  You may pay online using credit card, bank draft or wire transfer.  Best way is to pay online.  Click here for other payment options. 

Option 1
How to Pay by Cheque/Money Order
You have the option of paying the evaluation fee by cheque or money order. The payment must be in Canadian dollars, payable on a bank located in Canada, and made out to 'World Education Services'. Indicate your name and WES reference number on the cheque or money order. Payment must be received by WES before your evaluation can be activated. Send your cheque or money order to:

World Education Services
2 Carlton Street, Suite 1400
Toronto, Ontario M5B 1J3

Option 2
How to Pay by Wire Transfer
To pay by wire transfer, please remit payment in Canadian dollars. Please include the following:

First and Last (Family) name of the applicant
WES reference number (provided upon completion of the online application)
Supplemental $22.60 (includes HST) Canadian wire transfer fee

Royal Bank of Canada
200 Bay Street,
Main Floor,
Toronto, ON M5J 2J5
 
Institution #: 003
Transit #: 00002
Account # : 1289362
RBC SWIFT Code: ROYCCAT2

Please add the $22.60 (includes HST) Canadian to the total amount owed. If the fee is not included, your account balance will not be settled in full which may delay the processing of your application.
After sending payment please email the wire transfer details to contactca@wes.org.

Considering the limited number of applications that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will accept this year, you must process your Education Credentials Assessment as soon as possible.  You have to make sure that your school sends your document without delay.  

For those not included in the priority list but are preparing in case their occupation is included in the next priority list, you may also want to consider processing your ECA as well.  Education Credential Assessment result is valid for 5 years.

New FSW Program Details Released, Now What?

The details about the new Federal Skilled Worker program is now officialy released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. See Breaking News: New FSW Priority Occupations and List of Organizations Designated to Conduct Educational Credential Assessments Finally Out!


Now What?

For you to be eligible under the new FSW program, you must have an Arranged Employpment, currently enrolled in PhD program or with at least 1 year experience in any of the following 24 eligible occupations:

    0211 Engineering managers
    1112 Financial and investment analysts
    2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
    2131 Civil engineers
    2132 Mechanical engineers
    2134 Chemical engineers
    2143 Mining engineers
    2144 Geological engineers
    2145 Petroleum engineers
    2146 Aerospace engineers
    2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers)
    2154 Land surveyors
    2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
    2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
    2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
    3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
    3142 Physiotherapists
    3143 Occupational Therapists
    3211 Medical laboratory technologists
    3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
    3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
    3215 Medical radiation technologists
    3216 Medical sonographers
    3217 Cardiology technicians and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified)

You must meet the passmark using the new points system.  For the IELTS Examination result, you must not have a score lower than 6.

Occupation Included in the list

If your occupation is included in the list, you must immediately process your application for Education Credentials Assessment by sending your application to applicable designated instiutions:

    Comparative Education Service;
    International Credential Assessment Service of Canada;
    World Education Services; and,
    Medical Council of Canada.

If you do not have IELTS result yet, schedule your exam as soon as possible. Starting May 4, 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will accept only a limited number of applications - An overall cap of 5,000 new applications for all eligible occupations, including a sub-cap of 300 new applications for each eligible occupation.

Occupation not included in the list

If your occupation is not in the list but you still want to live and work in Canada, there is still hope.  It's not the end of the world.  But we of course understand how frustrating it is for those who have prepared in advance.  However, given the current state and direction of Canada's immigration program, you really have to be ready at all times if you are seriously considering the plan to live and work in Canada.

Once the over all cap of 5,000 has been reached, a new list may be released or quite possibly, the Expression of Interest System will be implemented in 2014. But while waiting for this happen, there are alternatives you may consider:

Provincial Nominee Program.  To be eligible under this program, you need somebody from Canada to support or endorse your application. It could be employer, immediate relative or friend/distant relative.  If you know somebody in the Province of Manitoba, consider Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program.

Work Permit.  You need a job offer before you may apply for a Work Permit and Temporary Resident Visa.    Get help from your network in Canada. Check job vacancies in Canada using the Internet and send an application online.  See: How to Find Jobs in Canada.

Quebec Option.  Nurses may not be included in the 24 Eligible Occupations but it is highly in-demand in the Province of Quebec.  Consider Quebec Immigration Program.  If Quebec is not appealing to you, then consider getting licensed in any of the province in Canada. See: Guide for Filipino Nurses.

Study Permit.  Another option is to upgrade your education by studying in Canada, get a Study Permit. This may be costly but once in after finishing the program, there's an opportunity for you to immigrate under the Canadian Experience Class. While in Canada, you are closer to employers who may be interested to hire you and support your application for permanent residence in Canada.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) | Four Desigated Organizations for FSW Program

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is mandatory for applicants submitting an application for permanent residence under the new Federal Skilled Worker Program. For this purpose, Citizenship and Immgration Canada identified 4 organizations designated to Conduct Educational Credential Assessments.

You can get your assessment from:

• Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• World Education Services
• International Qualifications Assessment Service
• International Credential Evaluation Service
• Medical Council of Canada (professional body for Doctors)
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (professional body for Pharmacists)

The Medical Council of Canada has been designated only for those principal applicants who intend to apply with specialist physician (2011 National Occupation Classification [NOC] code 3111) or general practitioner/family physician (2011 NOC code 3112) as their primary occupation in their FSWP application.

Please note that Citizenship and Immigration Canada will only accept ECA reports issued after the date the organization was designated by CIC to provide ECA reports for immigration purposes (i.e. April 17, 2013). An ECA report will be valid for immigration purposes for 5 years from the date that it was issued by the designated organization.

24 Eligible Occupations - New Federal Skilled Worker Program 2013

The following occuations are included in the List of 24 Occpations Eligble for the new Federal Skilled Worker Program:

• 0211 Engineering managers
• 1112 Financial and investment analysts
• 2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
• 2131 Civil engineers
• 2132 Mechanical engineers
• 2134 Chemical engineers
• 2143 Mining engineers
• 2144 Geological engineers
• 2145 Petroleum engineers
• 2146 Aerospace engineers
• 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers)
• 2154 Land surveyors
• 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
• 2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
• 2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
• 3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
• 3142 Physiotherapists
• 3143 Occupational Therapists
• 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
• 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
• 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
• 3215 Medical radiation technologists
• 3216 Medical sonographers
• 3217 Cardiology technicians and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified) 

The eligible occupations stream will have an overall cap of 5,000 new applications and sub-caps of 300 applications in each of the 24 occupations on the list. If you are included in the list, check out the Organizations Designated to Conduct Educational Credential Assessments and start processing your edcation credentials evaluation.

Breaking News: New FSW Priority Occupations and List of Organizations Designated to Conduct Educational Credential Assessments Finally Out!

The details about the new Federal Skilled Worker program the will start accepting new applications this coming May 4, 2013 is finally out!

The List of Priority Occupations and Organizations Designated to Conduct Educational Credential Assessments for Federal Skilled Worker Program is now availabe.  The news release from Citizenship and Immgration Canada was posted at CIC website few minutes ago.

To summarize, the folowing are the major changes and impotant elements that will have an effect on the application process of the new Federal Skilled Worker Progam:

• A new eligible occupations list, with a total of 24 occupations;
• An overall cap of 5,000 new applications for all eligible occupations, including a sub-cap of 300 new applications for each eligible occupation;
• Four organizations have been designated to conduct educational credential assessments (mandatory for applicants submitting foreign educational credentials); and
• Applicants must show proof that they meet the minimum threshold of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in all four language skill areas: speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension.

Those included in the 24 Priority Occupations may now start with the credentials assessment. 

Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing. - Warren Buffett

We have informed you last week about the change in date of release of the official list of designated educational assessment agencies but that was just based on the twitter message of the Immigration Minister. Yesterday, Citizenship and Immigration Canada made an official announement about it.

With new criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) set to take effect in May, many prospective immigrants may already be preparing to apply.
However, future FSWP applicants should be aware that CIC expects to announce three important elements of the FSWP in April that will have an impact on the application process, including:

• a cap on the number of applications that will be accepted in the first year;
• a new list of priority occupations; and
• the organizations that will be designated to conduct educational assessments.

Applicants who prepare their application before this information is announced do so at their own risk. Applications that do not meet the criteria that will be announced in April will not be processed.

If your job classification is classified as NOC 0, A or B, your occuption may be included in the list.  At this point, no one can tell what the list would be and how many applications will be accepted per job classification.  You have two options here:

1. Wait for the list before you make any prepartion, or
2. Prepare now and be ready to file if and when your occupation is included.

If you are serious about your plan to live and work in Canada, you should get ready.  There's a risk and cost considerations, of course.  But risk comes only from not knowing what you're doing.

Changes Again | Get Ready!

Back in August 2012, it was announced that the new Federal Skilled Worker Program won't be limited to particular occupations, that it will be open to applicants in NOCs 0, A and B. 

But with the recent twitter message of the Immigration Minister, it is clear now that there will be a priority list again.

Prior this message, the Immigration Minister also said that the list of designated educational assessment agencies will be released mid of February. And now, according to the Immigration Minister, the list of priority occupations and list of designated education assessment agencies will be released at the same time in April 2013.  This is to avoid having those not in the list from going through educational assessment. Makes sense.


The question now is - What is to be done if you are interested in immigrating to Canada?

If you are seriously considering your plan to live and work in Canada to give your family a better quality of life, YOU NEED TO BE READY!

Once the program opens in May 4, 2013, there will be a numerical cap in the number of applications to be accepted.  You have two options here:

1. Get your documents ready now, or
2. Wait until the list of occupations is released

If you will wait until April, consider the following:

1. It takes two weeks before you receive the result of your IELTS examination. Scheduling your IELTS exam is another. 

2. How long can you have your employment certificates with job description signed?

3. There are many other documents you need to prepare and check for discrepancies such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.

If you wait for the list before you start preparing, you will most likely not be able to make it.  Most probably, the cap will already be reached by the time you completed your documents.

See, you really need to get ready.  It wasn't raining when Noah build the ark.

List of Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Agencies to be released in Mid-February 2013

For those asking where to send application for Education Credentials Assessment, here's a twitter message from Immigration Minister Jason Kenney:

According to the Immigration Minister, the list of designated educational assessment agencies for the new Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is expected to be released in mid-February 2013.

The New Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will take effect on May 4, 2013

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) finally announced yesterday the exact date when the new Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will take effect.

According to this news release, "the new selection system for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will take effect on May 4, 2013 at which time the program will re-open for applications".

CIC also confirmed the final changes to the FSWP selection criteria include:

• Minimum official language thresholds (CLB 7) and increased points for official language proficiency, making language the most important factor in the selection process;
• Increased emphasis on younger immigrants, who are more likely to acquire valuable Canadian experience, are better positioned to adapt to changing labour market conditions, and who will spend a greater number of years contributing to Canada’s economy;
• Introduction of the Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), so that education points awarded reflect the foreign credential’s true value in Canada;
• Changes to the arranged employment process, allowing employers to hire applicants quickly, if there is a demonstrated need in the Canadian labour market; and
• Additional adaptability points for spousal language ability and Canadian work experience.

A list of assessment organizations designated by the Minister to do the Education Credential Assessment will be made available early 2013.

Interested to live and work in Canada via Federal Skilled Worker Program?  Aside from IELTS and Education Credential Assessment, there are many other things that you must prepare to get ready.  Remember that the new FSWP will accept a fixed number of applications each year.

Be ready to enter when the door opens.  Be ready at all times!   Click Here for Free Online Assessment.

Time Is Of Essence. Act Now!

In the first half of 2013, the new rules governing the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program will be announced by Citizenship ang Immigration Canada. This is according to the latest message of the Immigration Minister. In another news release, Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced that it targets to admit 55,300 under the Federal Skilled Worker program for the year 2013. The new FSW program is open to all occupations classified as NOCs 0, A and B. However, there is a limit in the number of applications to be accepted.

If you are seriously considering a plan to immigrate to Canada to give your family a better quality of life, you should act now. Time is of essence.

Let us help you get ready. Do not wait until the last minute before you prepare your documents. The longer you delay your decision, the more you are risking your chances. Remember, it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. You still have time. Always plan ahead.

Talk to us. Let us set an appointment to start the process. If you are abroad or is living in the province where we don't have an office, we can do this online. The downpayment to start this process is only P28,000, probably even less than the cost of your phone or tablet. But with such a small investment, you are giving yourself and your family an opportunity for a brighter future. This could be the best Christmas gift you could ever give your family.

Q&A: Is it guaranteed that All NOCs 0, A and B will be eligible for the new Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Is it guaranteed that All NOCs 0, A and B will be eligible for the new Federal Skilled Worker Program?

This is a common question I'm receiving from interested applicants who are planning to file an application for permanent residence in Canada.  They are asking this question after I posted this: More Occupations to Open for Canada's Skilled Worker Program | Get Ready for January 2013 .

The short answer is NO.  But let me explain...

There is no official announcement yet from Citizenship and Immigration Canada confirming the final details of New Federal Skilled Worker Program, the New FSW Points System and the IELTS Test Module Required. The information I'm sharing here is based on the statements of Canada's Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney.

You can read more about Jason Kenney from his official website: http://www.jasonkenney.com.  You will find in his website the Twitter Account (@kenneyjason) he is using.

Now, here's a couple of twitter messages from his account:

On the eligible occupations for the new Federal Skilled Worker Program.

"The new Skilled Worker Program will be limited to applicants in NOCs 0, A, & B, but won't be limited to particular occupations." [August 18, 2012]

On the required IELTS Test Module.

"We will continue to use the IELTS General Training Module for language assessments under the new Skilled Worker Program." [September 6, 2012] 

So there.  Now, it is up to you to decide how to make use of this information. This may still change, of course.  So you have two options: Prepare now or wait for the official announcement. 

Remember, however, that there is a limit on the number of applications to be accepted.  If you will not prepare as early as now, there is a great chance that you will never make it. If you are really determined to live and work in Canada to give your family a better quality of life, you must do everything in your power to make it happen.

IELTS General Training is Still the Required Module for the New FSW Program

It's confirmed.  IELTS General Training Module is the required type of IELTS examination for the new Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program.

I asked the Immigration Minister about it via twitter and he replied.

There's a rumor circulating that Academic module will be required.  This reply from the Immigration Minister should put an end to it.   

More Occupations to Open for Canada's Skilled Worker Program | Get Ready for January 2013

The long wait is over.

You don't have to envy those who were included in the previous list of Priority Occupations.  This coming January 2013, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will start accepting new applications for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program and it will be open to all occupations included in the NOCs 0, A and B.* This means the following will now have a chance to apply:

All Managers * All Engineers * All Information Technology related occupations * All Doctors * Accountants * All Supervisors * Nurses * Physical Therapists * Pharmacists *  Medical Technologists * Technical Sales Specialists * College Instructors * Social Workers *  Administrative Officers * Purchasing Officers * Finance Managers * Chemists * Boilogists * Architects * Dieticians * Librarians * Journalists * Writers * Electricians * Welders * Machinists and many more...

Please note, however, that there will be a limit on the number of applications to be accepted.  You must get ready as early as NOW!

If you have at least one year experience, between the age bracket of 21-40 years and is determined to achieve your dream of giving your family a better quality of life by immigrating to Canada, come and see us for assessment.

Click Here for FREE Online Assessment.  We can explain the process via email. This will save you time and money.

You may also visit our office for a one-on-one orientation.  Contact us to set an appointment.  

* No official announcement from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It's based on the twitter message of Jason Kenney, Canada's Immigration Minister. 

Credentials Assessment for Federal Skilled Worker Program Purposes

As of this writing, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is still in the process of selecting the official assessment body to do the credentials assessment for the purpose of Federal Skilled Worker Program applications.  As discussed on my previous post, New FSW Points System, education points would be awarded based on the equivalent Canadian educational credential and points would be redistributed in recognition of the credential’s relevance in the Canadian labor market.

The credentials assessment may take about 3 month, not factoring yet the surge in volume the assessment body may received.  It will definitely delay filing of your FSW application.  To save time, you may want to visit Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada website (http://www.canalliance.org) to get information about the process and the documents required and get it ready as early as now. 

Typically, you would be needing a certified true copy of your Diploma and Transcript of Records.  Get these documents ready so that as soon as the official assessment body is identified, you can send your application for credentials assessment immediately. There could be other documents to be required.   We will keep you posted. 

Twitter Message from Jason Kenney | 2013 FSW Porgram

Few days ago, Canada's Immigration Minister replied to a twitter question about the list of occupations for the new Federal Skilled Worker program.  Here's a screen shot of his answer: 

It looks like there will be no "priority list" to be expected.  According to Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, the new Skilled Worker Program will be limited to applicants in NOCs 0, A & B, but won't be limited to particular occupations.  

This is an interesting development.  It's like back to pre-February 27, 2008, only that there will definitely be a limit on the number of applications to be accepted.   If the limit will only be say, 10,000 applications across all NOC's, it will most likely be filled within a week or two.  The more reason you should start preparing your documents now!

New FSW Points System | Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)

Finally, the specific details of the proposed changes in Canada's FSW Points system is now available online in Canada Gazette. Please note that it is still a proposal and may still be subject to changes. But most likely, this will be it. That's because the way I see it, what Kenny wants, Kenny gets. ;-)

The following are the possible major changes in Federal Skilled Workers Program Points System.

Language Factor
1. Requiring minimum language abilities in order to qualify for the program. The proposal is to set it at Canadian Language Benchmark 7 (CLB 7) for all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). It's equivalent to IELTS Score of 6. The maximum points to be gained from English Language Factor is 24 points. It used to be 16 points only.

2. The number of points for the second official language (French) would be reduced from 8 points to 4 points. 3. Significantly increasing the maximum points awarded for fluency in one official language from 16 points to 24 points. This is not final, but the computation could be as follows:

CLB 7 = 4 points (IELTS 6)
CLB 8 = 5 points (IELTS 6.5 for Reading, Writing and Speaking. For Listening it's 7.5)
CLB 9 = 6 points (IELTS 7 for Reading, Writing and Speaking. For Listening it's 8)

Age Factor
The proposal is to favor younger applicants by awarding a maximum of 12 points for applicants aged 18 to 35 and a reduction of 1 point for every year after 35:

36 years old = 11 points
37 years old = 10 points
38 years old = 09 points
39 years old = 08 points
40 years old = 07 points
41 years old = 06 points
42 years old = 05 points
43 years old = 04 points
44 years old = 03 points
45 years old = 02 points
46 years old = 01 points
47 years old = 00 points

Work Experience Factor
The proposal is to reduce the total number of points for work experience from 21 to 15, and increase the years of experience required to achieve full points, from four years to six.

1 year = 09 points
2-3 yeas = 11 points
4-5 yeas = 13 points
6 + yeas = 15 points

Adaptability Factor
The proposal is to change the adaptability criteria to emphasize factors that are shown to have positive impacts on an immigrant’s economic and social integration. Maximum is 10 points.
10 points - PA Previous Work in Canada (min. 1 yr at NOC 0, A, B)
05 points - Previous study in Canada — PA
05 points - Previous study in Canada — accompanying spouse/partner
05 points - Previous work in Canada — accompanying spouse/partner
05 points - Arranged employment
05 points - Accompanying spouse/partner’s official language (CLB/NCLC 4) 05 points - Relative in Canada (18 years or over)

The additional points (3-5) from Spouse's education is no longer included.

Education Factor
Education points would be awarded based on the equivalent Canadian educational credential and points would be redistributed in recognition of the credential’s relevance in the Canadian labour market. Designated organizations would work on a case-by-case basis to authenticate credentials obtained in foreign jurisdictions and determine their equivalent value in Canada. 25 points - Doctoral level
23 points - Master’s level or professional degree
22 points - Two or more post-secondary credentials, one of which is a three-year or longer post-secondary credential

21 points - Three-year or longer post-secondary credential
19 points - Two-year post-secondary credential
15 points - One-year post-secondary credential
05 points - Secondary school

Without assessment from the organization designated by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, you can't claim points for the education factor.

Pass mark would still be 67 points.

IMPORTANT: If you have a valid IELTS Examination Score but with score of lower than 6 in any of the four areas, it will no longer be valid. You must take schedule another examination. No word yet if the new requirement would now be the Academic Module. We will keep you posted.