FSW list of Eligible occupations April 2013

Finally, Citizenship and Immigration Canada made an official announcement about Federal Skilled Worker Program - the list of education assessment agencies and the new priority occupations. 

Back in August 2012, it was announced that the new Federal Skilled Worker Program won't be limited to particular occupations, that it will be open to applicants in NOCs 0, A and B. 



But apparently Minister Kenney changed his mind, because his current publication about the current Federal Skilled Worker program has the following highlights:

The new Federal Skilled Worker program the will start accepting new applications this coming May 4, 2013.

The List of Priority Occupations and Organizations Designated to Conduct Educational Credential Assessments for Federal Skilled Worker Program is now available in the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. 

The news release from Citizenship and Immigration Canada was posted at CIC website a few minutes ago.

To summarize, the following are the major changes and important elements that will have an effect on the application process of the new Federal Skilled Worker Program:
  • A new eligible occupations list, with a total of 24 occupations;
  • An overall cap of 5,000 new applications for all eligible occupations will be imposed, including a sub-cap of 300 new applications for each eligible occupation;
  • Four organizations have been designated to conduct educational credential assessments (mandatory for applicants submitting foreign educational credentials); and
  • Applicants must show proof that they meet the minimum threshold of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in all four language skill areas: speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension.
Those included in the 24 Priority Occupations may now start with the credentials assessment. 

24 Priority Occupations
  • 0211 Engineering managers
  • 1112 Financial and investment analysts
  • 2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
  • 2131 Civil engineers
  • 2132 Mechanical engineers
  • 2134 Chemical engineers
  • 2143 Mining engineers
  • 2144 Geological engineers
  • 2145 Petroleum engineers
  • 2146 Aerospace engineers
  • 2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers)
  • 2154 Land surveyors
  • 2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
  • 2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
  • 2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
  • 3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
  • 3142 Physiotherapists
  • 3143 Occupational Therapists
  • 3211 Medical laboratory technologists
  • 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)

Prior to this official announcement, the Immigration Minister stated via twitter message that the list of designated organizations to the assessment will be released mid of February 2013.  He also stated before that the new Federal Skilled Worker program will be open to NOCs 0, A and B and will not be limited to particular occupations.  Then again, things change and with very irregular immigration regulations and with a Minister that constantly changes his mind, all we can do is be updated and get ready.

If you are serious about your plan to live and work in Canada, you too should get ready.  There's a risk and cost considerations, of course but that is true for all Visa applications. The best that you can do is to try and minimize your risk and increase your chances for success.
We have to learn from these changes.
As you will notice the list of eligible occupations and sub cap per occupation is further reduced from the last time the Federal Skilled Worker application was open to accept applicants.
Meaning only those who are serious with their applications and has completed their requirements ahead of time can apply for the program and get a permanent Residents Visa for Canada.  
For us who wants to get a Visa for Canada, we do not have the option to question the rules they are or will be implementing; we can only adjust to meet their expectations so that we will be successful in our individual applications.
Gone is the time, when everyone is just using one application program to get a PR Visa for Canada.  

Applicants now need to consider other programs like:  
The provincial Nominee programs
Student Visa
Live in Caregiver program for Canada
Canadian Experience Class
Arranged employment offer 

As your consultant, we wish to help you achieve your dream of living and working in Canada.  Which is why, we are inviting you to visit our office so that we can discuss your plan. 

We understand that this came as a shock to you, because we were also affected in the same way. 
Some of you have already been preparing for a long time and may feel that your chances had disappeared because your occupation is not in the list. 

This is not the case, we can still apply. You still have the chance. Your efforts will only be put to waste if you decide to give up on your dreams right now.

Please visit us in the office so that we can discuss with you your current options.

CANADIAN IMMIGRATION CONSULTANCY-SM North EDSA

Address: Unit 301, 3rd Floor, NorthLink Bldg, SMNorth EDSA 1105 Quezon City, Philippines Tel No: 0917 820 2531 Email: iai@go2canada.com