On November 28, 2008, Canada announced new measures to improve the Immigration Program. This was aimed at making the Immigration program responsive to Canada’s labour market needs. Retroactive to February 27, 2008, the Action Plan for Faster Immigration includes issuing Instructions to visa officers reviewing new Federal Skilled worker application to process those from candidates who:

1. have an offer of employment in Canada; or
2. are foreign national living legally in Canada for one year; or
3. are skilled worker and has at least one year of experience under one or more of 38 occupations that are highly in demand in Canada-

The list of 38 high-demand occupations was developed after consultations with the provinces and territories, business, labour and other stakeholders. The era; where almost everyone was qualified to apply is over. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the new guideline will not be processed. This present system, along with funds set aside in the 2008 Budget to improve the Immigration system, will stop the backlog currently being experienced by visa offices from growing and will equally start to draw it down.

With the new procedure, Federal Skilled worker applicants, including those with arranged employment are expected to receive a decision on their application within six to twelve months of applying; compared with up to six years under the old system.

These improvements, coupled with a number of recent initiatives, bring Canada in line with two of its main competitors for highly skilled labour. The recent steps will help ensure that Canada remains competitive internationally and responsive to labour market needs domestically.

If you have at least one year of full time working experience, in the past 10 years; in one or more of the 38 occupations listed below, and wishes to Immigrate to Canada as a Federal Skill Worker alongside your family, you are eligible to apply.

ELIGIBLE OCCUPATION:

• Restaurant and Food Service Managers
• Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
• Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
• Biologists and Related Scientists
• Architects
• Specialist Physicians
• General Practitioners and Family Physicians
• Dentists
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Registered Nurses (Cap reached)
• Medical Radiation Technologists
• Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• Psychologists
• Social Workers
• Chefs
• Cooks
• Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
• Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
• Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
• Industrial Electricians
• Plumbers
• Welders & Related Machine Operators
• Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
• Crane Operators
• Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
• Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service







Canada Immigration Skilled Worker Program FAQ




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