When the Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) reopens, it will include a number of important changes. The changes to the program are scheduled to come into force on January 1st, 2013. They were created so that immigrants who gain Permanent Residency through the FSWC will be better prepared to find work and settle into Canadian society.
In this article, CIC News explores the logic behind the new changes, as well as how the FSWC will help immigrants come to Canada with brighter futures than ever before.
The FSWC – What Needed to Change
In 2011, 37% of economic immigrants to Canada were admitted via the FSWC. This makes the FSWC the largest Canadian immigration program available today.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is committed to ensuring that FSWC immigrants, like all newcomers to Canada, are well prepared to thrive in their new home. However, a 2010 review of the FSWC discovered that 22% of immigrants were not satisfied with their jobs in Canada. To find out why this was the case, CIC conducted extensive research into why some immigrants were not succeeding in Canada, and how this could be solved.
CIC pinpointed a number of areas where the immigration process could be improved. These included better assessing language proficiency and educational credentials, re-evaluating Canadian and foreign work experience, and focusing on younger workers with essential skills. It was determined that the FSWC system needed revision to improve these areas and help applicants with the potential to make the most out of their immigration to Canada.
“Our government has a plan for a faster, more flexible, responsive, and secure immigration system that will better meet Canada’s economic needs while continuing to uphold our humanitarian commitments,” explained Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. “With our changes, immigrants will see their lives improve, and Canadians will see the economy grow”.
The Logic Behind Important Changes
Changes to the FSWC were made with the best interests of both immigrants and the Canadian economy in mind. Some of the changes that will most benefit immigrants in Canada are explained below:
Requiring a minimum level of language proficiency
- Problem: CIC studies showed that an immigrant who does not proficiently speak one of Canada’s official languages (English or French) experienced great difficulty finding jobs and integrating into Canadian society
- Solution: All applicants to the FSWC will be required to prove their proficiency in an official language. Those who do not meet minimum proficiency standards will not be eligible to apply.
- Benefit: An applicant who receives a visa through the new FSWC program will arrive in Canada with the language skills and confidence needed to find a good job and quickly be able to make friends.
Requiring a foreign credentials assessment
- Problem: Some new immigrants had difficulty finding jobs because Canadian employers did not understand the value of their foreign educational credentials
- Solution: Applicants to the FSWC will have to have their educational credentials assessed by a third party designated by the Canadian government
- Benefit: Upon arrival to Canada, immigrants will be able to demonstrate to future employers exactly what their education is equivalent to in Canada. This will help them more quickly find employment that fits their skills.
Placing a stronger emphasis on younger workers
- Problem: Older workers often had difficulty adapting to Canada, and retired soon after finding a Canadian job
- Solution: The FSWC points system has been restructured to award younger applicants
- Benefit: Young professionals who are admitted to Canada can look forward to a long future of working and living in the country. The Canadian economy benefits by gaining workers who will contribute for many years to come.
These are just a few of the changes that will come into effect when the FSWC reopens. Future applicants who are accepted under the new system can look forward to greater opportunities for work and settlement in Canada.
“The FSWC is changing according to what we now know works best for immigrants and for Canada,” says Attorney David Cohen. “Potential applicants who think they would be a good fit are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later, as this new system is sure to be extremely popular and very likely will have a global cap on the number of applications accepted.”
Canadian immigration is designed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement whereby immigrants can transform their lives and the country can gain valuable new Canadian Permanent Residents. The changes to the new FSWC are crafted to ensure that both immigrants and Canadians continue to prosper from the immigration system.
To find out whether you may be eligible to apply to the revised FSWC, or one of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment.
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
Sir i have applied in skilled category in 2006 and still waiting for the immigration, i would like toknow if there is still hope or just have to drop the dream.please let me the real scene. Thanks
Dear David cohen, this is a very important question, I am a principal applicant to federal skilled workers program and my application is yet to be submitted, as required, the result of my IELTS was included in my application package scheduled to be submitted by january 2013. Now, because of the new changes to the program, is my spouse now required to also write the IELTS exam?
Thanks
Does it mean, we really need to take EILTS? Or a certification from the school where we graduated are enough to assess our proficiency in English language?
If we plan to get a crash course in French, do we still need to take an exam or a certification of completion from the short course will do?
Hello.
I´m planning to apply to the FSWP, I know I qualify because you already gave me some assessment regarding that some time ago, but I also have someone willing to help me in that process. That one is the owner of a granite and natural stone shop. This person said he may request me directly by a letter or something like that, of course after following the proper procedure. Would a direct request be faster or more convenient? or in any case, would this help in any way to my plans of migrate to Canada? Thanks in advance for your help.
P.S. Let me state also that my plans do not include to request any financial assistance or become any burden to the Canadian government.
Dear Sir,
DO you think in the coming year INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY will be the part of NFSWP?
Dear Sir,
You have mentioned in your newsletter, “Potential applicants who think they would be a good fit are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later,…”. How we can apply before the official announcement? Further, as indicated, credential evaluation would be must for the revised program, in such a scenario, how to move ahead before official directions?
Please advice.
Warm Regards
Camy
teacher profetion is in skilled labour?
Good Morning,
Thank you for your regular update from time to time. Having learnt so much from your regular newsletter, in my opinion i think it might be necessary to come in as a FSWC ( federal Skilled Worker Class), my question here is how do I get started ? and how long will the immigration process take ?
Thanks , your swift response will be highly appreciated !
Regards
Olayinka Olaniyi
Thank you and I find it very informative and self explanatory. I will keep in touch for my specific questions.
Tekeba Eshetie (PhD)
Bonjour!
Mon commentaire est simple , je vous remercie pour tout ce que vous êtes entrain de faire.
Bonne continuation
Nice Article
i want to have a visa to work in canda
thank you
I like working and living in Canada and wish to accept my request
what about the occupations? Any changes to the 29 NOC list to give hope to those who previously did not qualify because of occupation?
Good support.As an african,i need to study and get an international accolade to be of relevance in Canada.I got a huge interest,all i need is the surpport to get there.
Thanks.
This is a good development and I think these changes may not be a way to shot the door of canada to most people and also to close the door to those older and qualified individauls who have the interest to come to Canada.You may please update your puplic on this issues.
Thank you
thanks for giving this type of informatic mail which wl help me to go further disicion
What about the Skill occupation list, there were only 29 categories before the pause in list A, is there any possibility to increase or add some criteria from list B and C ?????
what about canadian experiance?
will it be among the changes ?
I’m a little bit of discourage of the said new changes because right now I am already 42 years old and according FSWC that they are looking for younger skilled migrants.In this case, I am confuse if I will continue my interest to live and work in Canada specially I’m still unmarried.At present, I am working here in Saudi Arabia as a Maintenance Technician in Carpentry,Welding and Plumbing in some residential and commercial here in Dammam and have a plan to migrate in Canada in the early months of 2014.In this issue of new changes,what is the maximum age required or eligible to apply for a skilled visa?
i like canada
Dear David, I am presently awaiting for the FSW program which will out early January. I presently hold a bachelor degree from the UK, I will like to know if I will need to evaluate my transcript to add to the other document which I will need to summit in January. Secondly, I am presently, undertaking a Masters degree still in the UK but I will not have terminated this program before I submit my FSW application. What document to recommend I need to use for my application since I would have a transcript or certificate by January?
Thanks for your update
what is the level of english proficiency (ILETS) required ON FSWP. With much regards
Hi,
I have a family member who wants to sponsor elder family because most of them leave in Canada. How is the family reunion process at this moment?
Thank you Sir for the useful information. I applied a year ago in FSW. I got an e-mail to update schedule A form, i did it. how long would it take now? how can i know which province would be better for settlement.
Thank you I appreciate this new developement to be in Canada having permanant residency an individual is in a better position to find a jobe in Canada rather than outside and non resident
What are the NOC O, A and B lists?
Instead of getting new applicants, Jason Kenney can work on files prior to Feb 2008.
He really respects human rights!
hi sir, i have applied under federal investor class in 2009, still waiting for my turn…pls let me know the real situation…..whether we ll ever migrate to canada or not…and how much will it take???? thanks.
Hi… wow thank you for the infos….. but can you provide us the IELTS band score needed for the FSW application…. please elaborate the score for listening, reading, writing and speaking… thank you…
do u think the accepted occupation list will be revised, it will be expanded or squeezed ?
i want to go to canada.
Hi David Cohen,
There are 2 types of IELTS. Academic and General. For Skilled workers, what will i be taking ? Academic or General? and also will my wife(depedent) also take the IELTS exam?
Thanks much
Scott
Hello Sir,
I want to ask when can i apply for the FSKW?
Thank you,
Regards
I wish to get the Immigration of Canada
I like canada its really nice and good country
Thanks for your help,
I was in Canada in visit visa, and I established a business with a Canadian partner 5 months ago, So, I went to Immigration office in Winnipeg, to ask what are the requirement to apply for work permit, unfortunately the conclusion of all there dialogs was given a very low percent of chances to have a work permit on that company and till know I did not do anything about it .
thanks david for the regular and informative newslaters, just want to find out my chances of getting a job in canada should i b offered the immigration visa under the federal and skilled worker category,
am a medical doctor currently practicing in nigeria with relevant credentials to this effect, should i be given the visa what are my chances of working in canada as a doctor or other related health care professions
thanks david.
scott beltran I think there is an essential diffrence in these 2 types of IELTS exam.
If you wanted to get education after arrival, you would need the academic, conversly if you needed only just a work opportunity in this case you should choose the general.
beautiful climate of canada; i love it.
I applied in 2007 does it mean my application will be cancelled and my money returned
is CIC cancelling all applications before 2008?
Hello Sir,
I want to ask you will there be a cut off for the Ilets for FSWC. or a min required band requirment to apply.
Thank you,
Regards
sir, what are the expected professional categories under FSWC 2013
Hi David Cohen,
There are 2 types of IELTS. Academic and General. For Skilled workers, what will i be taking ? Academic or General? and also will my wife(depedent) also take the IELTS exam?
I am interested in acquiring a work permit. How can I get in contact with those who have jobs available but no-one interested in them? Is there one particular website where these jobs are posted?
Wt new about federal court order and ilets update?
dear sir: i like canada and i want to live in canada with my family
Can I show 2 ielts test result to claim maximum points in each module? e.g, in first test i got 5 in Listening but in other modules are over 6.5, but in my 2nd test listening score is 7 and writing is 6.
So, can i claim best band by showing both result?
Hi there
I need to ask you about the assessment of educational credentials, since it was mentioned that foreign credentials assessment is needed upon arrival to Canada. So this is giving me a sense that soon after applying for immigration process, we need to send our documents for assessment? Is this the case?
waiting for your acknowledgement?
Seema
Hi, My online satus shows….. what normally result are coming
“We started processing your application on July 19, 2005.
We transferred your application to the London England office on September 29, 2010. The London England office may contact you.
A decision has been made on your application. The office will contact you concerning this decision. “
Dear sir,
My question is that,as I have everything going on for me in terms of points and age and IELTS and whatnot,whether the cook category will unveil itself or not in the coming occupation list because,if not so,I won’t be able to apply, as I have my elligible skill only in this field,even after having been made perfectly suitable a candidate from the change point system.
Regards,
Bishnu Neupane
Hello Sir,
I am from India.
I had applied for The Quebec Skilled Worker Program.
What is process time for it and upto what time duration I must have to stay in Quebec after arriving in Quebec.
Hello sir
I have one question if i have 4 bands in IELTS then i can get work visa for a Canada but in speaking module i have 5 bands. Please reply me sir.
Thank you
the new changes in the policy seems helpful but I think there is a lot more needed to be done to improvise the networking between locals and new immigrants because even after having high scores in IELTS and being young, its difficult for new immigrants to socialise with locals and gain better job opportunities, here I have a thought that there should be proper socialising events where locals and new immigrants both should take part and these events should be engineered in such a way that new immigrants are acknowledged by locals with open hearts and minds. These events should emphasis on building healthy relationships between locals and new immigrants. Unfortunately, in Canada also every institution advise new immigrants to built their own community networking/relationships and as a matter of fact that’s mainly the way new immigrant manage to get a job, however if you see this scenario on a big canvas, everyone is Canadian but still every one is divided within Canada with the “tag” of this community and that community and to a greater extent, this reality creates much hindrance for new immigrants to socialise and gain better jobs and have better living standards even after having big lots of skills and qualification from back home. Let me share something really strange that a guy who have done PhD Chemistry from Australia is driving a cab.