07-02-2014
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program will be accepting 5,000 more applications until April 30, 2014. Fifteen categories are still open for skilled workers who wish to apply. Due to the high demand for the program, applicants are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications as soon as possible, and to seek legal advice when necessary in order to ensure sucess throughout their applicaiton process.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is Canada’s most popular immigration venue at the federal level. It encompasses a broad variety of sectors through which applicants may immigrate to Canada without a pre-arranged job offer.
After being closed for almost a year, the FSW program was revised and re-instated in May 2013. Professionals can now choose from 24 occupation categories from which to apply based on factors like education, work experience, language proficiency, etc.
The FSW program currently has a cap of 300 applications per occupation category. Nine categories have already been filled, so 15 categories are still available. Skilled workers wishing to migrate to Canada through the FSW program are therefore strongly urged to do so as soon as possible.
“With a little more than three months left until the end of April, an organized applicant could certainly prepare and submit under the current eligibility requirements,” said Attorney David Cohen on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website.
At the moment, individuals working in the medical field are most likely to successfully obtain a visa through the FSW program. There are seven categories in this sector that remain open:
- Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
- Occupational therapists
- Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistance
- Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologist
- Medical radiation technologists
- Medical sonographers
- Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologist
There is also strong demand for engineers, particularly for the following sectors:
- Chemical engineers
- Mining engineers
- Geological engineers
- Petroleum engineers
- Aerospace engineers
Geoscientists and oceanographers, industrial instrument technicians, and mechanics and land surveyors are also encouraged to apply.
To be eligible for any of the previously mentioned categories, an applicant must submit proof of having at least one year of continuous full-time paid work experience for the past 10 years.
Additionally, an applicant must be able to demonstrate a level of language proficiency in English or French. A language test score must be provided with the application from specific language testing systems such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For the IELTS, applicants must meet at least CLB level 7 in all four language abilities, meaning a score of 6.0 in each language ability on the test.
Applicants must also be assessed against Canadian education standards by an accredited organization. These designated organizations are the World Education Services, Comparative Education Services, International Credentials Assessment Services of Canada, and the Medical Council of Canada for medical applicants.
Finally, a FSW program applicant must meet or exceed a 67-point threshold based on factors like education, age, language, work experience, and adaptability.
Although the status of the FSW program remains undetermined after April 30, 2014, there are other major changes coming soon. Among these is the transition to an entirely new economic immigration system, known as the Expression of Interest (EOI) system that will be implemented by 2015.
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more information about the many immigration opportunities available to prospective immigrants, arrange your consultation by phone at 1.855.316.3555 (Toll Free), or 1.514.316.3555 (international). For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration, follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
