- May 8, 2010
- 16
- Category........
- Visa Office......
- Ankara
- NOC Code......
- 0213
- Job Offer........
- Pre-Assessed..
- App. Filed.......
- 4/06/2010
- Doc's Request.
- 28/10/10
- Nomination.....
- In Process 18/11/11
- AOR Received.
- 15/02/11
- IELTS Request
- Done
- Med's Done....
- 30/11/2011 Newbor medical 17/03/2012
- Interview........
- Waived
- Passport Req..
- 09/05/2012
- VISA ISSUED...
- 15/05/2012
- LANDED..........
- 21st of June, 2012 InshAllah!!!
Gys FYI!
Backgrounder
Frequently asked questions – Changes to federal skilled worker and investor immigration programs
On Federal Skilled Worker Program Changes
1. Who are federal skilled workers and why do we need them?
Federal skilled worker immigrants are selected based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. Canada needs federal skilled workers because they have the right mix of skills, education, and experience to meet the current and long term demands of the economy. They also have the transferable skills to adapt to a changing labour market.
2. Why are temporary foreign workers and international students no longer eligible to apply for permanent residence under the federal skilled worker program?
Temporary foreign workers and international students are still eligible to apply under the federal skilled worker category if they have an offer of arranged employment or experience in one of the 29 in-demand occupations.
However, we've removed the eligibility criterion that applied to temporary foreign workers and students specifically to avoid overlap with the now-established Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program, both of which target the same pool of applicants.
3. Why are you introducing a cap?
We are now receiving more federal skilled worker applications than we can process and accept each year. We have more than enough applications on hand now to fill many of our needs. A cap is the only guaranteed way to limit the number of applications we receive. Without the cap on applications, processing times will get longer and a new backlog could be created.
We will continue to admit the same number of federal skilled workers as in previous years, and in fact we believe that there will be higher economic admissions this year in support of the recovery and further reductions in the backlog.
4. Is the annual cap by calendar year, fiscal year or from the date the instructions are published?
The first year will begin on June 26, 2010 and end on June 30, 2011. Subsequent years will be calculated from July 1st to June 30th.
5. What is meant by a cap? Does that limit refer to the total number of applications received or the total number of applications processed, or the total number of applications that are successful?
The cap is a limit on the number of complete applications considered for processing. In this case, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will only consider a maximum of 20,000 complete applications under the occupation list. There is no limit to the number of applicants with a job offer. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 federal skilled worker applications per occupation will be considered for processing each year.
6. Why are you imposing a limit per occupation?
We're introducing a limit of 1,000 applications per occupation to better manage the supply of applications on the occupation list. We have seen higher than expected numbers of applicants claiming experience in eligible occupations. The limit will allow us prevent an over-representation of any one occupation on the list.
7. What will happen with applications received after the cap is reached? How will applicants know their application isn't being processed?
These applicants will be informed, in writing, that their application will not continue for processing and that their processing fees will be returned.
8. How will applications subject to new instructions be processed as compared to applications subject to the first set of instructions and the backlog?
All applications subject to ministerial instructions (everything received since February 27, 2008) will be considered for processing in the order they are received.
All federal skilled worker applications received before February 27, 2008 fall into the backlog, and will be processed concurrently with the applications received since that date (and that are subject to instructions).
9. Why are you eliminating the simplified application?
Since we changed to the simplified application we've noticed a significantly higher number of applicants withdraw when asked for their supporting documents, or full application. By eliminating the simplified application and asking for all the documentation at once, we will make processing more efficient. Eliminating the simplified application shaves 120 days off the total processing time, because this is the time we allowed applicants to send in their supporting documents.
On changes to language testing
10. What changes are you making to the language requirements?
Under the changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, all new applicants are required to include the results of an English or French language test as part of their application.
Previously, applicants also had the option of proving their language ability via a written submission. The written submission was intended for people whose first language was English or French. However, non-native English and French speakers frequently used this option, making it difficult for visa officers to perform an accurate assessment of the applicant's true language ability. As a result CIC now only accepts designated third-party language tests as proof of language ability.
11. Are any applicants exempt from the mandatory language test? What about applicants from English or French speaking countries? Why would someone from England need to take an English test, for example?
There are no exceptions to this rule. We want to ensure that all applicants are evaluated against the same standards, no matter what their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.
12. When did this change come into effect?
The change applies to all federal skilled worker and Canadian Experience Class applications received on or after June 26th, 2010.
13. What improvements in processing times do you anticipate with this change?
Visa officers will now only spend minutes evaluating language proficiency as they will simply assign points based on the language test results. This compares to the months it takes to process an application when written evidence is provided and found insufficient.
14. What are the advantages for applicants of submitting the results of a third-party language assessment to demonstrate ability in English and/or French?
The biggest advantage for the applicant is that they will know ahead of time how their language proficiency will be evaluated. Federal skilled worker applicants will know exactly how many points they will be awarded. In addition, applicants get an objective, realistic assessment of their language ability and areas for possible improvement.
Submitting a language test is also the most efficient way to evaluate language proficiency; it speeds up application processing. Finally, many regulatory bodies and industry sectors require language testing or other proof of language assessment, so in taking the test applicants are one step further on the path to integration into the Canadian labour market.
15. Where can applicants get tested for language proficiency?
Language tests for FSW and CEC applicants are available internationally through the International English Language Testing Service and the Test d'évaluation du français. FSW applicants can also obtain a language test in Canada through the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program. More information and details on the language test requirements.
16. What is the cost of third-party language testing for applicants?
The cost of the International English Language Testing Service, the standard test for English language proficiency, ranges from a low of C$123 in Pakistan to a high of C$265 in Canada. The average price is under C$200. The costs for the Test d'évaluation du français, the standard test for French language proficiency, are similar to those of International English Language Testing Service.
On the Federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP)
17. Why are you no longer accepting new applications?
Under Canada's current criteria, the volume of applications submitted under the IIP has grown exponentially in recent years. This recent surge in applications has resulted in a rising inventory and processing times are increasing.
We are not accepting new applications until the changes are finalized as we would like to prevent a flood of applications before the new criteria take effect. The limit on investor immigrant applications is intended as a short-term measure and is not intended to stay in place indefinitely.
The province of Quebec has its own IIP and processing of applications for permanent residence for investors selected by the province will continue as usual.
18. How long will the limit be in place?
The Department will no longer accept new applications until the new regulations are approved, which is targeted for early fall 2010.
19. What happens if the regulations aren't approved? Will the limit stay in place indefinitely?
The limit is intended as a short-term measure and is not intended to stay in place indefinitely.
20. Will this affect Quebec-selected investors?
The proposed regulatory changes to the eligibility criteria would also apply to Quebec-selected investors. However, the limit will not apply to Quebec-selected Investors.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/me...2010-06-26c.asp
Backgrounder
Frequently asked questions – Changes to federal skilled worker and investor immigration programs
On Federal Skilled Worker Program Changes
1. Who are federal skilled workers and why do we need them?
Federal skilled worker immigrants are selected based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. Canada needs federal skilled workers because they have the right mix of skills, education, and experience to meet the current and long term demands of the economy. They also have the transferable skills to adapt to a changing labour market.
2. Why are temporary foreign workers and international students no longer eligible to apply for permanent residence under the federal skilled worker program?
Temporary foreign workers and international students are still eligible to apply under the federal skilled worker category if they have an offer of arranged employment or experience in one of the 29 in-demand occupations.
However, we've removed the eligibility criterion that applied to temporary foreign workers and students specifically to avoid overlap with the now-established Canadian Experience Class and the Provincial Nominee Program, both of which target the same pool of applicants.
3. Why are you introducing a cap?
We are now receiving more federal skilled worker applications than we can process and accept each year. We have more than enough applications on hand now to fill many of our needs. A cap is the only guaranteed way to limit the number of applications we receive. Without the cap on applications, processing times will get longer and a new backlog could be created.
We will continue to admit the same number of federal skilled workers as in previous years, and in fact we believe that there will be higher economic admissions this year in support of the recovery and further reductions in the backlog.
4. Is the annual cap by calendar year, fiscal year or from the date the instructions are published?
The first year will begin on June 26, 2010 and end on June 30, 2011. Subsequent years will be calculated from July 1st to June 30th.
5. What is meant by a cap? Does that limit refer to the total number of applications received or the total number of applications processed, or the total number of applications that are successful?
The cap is a limit on the number of complete applications considered for processing. In this case, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will only consider a maximum of 20,000 complete applications under the occupation list. There is no limit to the number of applicants with a job offer. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 federal skilled worker applications per occupation will be considered for processing each year.
6. Why are you imposing a limit per occupation?
We're introducing a limit of 1,000 applications per occupation to better manage the supply of applications on the occupation list. We have seen higher than expected numbers of applicants claiming experience in eligible occupations. The limit will allow us prevent an over-representation of any one occupation on the list.
7. What will happen with applications received after the cap is reached? How will applicants know their application isn't being processed?
These applicants will be informed, in writing, that their application will not continue for processing and that their processing fees will be returned.
8. How will applications subject to new instructions be processed as compared to applications subject to the first set of instructions and the backlog?
All applications subject to ministerial instructions (everything received since February 27, 2008) will be considered for processing in the order they are received.
All federal skilled worker applications received before February 27, 2008 fall into the backlog, and will be processed concurrently with the applications received since that date (and that are subject to instructions).
9. Why are you eliminating the simplified application?
Since we changed to the simplified application we've noticed a significantly higher number of applicants withdraw when asked for their supporting documents, or full application. By eliminating the simplified application and asking for all the documentation at once, we will make processing more efficient. Eliminating the simplified application shaves 120 days off the total processing time, because this is the time we allowed applicants to send in their supporting documents.
On changes to language testing
10. What changes are you making to the language requirements?
Under the changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class, all new applicants are required to include the results of an English or French language test as part of their application.
Previously, applicants also had the option of proving their language ability via a written submission. The written submission was intended for people whose first language was English or French. However, non-native English and French speakers frequently used this option, making it difficult for visa officers to perform an accurate assessment of the applicant's true language ability. As a result CIC now only accepts designated third-party language tests as proof of language ability.
11. Are any applicants exempt from the mandatory language test? What about applicants from English or French speaking countries? Why would someone from England need to take an English test, for example?
There are no exceptions to this rule. We want to ensure that all applicants are evaluated against the same standards, no matter what their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.
12. When did this change come into effect?
The change applies to all federal skilled worker and Canadian Experience Class applications received on or after June 26th, 2010.
13. What improvements in processing times do you anticipate with this change?
Visa officers will now only spend minutes evaluating language proficiency as they will simply assign points based on the language test results. This compares to the months it takes to process an application when written evidence is provided and found insufficient.
14. What are the advantages for applicants of submitting the results of a third-party language assessment to demonstrate ability in English and/or French?
The biggest advantage for the applicant is that they will know ahead of time how their language proficiency will be evaluated. Federal skilled worker applicants will know exactly how many points they will be awarded. In addition, applicants get an objective, realistic assessment of their language ability and areas for possible improvement.
Submitting a language test is also the most efficient way to evaluate language proficiency; it speeds up application processing. Finally, many regulatory bodies and industry sectors require language testing or other proof of language assessment, so in taking the test applicants are one step further on the path to integration into the Canadian labour market.
15. Where can applicants get tested for language proficiency?
Language tests for FSW and CEC applicants are available internationally through the International English Language Testing Service and the Test d'évaluation du français. FSW applicants can also obtain a language test in Canada through the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program. More information and details on the language test requirements.
16. What is the cost of third-party language testing for applicants?
The cost of the International English Language Testing Service, the standard test for English language proficiency, ranges from a low of C$123 in Pakistan to a high of C$265 in Canada. The average price is under C$200. The costs for the Test d'évaluation du français, the standard test for French language proficiency, are similar to those of International English Language Testing Service.
On the Federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP)
17. Why are you no longer accepting new applications?
Under Canada's current criteria, the volume of applications submitted under the IIP has grown exponentially in recent years. This recent surge in applications has resulted in a rising inventory and processing times are increasing.
We are not accepting new applications until the changes are finalized as we would like to prevent a flood of applications before the new criteria take effect. The limit on investor immigrant applications is intended as a short-term measure and is not intended to stay in place indefinitely.
The province of Quebec has its own IIP and processing of applications for permanent residence for investors selected by the province will continue as usual.
18. How long will the limit be in place?
The Department will no longer accept new applications until the new regulations are approved, which is targeted for early fall 2010.
19. What happens if the regulations aren't approved? Will the limit stay in place indefinitely?
The limit is intended as a short-term measure and is not intended to stay in place indefinitely.
20. Will this affect Quebec-selected investors?
The proposed regulatory changes to the eligibility criteria would also apply to Quebec-selected investors. However, the limit will not apply to Quebec-selected Investors.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/me...2010-06-26c.asp
