The two most popular economic immigration programs in Canada are Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC) and the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. Neither program requires a Canadian job offer to be eligible to apply. The government of Canada recently announced significant changes to the FSWC, which were reported on in CIC News last month.
It is important that prospective applicants choose the program that best suits their professional strengths and their immigration goals. To help future applicants in the important decision of choosing an immigration program, CIC News presents the pros and cons of each program:
The Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Current Status: Open and Accepting Applications
Approximate Processing Time: 24 months (varies by country of application)
Visa Received: Canadian Permanent Resident Visa
General Information:
- Selection System?
- Points-based. Must receive 49 points to be eligible to submit as a single applicant, and 57 points as a couple or family.
- Intake Quota?
- No. There is currently no limit to the number of applications this program may receive.
- Eligibility?
- Yes; applicants must have a degree or diploma in one of 110 targeted areas of training/fields of study
- Language Requirements?
- In theory no, but a certain level of French may be needed to make sufficient points.
- Process?
- Two-step process. First a Quebec Selection Certificate is obtained. Next, the entire application is reviewed on a Federal level for health and security issues.
This may be a good program for you if:
- You want to become a Canadian Permanent Resident
- You intend to initially settle in the Province of Quebec
- You want to begin your application process today
- You speak French and understand French or are interested in learning
- You want to enter a strong labour market for your specific field of study
Attorney David Cohen’s opinion: “If you have experience in a targeted field of study, the QSW program will help you come to Canada with strong job prospects. Quebec is a beautiful province with a stable economy, and I encourage eligible applicants to consider this option whenever possible.”
The Federal Skilled Worker Class
Current Status: Only accepting applications with arranged employment in Canada or PhD students in Canada; new regulations are scheduled to come into force January 2013
Approximate Processing Time: Unknown (last FSWC advertised processing within 12 months)
Visa Received: Canadian Permanent Resident Visa
General Information:
- Selection System
- Points-based. Must receive a minimum of 67 out of 100 points
- Intake Quota?
- Maybe. No announcement has yet been made regarding a limit on application intake. However, the previous FSWC was capped at 10,000 applications.
- Eligibility?
- Yes; applicants must have a minimum of 1 year of skilled work experience in the preceding 10 years.
- Language Requirements?
- Yes. Applicants must pass a minimum language threshold in either English or French.
- Process?
- Direct application to a Central Intake Office in Canada.
This may be a good program for you if:
- You want to become a Canadian Permanent Resident
- You intend to initially settle anywhere in Canada outside of the Province of Quebec
- You want to prepare your application before the new regulations take effect
- You are a skilled worker whose field of study is not included in the QSW list
Attorney David Cohen’s Opinion: “Recent changes were made to many aspects of the FSWC. This means that immigrants who are accepted through this program will come to Canada better prepared to find good jobs and start a new life in the country. There is likely to be a cap on application intake, so if you are eligible to apply, it is a good idea to start building your application now and submit when the program opens.”
Regardless of which they choose, successful applicants to the FSWC and QSW programs will arrive in Canada with Permanent Resident status. The path they travel to get to Canada should be chosen with care to reflect the best interests of themselves and their families.
To find out if you are eligible for the FSWC, QSW, or any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment.
« Next Article: Important Updates on the Federal Skilled Worker Backlog Court Case
Read Previous Article »Canadian Immigration News Briefs for Mid-October 2012
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Certainly a good updated relevant information but still there is a silence before the storm in FSWC but good suggestion to be prepared well in advance before the opportunity strikes. Thanks for that.
I have applied for Canadian Migration, I got reply that your application has been accepted, will be responding you 6 to 12 months, my application is being processed from UK. I there an delay in process for this.
Interested in FSWC programme
Bonjour!
Je vous remerçi pour toutes les informations qu’on reçoit et nous mettre à jour des nouvelles mesures …
Bonne continuation
how can i get a job arranged before applying to immigration or to get work visa
where can i apply for this program
I WANT TO SUBMIT MY APPLICATION IN QUBEC-SKILLED-WORKER-PROGRAM TO GET PERMANENT RESIDENCY
Very informative news letter. I really appreciate. I will surely submit in my application for QSW.
Thank you
I’m really interested and I’d like to submit my application for QSW.
Hello Mr. Cohen,
As always, Very informative news. I have heard about your help and your excellent services all over the world also. I have a friend of mine already immigrated to Canada through your office and he told me that he got his PR visa only in 9 months and he recommended you so much. Very trusted services and a very good reputation.
Thank you so much for your effort and for keep us posted with Canada immigration news up to date.
Best regards and all my respect
Ahmad.
Finally, I am delighted about the new program
dear sir,
i got the csq in december 2010 how match i have to wait to get the medical test
regards
As always, Very informative news. I have heard about your help and your excellent services all over the world also. I have a friend of mine already immigrated to Canada through your office and he told me that he got his PR visa only in 9 months and he recommended you so much. Very trusted services and a very good reputation.
Thank you so much for your effort and for keep us posted with Canada immigration news up to date.
Best regards and all my respect
Syed Shahid Hussain Gillani
Hi
I already submitted my application for the skilled workers program and it was successful , but the immegration office informed me that my application will be on hold till the new rules will be announced in jan 2013, inspite of completing my application on july 2012.
iam worried that i will loose points in the new program .
my question is
does the new rules will be applied on the application which was arranged on 2012.
thank you so much for the very usefull newsletter
i wish to know if some one who had taken the assessment some time and pass , and now that there are a few changes is he to take it again.
Dear sir,
I have interview on october 15 in delhi , I have learned french a1 basic level, so, i can speak in average . but i can read and i can understand very well.This is enough for me or not. but , i am getting tention about interview, can i get sellection or not. How i should prepare to interview under QSW .so, please sir , can give me suggations, ideas and help to me.
Thankyou Sir,
Hi there
Your newsletters keep me so up to date.
Im just waiting for the changes by January
Did i get it correct the Quebec Skilled Workers
Programe takes 24 months to yeild?
Is it true that the spouse must take IELTS too? In what situation is this rule not applicable?
Hi there, i am in Australia on student visa,done my diploma in hospitality management , i am also working in restaurant as a chef last from 2 years , i need to know am i eligible to apply for (FSWC) program,looking forward to hear forward to hear from you thanks
Thanks for information …I m eager to get new rules in jan 2013 for QSW program..
I am eligible for QSW but I am intrested in FSWC. I am waiting till the Jan.2013 for new laws.
Why they don’t say the minimum threshold for IELTS? We are waiting, it’s an important point.
Good information to get ready ahead of time, but how we can know what will be the modifications in NOC list?
Hello, Mr Cohen,
Your newsletters helps me a lot to get more information about (QSW & FSWC).
Regards,
I would like to travel to Canada
i want this
Id like to apply for QSWP,if my expertise needs on that particular states…
After receiving CSQ, if anyone get married, is it possible to change family information before applying to federal?
hi
if i applyapply for QSWP and get accepted would it be possible to settle in another province?
I want to know is there dentist applicable for immigration in new plan?
how to get job arrangement in Canada who can employed me through internet, like economy -finished business management
hi , i applied for quebec skilled worker migration on 15/09/2012 , its around 6 months over but there is no replay/ no file number came , so me need to know that how long it will take to get a file number , thanks