Federal Skilled Worker
Canada welcomes thousands of skilled workers from around the world every year. The aim is to attract people with education and employment skills and who are able to become successfully established in Canada.
Canada has become the destination of choice for many immigrants because it is a country of incredible resources, vast geography, diverse peoples, abundant opportunities, accessible health and social services, and because of its proximity to the United States.
On 28th June 2002 and amended on 18th Sep. 2003 Canadian immigration regulations underwent major changes since their implementation in the late seventies. On the other hand, immigration quota was increased from 225,000 to 250,000 and for the coming years up to 300,000 per year, which is 1% of the total Canadian population.
The old Canadian immigration regulations, which were first implemented in 1993, were very lenient. The Canadian government has decided to apply the new stricter selection criteria, which came into force on June 2002, to all applications filed after 1st January 2002.
Skilled workers are persons who can become permanent residents of Canada because they have the ability to become economically established in Canada. Unlike the old Occupation Demand List, the new regulations stipulate that applicants under any occupation category, which requires at least a post secondary education and / or training, can qualify to apply for immigration to Canada provided they obtain 67oints out of 100 points based on the following six criteria:
- Education
- Language Ability
- Work Experience
- Age
- Arranged Employment
- Adaptability
Apart from obtaining the required 67 points, the applicants must also have:
- Minimum of one year of work experience in the last 10 years and must have been paid for that job
- Must have a minimum fund to settle in Canada
- Must take the IELTS English test or in the alternate provide proof of proficiency in the English Language
- Must pass medical and security clearance tests
- Must pay visa fees of $550 CD per adult and $150 CD per child under the age of 22 years and Right of Permanent Resident of $975 CD per adult before issuance of final visa
Notes:
- Children under the age of 22 years, unmarried and dependent on their parents, can be included in the application
- Once visa is issued, the applicant must travel within the given time frame to Canada
- To maintain immigration status applicants must stay physically for at least 2 years in a 5- year period in Canada
- Application for Canadian citizenship can be made after three years of stay in Canada
- Canadian Citizens do not require a visa to visit the USA but Permanent Resident must obtain a valid visa to visit the USA
- Canadian Ctizens working in certain professions need only a TN1 visa to work in USA, which can be obtained through a very simple process.
- Free medical care for all family members and free public school education and reduced fees for university education are some of the perks of becoming a Canadian permanent resident.
Immigration Process for Independent class
- Client provides information and assessment is done.
- If the assessment is positive, a contract to retain our services is signed with the client. A retainer must be paid to the firm by the client at this time.
- The client is provided with a list of supporting documents to be collected and forms that must be completed in draft form and returned to our office in Canada. If necessary, the client will be contacted for more information and / or missing documents.
- Once the application is ready, it is sent to the Canadian immigration office along with visa fees of $550 CD per applicant and $150CD for each member of the family included in the application. Under the new rules, applications cannot be filed in any country other than the country of residence.
- File number is received within 4-5 months time.
- Interview letter is received within 24-36 months depending on the country where application is filed.
- If the client passes the interview, the immigration office will issue a medical in few weeks which the client must undergo in his / her country of residence. The same applies to all family members included in the application.
- Applicant must also provide a Police Clearance Certificate.
- Once the client has passed both these tests, the final visa will be issued which is stamped on the passports sent to the CHC office.
- Once the client comes to Canada, he will receive a Pink Card (similar to the Green Card of USA) within two weeks time.
- Social Insurance Number and Medicare card is received within 4-6 weeks after application is made in Canada.
- Under the new rules, immigration applications cannot be filed in any country other than the country of residence unless the applicant has a valid work permit for more than one year to work in that country.
To calculate points click here.
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