22-04-2014
With the current Federal Skilled Worker program scheduled to expire on April 30th, 2014, applicants are anxiously awaiting the announcement of a new program.
Upcoming 2014 Federal Skilled Worker Program
When Will the Announcement Come?
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has recently shown a tendency to make announcements very close to the end of the current program or beginning of an upcoming program. Attorney Feil, of FWCanada, encourages prospective applicants to check updates regularly this week “in 2013 the final details of the Federal Skilled Worker program, which opened on May 4th, were announced on April 18th. In 2012, the FSW the announcement only came on June 28th about May 1st.”
Does the New Express Entry Program Mean There Will Be No FSW Program?
At this time it appears possible that a Federal Skilled Worker program may continue to exists, even after Express Entry is implemented. In the announcement about the Express Entry program CIC explained that applicants could expect quick processing times (6 months or less) “when invited to come to Canada in four key economic streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class, and a portion of the PNP.”
What to do between now and April 30?
Other Options
Skilled workers without Canadian job offers may have other options for becoming Canadian Permanent Residents. The Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (Nova Scotia PNP) Regional Labour Market Demand Stream opened on March 6th and the Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSW) re-opened on April 1st. Both programs may be good options for eligible applicants.
Current FSW program
Several occupations have not yet reached their cap/limit under the current Federal Skilled Worker program . If applicants can submit quickly, this may also be an option. As of April 14th, 2014 several occupations had not yet reached their limit. These include:
· 2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
· 2143 Mining engineers
· 2144 Geological engineers
· 2145 Petroleum engineers
· 2146 Aerospace engineers
· 2154 Land surveyors
· 2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
· 3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
· 3143 Occupational Therapists
· 3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants
· 3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
· 3215 Medical radiation technologists
· 3216 Medical sonographers
· 3217 Cardiology technicians and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified)
Advanced Preparation
Even before new immigration programs are announced, applicants can benefit from documenting their credentials in advanced. Having valid documents that demonstrate an applicant’s (or family member’s) age, education, language proficiency and work experience prepared in advance can save valuable time if or when a new program opens. If a new limited program does open up, an applicant who already has most or all of their documents prepared may be able to submit an application before the program fills.
Check Updates Regularly
FWCanada (canadianimmigration.net) will update our site when announcements are made regarding the FSW program.
