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Proposed Changes to Qualifying Criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Immigration
CIC is proposing and implementing a number of changes across multiple categories of temporary and permanent immigration.
Another week, another set of changes to immigration categories and procedures!
In addition to the changes related to Temporary Foreign Workers that will come into effect in April 2011, and the significant changes to Federal and Family Class permanent immigration targets for 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has also announced proposed changes to the qualifying criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker category of immigration.
Applicants hoping to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker program will still be required to meet a minimum of 67 points, however, the number of points you can obtain under the criteria of language, age, education and experience could be changing. CIC will also be introducing new assessment criteria for establishing the genuineness of a job offer from a Canadian employer.
Language: Currently, you can receive up to 16 points for a primary language (either English or French) based on your IELTS test score (or the French equivalent – TEF). Studies have shown that someone with stronger English or French abilities has a greater rate of successfully obtaining gainful employment once they are in Canada. Because of this, CIC proposes to increase the points available in this category to 20.
Age: CIC is going to increase the number of points available for permanent resident applicants between the ages of 25 and 34, again to due to research related to employability and adaptability factors within Canada. The maximum number of points available in this category would be 12, up from 10.
Education: It is no secret the Federal Skilled Worker program is challenging for trades occupations to qualify for due to the combination of school and experience required in their post-secondary education. Due to the shortage of skilled trades all across Canada, it is proposed that the number of years of required education for trades occupations be lowered. There wouldn’t be a change in the number of points awarded, just a change in the criteria to obtain those points, based on your occupation.
Experience: “Do you have any Canadian Experience?” is a common interview question for new residents in Canada. However, irrelevant this question is or isn’t, CIC may start issuing less points for experience in your field of expertise. The proposed change is to decrease the maximum number of points obtainable under this criterion from 21 down to 15.
Job Offers: It is no surprise that the degree of proof required for an approved job offer (for both Temporary workers and Permanent workers!) will be increasing this year! Employers will be required to provide more documentation and further evidence of the genuineness of the job offer. Companies and employers – be prepared to pull out your HR strategic recruiting material and overall company objectives for hiring internationally!
And don’t forget, the Federal Skilled Worker Priority Occupations list will be changing June 30, 2011.
CIC is proposing and implementing a number of changes across multiple categories of temporary and permanent immigration.
Another week, another set of changes to immigration categories and procedures!
In addition to the changes related to Temporary Foreign Workers that will come into effect in April 2011, and the significant changes to Federal and Family Class permanent immigration targets for 2011, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has also announced proposed changes to the qualifying criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker category of immigration.
Applicants hoping to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker program will still be required to meet a minimum of 67 points, however, the number of points you can obtain under the criteria of language, age, education and experience could be changing. CIC will also be introducing new assessment criteria for establishing the genuineness of a job offer from a Canadian employer.
Language: Currently, you can receive up to 16 points for a primary language (either English or French) based on your IELTS test score (or the French equivalent – TEF). Studies have shown that someone with stronger English or French abilities has a greater rate of successfully obtaining gainful employment once they are in Canada. Because of this, CIC proposes to increase the points available in this category to 20.
Age: CIC is going to increase the number of points available for permanent resident applicants between the ages of 25 and 34, again to due to research related to employability and adaptability factors within Canada. The maximum number of points available in this category would be 12, up from 10.
Education: It is no secret the Federal Skilled Worker program is challenging for trades occupations to qualify for due to the combination of school and experience required in their post-secondary education. Due to the shortage of skilled trades all across Canada, it is proposed that the number of years of required education for trades occupations be lowered. There wouldn’t be a change in the number of points awarded, just a change in the criteria to obtain those points, based on your occupation.
Experience: “Do you have any Canadian Experience?” is a common interview question for new residents in Canada. However, irrelevant this question is or isn’t, CIC may start issuing less points for experience in your field of expertise. The proposed change is to decrease the maximum number of points obtainable under this criterion from 21 down to 15.
Job Offers: It is no surprise that the degree of proof required for an approved job offer (for both Temporary workers and Permanent workers!) will be increasing this year! Employers will be required to provide more documentation and further evidence of the genuineness of the job offer. Companies and employers – be prepared to pull out your HR strategic recruiting material and overall company objectives for hiring internationally!
And don’t forget, the Federal Skilled Worker Priority Occupations list will be changing June 30, 2011.
