new processing time - Federal Skilled Worker

[indusvision]

Hi all,

I am about to apply for Canadian immigration from Berlin, Germany.
I am wondering that what are the nnew recent changes in processing procedure, as the CIC website says that the new immigration process will response within 6 to 12 months, based on the demand of occupations in Canada.

However, a friend of mine have applied a month ago from Berlin, and he got a letter saying that it may take 36 to 48 months, and he is given an option that he can withdraw his application with full refund of fee. Its confusing ?

Can anyone please guide on this ?

What are the occupations in Canada that are current in demand ?

Thanks a lot!

[Leon]

The average for FSW through Berlin is 24 months.  He can get it faster if he gets a job offer and a temporary work permit and goes through PNP.

You can find occupations under pressure at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/workplaceskills/foreign_workers/occunderpres.shtml but also look at the CIC website under immigration - provincial nominee programs to see which professions qualify in each province.

[Basya]

Applied  on September 13, 2006 at Canadian Embassy in Berlin (simplified process)
July, 2008 - documents request
January 2009 - certain originals request
March 2009 - background check initiated
Application is still in process.