FSWP Skilled Trade Program | Modernized Federal Skilled Worker Program

If approved, it will now be easier for skilled tradespersons to immigrate to Canada. In Citizenship and Immigration Canada's news release dated April 10, 2012, it announced its intention to create a new Skilled Trades Program, as part of the plan to modernized Federal Skill Worker Program (FSWP).

The proposed 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. The new skilled trades stream would avoid some of the complexities of the traditional points grid. Skilled trades applicants will, however, need to meet minimum language requirements, given the importance of language as a determinant of immigrant success. [Source]

This new program may be implemented later this year. My guess is it will be implemented this coming July 2012 in time for the Ministerial Instruction 5.

Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney, accompanied by Michelle Rempel, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Environment and M.P. for Calgary Centre-North, speaks to workers at the Bow II construction site, announcing the intention to create a new Federal Skilled Trades Program as part of the government’s economic program focused on jobs, growth, and prosperity. – Calgary, AB / Image Credit: http://cic.gc.ca

Read more about the proposed changes to FSW Points System.

Options for Pre-February 27, 2008 FSW Applicants

The proposed legislation aiming to close the files of FSW applicants who applied before February 27, 2008, and for whom an immigration officer has not made a decision based on selection criteria by March 29, 2012 will most likely be passed in the Parliament.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada thinks it has the power to put these changes in place. Whether this is legal or not, one thing is certain: It is a sad news for those affected by the changes.



The question now is, what happens next? What are the options or remedy for those who will be affected?

On the question of how will this change may affect one's application, please refer to the Questions and answers: Changes that affect Federal Skilled Worker applications provided by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Q. Would I be affected if CIC removes the FSW backlog?

A. Under the proposed changes, CIC would close Federal Skilled Worker applicants’ files if they:

* applied before February 27, 2008, and
* have not had a decision made by an immigration officer based on selection criteria by March 29, 2012. (information on selection criteria is below)

We expect this would affect around 280,000 people including dependents.

If the proposed law is passed, CIC would begin to return the full amount of fees paid by affected FSW applicants.

[Source: http://cic.gc.ca]

We of course understand that it's not easy accepting this development specially if you have waited for almost 8 years already only to be told that your application will not be processed.

But all is not lost. For Canadian Immigration Consultancy clients, we will come up with a program how they can continue to avail of our services even though their file has been returned.

I'm still interested to live and work in Canada, what should I do?

The process has gotten more difficult. But for something as valuable as an immigrant visa to Canada, it is still worth it. For those with the skills, education and English ability there is no investment that is going to yield a higher return on investment than an immigrant visa to Canada. The investment is small, the risk is low, compared to the benefits an immigrant visa will bring to those so fortunate enough to get an immigrant visa to Canada. Take charge and pursue your goals, “Get Ready”.

Option No. 1: Submit a new application under the new Federal Skilled Workers program

The Canadian government is taking a bold step in clearing their backlog of immigration cases. The Canadian government feels they must be able to change more quickly to the needs of employers. It means anyone interested in immigrating to Canada in the future must be “Ready at All Times” to file their application when their occupation opens or when they get selected by a Canadian employer for a job.

Another Ministerial Instruction is expected to issued this coming July 2012. If your occupation will be included in the new priority list, you may have a very short window of opportunity. Preparation starts now. Take the IELTS Exam; get your documents ready; get your credentials assessed if your occupation is regulated in Canada. In other words, be ready to enter the door when it opens this July 2012!

Option No. 2: Provincial Nominee Program

Use your network of relatives and friends to help you find employers in Canada or to provide Provincial Nominee support. Here's how to find jobs in Canada.

Option No. 3: Student Visa

This option is for those who no longer have the ideal age to submit a new application. If you have children in university or newly graduated, another path is for them to take advanced educational courses in Canada. Your children may take the opportunity of working in Canada and then converting their visas to an immigrant visa. Even though the Canadian government is slowing down the reunion of parents, they are offering the super visa that will allow parents to go to Canada and live with their children.

This is unfair, I want justice! I want my voice to be heard!

In the past, there's always a Grandfather clause every time there are changes in Canada's immigration regulations. But this time, the Immigration Minister seems to be capitalizing on Bill C-50 which gave him the power to decide which application shall be process quickly, put on hold, or worst, to be returned unprocessed.

However, there are those who argue that the power given to the Immigration Minister was limited only to applications filed after Feb 27, 2008 and that returning the applications filed before the said that is unconstitutional.

A class-action suit may soon be initiated if they wipe out the backlog this way. Subscribe here via Email to get updates.

SINP - FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot

If you received an invitation from Case Processing Pilot - Ottawa to apply under the FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot - Saskatchewan, you only have until July 31, 2012 to submit your application to Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) office.

Required documents for SINP - FSW Pilot may be found here.

You need to submit the following forms:

1. A copy of the letter you received from CIC alerting you of the opportunity to apply for consideration under the SINP

2. The signed consent to be considered for precessing under the SINP (included in the invitation letter).

3. The Skilled Workers Category Application Form (SINP-100-1)

4. Net Worth Statement (SINP-200-1)

You may download the forms here.

Update on FSW Backlog Pilot | Invitation from Saskatchewan and British Columbia

Just a quick update on FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot.

We recently received a total of 118 invitation letters from Provincial Case Processing Pilot Office this time from the Province of British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

The job classification of 5 applicants who received invitation from Saskatchewan are:

Inspectors in Public and Environmental Health and Occupational Health and Safety

Construction Estimators / Civil Eng. Technologists and Technicians

Elementary School and Kindergarten Teachers/School Principals and Administrators of Elementary and Secondary Education

Agricultural Representatives, Consultants and Specialists

Audio & Video Recording Technicians/Other Technical & Coordinating Occupations in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting & the Performing Arts/Medical Secretaries/Support Occupation in Motion Pictures, Broadcasting & the Performing Arts

For British Columbia, here are some of the job classifications of applicants selected for the program:

Civil Engineering Technologist and Technicians

Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians

Computer Network Operators and Web Technicians

Construction Estimators

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Information Systems Analysts and Consultant / Computer and Network Operators and Web Technicians

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Bus Mechanics and Mechanical Repairers

Supervisors, Furniture and Fixtures Manufacturing

Will be posting an update later for more detailed information about Saskatchewan and British Columbia FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot.


UPDATE:

BC FSW Reduction Pilot Project

SINP - FSW BAcklog Reduction Pilot

Expect More Ministerial Instructions

According to this news release from Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, Evaluation Shows Ministerial Instructions are Relevant and Necessary. Thus, expect more Ministerial Instructions.

"“The evaluation confirms that it was right and necessary to take measures to manage the sheer volume of applications we receive,”" said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

In 2008, the Government of Canada introduced changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act through Bill C-50 (the Budget Implementation Act) to tackle the backlog of federal skilled worker (FSW) applications. At the time, more than 640,000 people were waiting to be processed in the FSW category. In order to increase labour market responsiveness and overall efficiency, the Minister was authorized under Bill C-50 to issue special instructions to immigration officers to limit the number of applications processed, accelerate some applications or groups of applications, and return some applications without processing them to a final decision.

When Ministerial Instruction 1 (MI-1) was issued back in November 2008, it was implemented retroactively to February 2008. As a result, many applications were returned unprocessed. They may be doing the same thing for FSW applications filed before February 27, 2008. This is Citizenship and Immigration Canada's solution to FSW backlog.

MPNP Foreign Skilled Worker Backlog Reduction Initiative

The MPNP has launched Foreign Skilled Worker (FSW) Backlog Reduction Initiative in partnership with CIC as a means to alleviate the backlog of applicants under the CIC Federal Skilled Worker Program.

To be eligible for the MPNP FSW Backlog Reduction Initiative you must have received a letter of invitation from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

If you received a letter under this MPNP initiative, you must file your application on or before June 30, 2012.

You will receive an invitation letter to apply under MPNP Foreign Skilled Worker Backlog Reduction Initiative if you have a pending FSW application filed before Feb 27, 2008 and that you indicated Manitoba as your destination.

Ontario FSW Pilot Program | Opportunities Ontario

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has asked provinces and territories for assistance in reducing the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) backlog of applications submitted before February 2008 through the FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot (FSW Pilot) initiative.



The province of Ontario identified five (5) occupations in which applicants destined to the province will get an opportunity to apply for an Ontario nomination leading to permanent residency on an expedited basis.

If you submitted an application for permanent residence in Canada under the FSW program and that you declared Ontario as your destination, you will receive an invitation to apply as nominee if your occupation is any of the following:

Computer Analysts and Consultants (NOC 2171)
Software Developers (NOC 2173)
Interactive Media Programmers and Developers (NOC 2174)
Financial and Investment Analysts (NOC 1112)
Mathematicians (NOC 2161)

Applicant to Opportunities Ontario under the FSW Pilot must meet the following criteria:

1. Intend to live and work in Ontario.

2. Be in one of the five occupations identified by Ontario (Computer Analysts and Consultants/NOC 2171, Software Developers/NOC 2173, Interactive Media Programmers and Developers/NOC 2174, Financial and Investment Analysts/NOC 1112, Mathematicians/NOC 2161).

3. Have a minimum of 3 years of related, paid, full-time verifiable experience in that occupation within the past 5 years.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

4. Have a minimum of a 3-year degree from a post-secondary institution.

5. Have a minimum language proficiency of 6.5 for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or 4.5 for the Test d’evaluation du français (TEF).

6. Demonstrate a minimum level of savings/income to support yourself and your dependants. See 2011 Updated Settlement Funds Schedule for the amount you need.

If you received an invitation to apply under Ontario FSW Pilot Program, you must submit your application on or before May 4, 2012. Opportunities Ontario can only nominate 600 applicants under this initiative.

Cap For Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Reached - CIO Update As of Feb 14, 2012

The cap for Licensed Practical Nurse was already reached as per Centralized Intake Office update dated February 14, 2012. But in reality, the cap could have been reached several days or weeks before that.



If you're a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse planning to apply for permanent residence in Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers class and you do did not make it to the cap, here's what you may do.

1. Get your documents ready for July 2012. There is a great chance that your occupation may be included again in the 2012 Priority Occupations. You should be able to file your application immediately once Ministerial Instruction 5 (MI-5) is issued.

2. While waiting for the July 2012 Ministerial Instruction, consider having your credentials assessed. Check out Foreign Credentials Referral Office and Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies for Nurses in Canada.

3. Read this Guide For Filipino Nurses Planning to Live and Work in Canada to get information on how to get a possible employer in Canada. You can find job vacancies for nurses using this Canada Jobs Portal.

Click Here for the latest report on total complete FSW applications received since July 1, 2011.

CIO's Approximate Number of FSW Applications Received

I used to keep a monitor of MI-3 Total Number of Applications Received for FSW. However, I decided to stop doing it because I realized there's no use monitoring the dates of that report really. That's because the "as of date" indicated there doesn't really mean anything.

As an example, based on that online report, the cap for Registered Nurses was reached as of September 20, 2011. But in reality, the cap was reached as early as middle of July 2011. But as of their report dated July 21, 2011, only 26 applications were received. In fairness to CIC, there's this disclaimer which stated that the number of complete Federal Skilled Worker applications received is just an approximate. But who would have thought that the cap was already reached as early as July 15, considering their report dated July 21? There simply is no transparency.

The same thing is true in the case of Pharmacists and Physicians. There were cases already returned by the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) for the reason that the cap was already reached.

Now, if you will notice, the "AS OF DATE" part of their online report was already deleted.

As of this writing, the cap for Social Workers was already reached while there's already 485 applications received for the Architects. You will never know when was this updated unless you scroll down and look at lower left corner of that page as shown in the image below.

If the web page footer would be the basis, we may say that as of Feb 7, 2012, total applications received for Architects is already 485. Then again, the reality could be that the cap for Architects was already reached several days ago.