Opportunities Ontario FSW Pilot Program
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.
As per the parameters of this initiative, Ontario identified the following 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. Ontario identified the following five occupations:
-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)
CIC has been contacting applicants in these occupations in February 2012 to seek their interest in participating in this Pilot. Contacted applicants will be able to apply to Opportunities Ontario and will be assessed under FSW Pilot program criteria as Ontario provincial nominees. Applications are to be submitted to Opportunities Ontario by May 4, 2012. There is no provincial fee with the application and applicants who are not selected by Ontario will retain their place in the FSWP queue.
Does participation in the FSW Pilot guarantee a Permanent Residency (PR) status?
No. Opportunities Ontario can only nominate 600 applicants under this initiative. Opportunities Ontario reserves the right to process select applications among those received and return the remainder to the senders. Assessment by Opportunities Ontario does not guarantee nomination. Only applicants that are selected by the province and deemed to meet the eligibility criteria will be nominated.
Opportunities Ontario FSW Pilot Program: Who Can Apply
Applicant to Opportunities Ontario under the FSW Pilot must meet the following criteria:
-Intend to live and work in Ontario.
-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).
-Have a minimum of 3 years of related, paid, full-time verifiable experience in that occupation within the past 5 years.
-Have a minimum of a 3-year degree from a post-secondary institution.
-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).
-Demonstrate a minimum level of savings/income to support yourself and your dependants according to the following schedule:
Opportunities Ontario FSW Pilot Program: How To Apply
What documents do I need to submit?
The application package you submit to Opportunities Ontario must include:
The following supporting documentation:
-A copy of the letter you received from CIC alerting you of the opportunity to apply for consideration under the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program.
-A signed copy of the Consent page you received from CIC to be considered for processing under the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program.
-Original employment confirmation letter from your employer (or previous employer/s) on official company letterhead.
-Certified true copy of your degree and/or copy of the official final transcript issued by the institution showing all degree requirements complete.
-Official, original IELTS General or TEF test report issued by a testing centre recognized by IELTS or TEF. Test must have been taken by applicant within 12 months prior to submission of the application to Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program, as per test date on test report.
-Up-to-date, original bank account statements (must be stamped and dated by the banking institution) in your name and copies of your bank transaction records for the six months immediately preceding the date you submit the application to Opportunities Ontario.
-Please provide a free form letter indicating your ties to Ontario, if any, and the rationale behind your decision to choose Ontario as your place of residence. You may include reference letters, previous work/study permits, academic transcripts, affidavits from relatives in Canada, etc., to substantiate stated ties.
-A copy of any/all previous status documents issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (i.e. work permits, study permits, visitor records, etc.)
Wishing those, that have been invited for the fsw backlogs initiative/Ontario pilot nominee pragram a big success in your new application.
