Application for the new FSWC program ???

[donutbox]

Can someone help to clarify for me some questions regarding the (new) FSWC (Federal Skilled Worker Class) program.


This is currently my (limited) understanding of the new FSWC program:

[1] A new occupation list (NOC list) will be released sometime in April/2013.

[2] The new FSWC program will start accepting applications on May 4, 2013.

[3] I will have to submit my official IELTS grades with my FSWC application to prove my English language proficiency.

[4] I will have to have my (non Canadian) university credentials pre-assessed/pre-approved by an assessment organizations designated by CIC.

[5] I will have to also submit this credential approval ([4]) with my FSWC application.

[6] The list of credential assessment organizations designated by CIC will be made available in April/2013.

[7] There is now a limit on the number of FSWC applications that CIC will be accepting.

[8] FSWC selection system will start accepting applications on May 4, 2013.




My question are:

(a) What is the number of FSCW applications that CIC will be accepting for 2013?


(b) The earliest IELTS exam date that is available to me for the IELTS General Training exam is Apr/27/2013, the results due date for that April exam is May/10/2013.

Considering that FSWC applications will be opening up on May 4, 2013 do you think I would still have a chance of submitting my application before the FSWC application limit is reached?


(c) How exactly are points allocated for education? For example, assuming that my non Canadian Bachelors degree is actually equivalent to a Canadian university Bachelor degree will I also get additional points based on degree "Honors", i.e., if my Bachelors degree is "First Class Honors" and my degree is indeed equivalent to a Canadian "Honors" degree will I get additional points for those "Honors"?

(c1) Likewise, suppose I have a "non-honors" Bachelors degree, and suppose my "non-honors" degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree but my degree is only a "Pass" degree, how many points do I get for only a "Pass" degree (compared to a "First Class", "Upper Second Class", "Lower Second Class" honors degree)?

(c2) Or does the fact that my degree is only a "Pass" degree prevent it from even being judged as being equivalent to a Canadian degree?

(c3) Is there any guidance from CIC on how exactly will degrees be assessed?

(c4) Is there any system for me to use now to pre-assess my degree just so I have somewhat of an idea of what the CIC's credential assessment organizations will say about my degree?

(c5) What if I have a 4 year degree, but due to some personal matters at the time it took me 6 years to complete my 4 year degree? Will that make a difference during the assessment process?


I really really wouldn't want to waste time preparing to apply for FSCW only to hear from CIC's credential assessment organization that my degree isn't even good enough.


(d) Does anyone know how exactly does Canadian universities classify their undergraduate degrees?

 

[namaste]

Can someone help to clarify for me some questions regarding the (new) FSWC (Federal Skilled Worker Class) program.

My question are:

(a) What is the number of FSCW applications that CIC will be accepting for 2013?
Yet to be released.

(b) The earliest IELTS exam date that is available to me for the IELTS General Training exam is Apr/27/2013, the results due date for that April exam is May/10/2013.

Considering that FSWC applications will be opening up on May 4, 2013 do you think I would still have a chance of submitting my application before the FSWC application limit is reached?
Again, no way to tell that. It would depend on many things such as how popular your NOC code is. Also, it might actually take you longer to get results from ECA than from IELTS, considering the fact that ECA lsit will only be released in April and it will take about a month thereafter to get the assessment.

(c) How exactly are points allocated for education? For example, assuming that my non Canadian Bachelors degree is actually equivalent to a Canadian university Bachelor degree will I also get additional points based on degree "Honors", i.e., if my Bachelors degree is "First Class Honors" and my degree is indeed equivalent to a Canadian "Honors" degree will I get additional points for those "Honors"?

(c1) Likewise, suppose I have a "non-honors" Bachelors degree, and suppose my "non-honors" degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree but my degree is only a "Pass" degree, how many points do I get for only a "Pass" degree (compared to a "First Class", "Upper Second Class", "Lower Second Class" honors degree)?

(c2) Or does the fact that my degree is only a "Pass" degree prevent it from even being judged as being equivalent to a Canadian degree?

The points for education are distributed as below: As you can see, honors or not, your points will not change for a particular degree.

Doctoral level: 25
Masters or professional degree:23
Two or more post-secondary credentials, one of which is a three-year or longer post-secondary credential: 22
Three-year or longer post-secondary credential: 21
Two-year post-secondary credential: 19
One-year post-secondary credential: 15
Secondary school: 5

(c3) Is there any guidance from CIC on how exactly will degrees be assessed?
No guidance from CIC yet. But ICAS has a few guidelines for FSW-related assessment. Check this link:
http://www.icascanada.ca/applicants/faq.aspx#eval-can


(c4) Is there any system for me to use now to pre-assess my degree just so I have somewhat of an idea of what the CIC's credential assessment organizations will say about my degree?
Check the above link from ICAS. It can assess your degree now and upgrade it to FSW assessment later for an additional fee if it is chosen by CIC.

I really really wouldn't want to waste time preparing to apply for FSCW only to hear from CIC's credential assessment organization that my degree isn't even good enough.


(d) Does anyone know how exactly does Canadian universities classify their undergraduate degrees?

 

[donutbox]

Thanks namaste for your response, can you also indicate what is ECA?

Also, I just added c5 question, I don't know if you would be able to answer that one too:


(c5) What if I have a 4 year degree, but due to some personal matters at the time it took me 6 years to complete my 4 year degree? Will that make a difference during the assessment process?

 

[namaste]

ECA: Education credential assessment

The number of years you took to finish the degree shouldn't matter. They will only take into account the fact that it is a 4 years degree.

Thanks namaste for your response, can you also indicate what is ECA?

Also, I just added c5 question, I don't know if you would be able to answer that one too:


(c5) What if I have a 4 year degree, but due to some personal matters at the time it took me 6 years to complete my 4 year degree? Will that make a difference during the assessment process?

 

[donutbox]

ECA: Education credential assessment

The number of years you took to finish the degree shouldn't matter. They will only take into account the fact that it is a 4 years degree.

Thanks namaste for your clarification.

 

[donutbox]

Considering that the NOC list is not yet out and considering that Credential Assessment Organizations list is also not yet out does it make sense to engage a lawyer/agent to prepare the FSWC forms?......wouldn't it be best to simply wait until later in April/2013 (when NOC list ad credential list) is out before even considering engaging the services of a lawyer/agent?



What I am getting at is what value would a lawyer/agent provide at this early stage?


(I am considering a lawyer/agent.....but considering all I know and considering that I have access to CanadaVisa.com forum I am at a lost to rationalise what value/benefit a lawyer/agent would provide at this early stage and possibly even later)

 

[namaste]

Considering that the NOC list is not yet out and considering that Credential Assessment Organizations list is also not yet out does it make sense to engage a lawyer/agent to prepare the FSWC forms?......wouldn't it be best to simply wait until later in April/2013 (when NOC list ad credential list) is out before even considering engaging the services of a lawyer/agent?



What I am getting at is what value would a lawyer/agent provide at this early stage?
None, there is absolutely nothing anyone can do at this point. YOu would only be wasting your money. You can go to the following link and start preparing documents listed in the checklist to save you some time in case your occupation falls in the list. Adding a lawyer later when you know you can apply might make more sense, but again, once the process becomes clear, you should be able to do it on your own without a lawyer's help. So, as for right now, hiring a lawyer just does not justify (at least for me!)

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/skilled.asp
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(I am considering a lawyer/agent.....but considering all I know and considering that I have access to CanadaVisa.com forum I am at a lost to rationalise what value/benefit a lawyer/agent would provide at this early stage and possibly even later)

 

[swamik]

My question are:

(a) What is the number of FSCW applications that CIC will be accepting for 2013?


(b) The earliest IELTS exam date that is available to me for the IELTS General Training exam is Apr/27/2013, the results due date for that April exam is May/10/2013.

Considering that FSWC applications will be opening up on May 4, 2013 do you think I would still have a chance of submitting my application before the FSWC application limit is reached?


(c) How exactly are points allocated for education? For example, assuming that my non Canadian Bachelors degree is actually equivalent to a Canadian university Bachelor degree will I also get additional points based on degree "Honors", i.e., if my Bachelors degree is "First Class Honors" and my degree is indeed equivalent to a Canadian "Honors" degree will I get additional points for those "Honors"?

(c1) Likewise, suppose I have a "non-honors" Bachelors degree, and suppose my "non-honors" degree is equivalent to a Canadian degree but my degree is only a "Pass" degree, how many points do I get for only a "Pass" degree (compared to a "First Class", "Upper Second Class", "Lower Second Class" honors degree)?

(c2) Or does the fact that my degree is only a "Pass" degree prevent it from even being judged as being equivalent to a Canadian degree?

(c3) Is there any guidance from CIC on how exactly will degrees be assessed?

(c4) Is there any system for me to use now to pre-assess my degree just so I have somewhat of an idea of what the CIC's credential assessment organizations will say about my degree?

(c5) What if I have a 4 year degree, but due to some personal matters at the time it took me 6 years to complete my 4 year degree? Will that make a difference during the assessment process?


I really really wouldn't want to waste time preparing to apply for FSCW only to hear from CIC's credential assessment organization that my degree isn't even good enough.

I have one more additional questions related to this can someone explain please ?

Assuming there is a limit on the application, and considering around 40 % of the applications being rejected, how can this 40 % be filled. I am confused here, because, we are not doing any online application which will disallow someone from applying after the cut off is reached. Also, assuming there are 100 applications for a particular NOC, and an applicant wants to apply who has much more valuable credentials and still will he be disallowed to apply since the cutoff is reached ??

This is my assumption, CIC will not have any cut off and will allow everyone to apply, and it will try to chose the best among the lot and will send back the remaining applications, or will allow them to be in the pool to be chosen next year, if there skills and experience are more relevant.

 

[namaste]

You could be right. But, CIC has never operated that way. They always set a quota, but continue accepting applications even when the quota is reached. So, they maintain the applications that they receive past the quota as backlogs and try to process subsequently in later years (which as we all know can take many many years). That's the source of the whole backlog mess. If they just stopped taking applications in (of course after releasing info that the quota has been reached), they wouldn't have the backlog to begin with.

The only distinction they make in which applications get processed is whether you have a job offer or not. For everybody without a job offer, it's a first come first serve as long as the quota is open. They haven't in the past distinguished applicants by their points. This is not to say they won't do it in the future, but seems like a lot of work for them since they would need to look at and evaluate every single application to choose who is the best. And honestly, I don't think they care enough to do that.

I have one more additional questions related to this can someone explain please ?

Assuming there is a limit on the application, and considering around 40 % of the applications being rejected, how can this 40 % be filled. I am confused here, because, we are not doing any online application which will disallow someone from applying after the cut off is reached. Also, assuming there are 100 applications for a particular NOC, and an applicant wants to apply who has much more valuable credentials and still will he be disallowed to apply since the cutoff is reached ??

This is my assumption, CIC will not have any cut off and will allow everyone to apply, and it will try to chose the best among the lot and will send back the remaining applications, or will allow them to be in the pool to be chosen next year, if there skills and experience are more relevant.

 

[donutbox]

I have one more additional questions related to this can someone explain please ?

Assuming there is a limit on the application, and considering around 40 % of the applications being rejected, how can this 40 % be filled. I am confused here, because, we are not doing any online application which will disallow someone from applying after the cut off is reached. Also, assuming there are 100 applications for a particular NOC, and an applicant wants to apply who has much more valuable credentials and still will he be disallowed to apply since the cutoff is reached ??

This is my assumption, CIC will not have any cut off and will allow everyone to apply, and it will try to chose the best among the lot and will send back the remaining applications, or will allow them to be in the pool to be chosen next year, if there skills and experience are more relevant.

I don't know the answer to your question now, but I think that this is how they will deal with the issue in the future:



Canada to Pursue ‘Expression of Interest' Immigration Model

February, 2013

In the future, Canada plans to adopt a new model of immigration known as the ‘Expression of Interest' (EOI) system. The EOI system will be implemented with the intent of better targeting skilled immigrants to fill specific Canadian labour market needs. By more carefully selecting immigrants, it is expected that this system will better benefit both the Canadian economy and newcomers themselves.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) plans to implement the EOI system sometime in 2014. When that happens, it will mean significant change for a system that has been accused of rigidity and stagnation. However, with careful planning, CIC has expressed confidence that the transition to an EOI system will ultimately make Canada a leader in the global competition for the world's most desirable immigrants.

READ MORE.......

 

[namaste]

Yes, the EOI process, once implemented, should be much better and efficient if is modeled after Australia's process. As for the May applicants, it seems they will be in a limbo with no clear processing plan in view.
Hence, one thing that prospective May applicants should consider is, is it worth applying in May and have you application waiting in backlog for years, or is it better to wait for EOI and then apply.

I don't know the answer to your question now, but I think that this is how they will deal with the issue in the future:



Canada to Pursue ‘Expression of Interest' Immigration Model

February, 2013

In the future, Canada plans to adopt a new model of immigration known as the ‘Expression of Interest' (EOI) system. The EOI system will be implemented with the intent of better targeting skilled immigrants to fill specific Canadian labour market needs. By more carefully selecting immigrants, it is expected that this system will better benefit both the Canadian economy and newcomers themselves.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) plans to implement the EOI system sometime in 2014. When that happens, it will mean significant change for a system that has been accused of rigidity and stagnation. However, with careful planning, CIC has expressed confidence that the transition to an EOI system will ultimately make Canada a leader in the global competition for the world's most desirable immigrants.

READ MORE.......

 

[donutbox]

Yes, the EOI process, once implemented, should be much better and efficient if is modeled after Australia's process. As for the May applicants, it seems they will be in a limbo with no clear processing plan in view.
Hence, one thing that prospective May applicants should consider is, is it worth applying in May and have you application waiting in backlog for years, or is it better to wait for EOI and then apply.

As usual though, there probably won't be much information about EOI until probably a few weeks before they decide to launch it. CIC seems to like to be inefficient in the way they do things.....all this does is result in uncertainties for perspective applicants.....

 

[swamik]

I don't know the answer to your question now, but I think that this is how they will deal with the issue in the future:



Canada to Pursue ‘Expression of Interest' Immigration Model

February, 2013

In the future, Canada plans to adopt a new model of immigration known as the ‘Expression of Interest' (EOI) system. The EOI system will be implemented with the intent of better targeting skilled immigrants to fill specific Canadian labour market needs. By more carefully selecting immigrants, it is expected that this system will better benefit both the Canadian economy and newcomers themselves.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) plans to implement the EOI system sometime in 2014. When that happens, it will mean significant change for a system that has been accused of rigidity and stagnation. However, with careful planning, CIC has expressed confidence that the transition to an EOI system will ultimately make Canada a leader in the global competition for the world's most desirable immigrants.

READ MORE.......

possibly this is the only solution that can address the case, Thus the EOI pool will be open once every week or 2 weeks and the highest point claimers will be invited to apply, depending on the area or training and experience. This is in fact a better system, with lesser uncertainties. Sooner they can implement it the better. But, the CIC had always been slow in upgrading, and they are even struggling to release the list of organization, that should do the credential assessment.