FSW - Is having a job offer mandatory ?

[sunshinejan]

Hi everyone.
I am a complete newbie in Canada immigration stuff, I have just started researching and there's one big question for me.

Is having an arranged job offer from Canada mandatory for applying for FSW program?
And one more question - are there specific periods for applying or what?

Thanks in advance.

 

[loncan]

If you have a job offer your employer co-operates to apply for an "LMO" (Labour Market Opinion) and you can then apply at any time.
If you do not have a job offer, there are yearly caps and a list of acceptable occupations.

 

[sunshinejan]

Thanks for explaining.

So if you do not have a job offer you do not need to apply for Labour Market Opinion at all?
My husband is a financial analyst, is his occupation eligible?

 

[Vats]

Finincial analyst is eligible occupation this year for FSW2013
but I doubt you can be within CAP of 300 globally.

ref. http://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/fsw-2013-applicants-timeline-lets-network-here-t146774.0.html

 

[loncan]

If you don't have a job offer then no you don't need an LMO (but you do need to be in the cap for applying for the FSWP).

To apply under the FSWP you would need to take English tests (IELTS) and have your Academic Credentials assessed ("ECA"). For that reason it is very likely that having done this the cap for this year for that occupation would by then be full.

Your options with respect to Permanent Residency are to look at Quebec's program (if you don't mind speaking French), to seek a job in Canada (with an employer happy to apply for an LMO), or to prepare for next year. Of course the rules could change for next year - for good or bad!

 

[sunshinejan]

Thanks everyone.
I don't mind waiting for the next year actually. Are there specific dates for the cap for applying?

 

[loncan]

The info from CIC on that is:
"The cap year began on May 4, 2013, and will end on April 30, 2014, unless otherwise stated by the Minister."

Whatever does happen on 30 April, be ready to be prompt

 

[scylla]

Thanks everyone.
I don't mind waiting for the next year actually. Are there specific dates for the cap for applying?

FYI - there is no guarantee your husband's occupation will be on the list next year. All you can do is be prepared and hope it is.

 

[sunshinejan]

FYI - there is no guarantee your husband's occupation will be on the list next year. All you can do is be prepared and hope it is.

Does it change radically every year?
P.s. My occupation is "marketing assistant". As I believe it's not eligible for this year, am I right?

 

[scylla]

Marketing Assistance is not on the list.

Some years the list changes quite a bit - other years it doesn't.