Several important question for Canada Immigration (FSWP)

[penywise]

Hello,

My common-law partner and myself are currently preparing all the necessary documentation for the Federal Skilled Workers Program. We came to a point where we have some specific questions that we couldn't find the answer to. I would like to thank you in advance for your time spent to read and hopefully reply to us!

1. Can we provide a joint bank account (of my common-law partner and myself) as a proof of funds? The joint bank account is a Deposit account and will have information showing a record for the past 3 months.

2. Do we need to keep the money in the joint bank account until the point we are (hopefully!) approved and we landed in Canada? Should we show the proof of funds (as shown on cic.gc.ca) to the authorities at the airoprt in the exact same amount? Can we use some of that money for "Canada-related-expenses", such as buying airplane tickets and/or paying for the Permanent Resident fees ($490 per person)?

3. A short summary of the above question would be - do we need $13,837 for the two of us AND additional funds apart from those for us to spend on tickets, other fees, etc?

4. So far, we gathered information that we need to send out the main applicant's education diplomas for evaluation and we found the website of World Education Services (WES.org) for that matter. Could you please let us know if could use the services of that organization in this regard?

5. There are currently 24 eligible occupations available in the FSWP (as seen on cic.gc.ca), could you please let me know what are the required documents? E.g. letter of refference from the employer?

We're looking forward to your replies!
Thank you once again!

 

[scylla]

1. Yes.
2. You should keep the funds in your account until you land. No - you should not use the funds towards buying airplane tickets and/or fees.
3. Yes.
4. Yes.
5. See the document checklist here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/skilled.asp

 

[penywise]

Thank you so much for the prompt reply!

Do you happen to know if on May 2014 some mighty new changes would arrive? For example new NOC jobs' list (like the 24 jobs available at the moment)? Or an increased amount of 'proof of funds' amounts? I can tell that these amounts are rising over the years, but... Still, there might be "some expected changes" or some place (website?) where we could check upcoming changes and prepare in advance?

I have one more question. It says on the documents pack (some for the forms) that we should use blank paper in addition and in case the provided space on that form is not sufficient enough.
Can we write with a pen on these forms? Should we write and fill them "only on computer" and then print them? Can we do it both ways - pen and computer? We thought it would look rather messy if made it "both ways", but the place is not sufficient enought really...

Thanks again!

 

[scylla]

Expect it to be quite a number of months before information for next year is released. So no - there is nowhere you can look now to check the rules for next year. Note that there is a decent chance that starting next year, the process will be employer driven similar to Australia's. This will likely make it harder to qualify.

Sure - you can write in pen if you want to. But it's always preferable to type things out.

 

[penywise]

Oh, wow...

Does this mean that there is no point of preparing any documents at the moment? We might not need IELTS, diploma assessment and we might not need filling all the documentation, as it could be completely changed after a few months?

I can't quite understand why would FSWP be changed and made more complicated than it already is, when other countries (UK, Ireland, etc) are completely removing work visas and permits...

We tried looking for a job in Canada from our country and the results were kind of expected - no employer would engage himself with hiring someone from the other side of the world, provided that he would have to wait for his presumable arrival within the next 6-12 or even more months. Employers can't predict what might they need as a work force after more than a year from now, any employer would prefer a local worker who can start immediately.

Anyway, my bottom line question is, should we focus on fulfilling the current requirements (IELTS, dimpoma assessment, the current forms to be filled, etc) or should we wait a few months, as it might all be changed by then?