The list of 24 occupations that are eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) which reopened on May 4 was released recently. In addition, four organizations have been designated to provide the now-required independent third party assessments of foreign educational credentials for applicants who studied outside of Canada. These assessments, which must be completed before an application is submitted, are aimed at helping newcomers through the FSWP to get off to a better start and into the Canadian labour force more quickly when they arrive. “The government’s focus remains on jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity,” said...

Citizenship and Immigration Canada will be introducing biometric screening into Canada’s Temporary Resident Immigration Program. Starting in fall 2013, visitor visa, study and work permit applicants from 29 countries and one territory will need to provide their fingerprints and photograph when they apply to come to Canada. Minister Jason Kenney announced the change in December 2012; as well, proposed regulations were published in the Canada Gazette allowing the government to require biometric information from these applicants. Using biometrics will facilitate legitimate travel and strengthen Canada’s immigration program, as it will provide...

Canada will reopen the Parent and Grandparent (PGP) program for new applications on January 2, 2014, by which time the backlog and wait times in the program are expected to have been cut in half. “We are on track to meet the goals of cutting in half the backlog and wait times in the Parent and Grandparent program,” said Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. “It is very important that we continue to make progress and not return to the old broken system with wait times as long as a decade that would be unfair to families.” Starting in 2012 and through 2013, Canada will admit 50,000 parents and grandparents as...

For those who do not have a qualifying job offer or who are not PhD  graduates, the list of work experience that qualifies someone to apply (unless the category is full) is as follows: • Engineering managers • Financial, investment analysts • Geoscientists, oceanographers • Civil engineers • Mechanical engineers • Chemical engineers • Mining engineers • Geological engineers • Petroleum engineers • Aerospace engineers • Land surveyors • Physiotherapists • Occupational Therapists • Medical laboratory technologists • Medical radiation technologists • Medical sonographers •...

The race is on. The Canadian government has reopened its immigration program for professionals and began taking receipt of Federal Skilled Worker applications on May 4. This is the program under which most immigrants have arrived in Canada in recent years, and so is a vital part of Canada’s immigration strategy.  However, there are four very important factors hopeful candidates should be aware of: First, Canada will only process the first 300 applications it receives in each job category. There is also an overall cap of 5,000 applications. Second, the government will be unforgiving with respect to technical and program requirements....