In the future, Canada plans to adopt a new model of immigration known as the ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) system. The EOI system will be implemented with the intent of better targeting skilled immigrants to fill specific Canadian labour market needs. By more carefully selecting immigrants, it is expected that this system will better benefit both the Canadian economy and newcomers themselves.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) plans to implement the EOI system sometime in 2014. When that happens, it will mean significant change for a system that has been accused of rigidity and stagnation. However, with careful planning, CIC has expressed confidence that the transition to an EOI system will ultimately make Canada a leader in the global competition for the world’s most desirable immigrants.
What is an ‘EOI’ System?
Canada’s EOI model will be based on a system that was devised in New Zealand. A similar system was adopted by Australia in 2012 for its economic immigration programs.
Announcements made by CIC, as well as an analysis of the Australian system, give clues as to how an EOI model would function in Canada.
Under an EOI program, prospective immigrants first complete an online form which states their interest in becoming a permanent resident of Canada. It is important to note that an EOI is not an application for a permanent resident visa. Rather, it indicates an individual’s request to become a candidate for permanent residency.
The EOI form will include important information about the prospective applicant, such as work experience, assessed educational credentials, and proof of English/French language proficiency. In addition, EOI candidates will be ‘assigned a points score and ranked’. Not all individuals who submit an EOI application will be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency, and not all those who are invited to apply will necessarily receive a visa.
In the Australian EOI system, prospective immigrants can be found and nominated by either an Australian employer or a state/territory government. It is likely that Canada will follow a similar route.
Speaking to the Globe and Mail newspaper, Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney explained that candidates would go into a ‘pool’, from which the most desirable can be ‘fished out’ by employers and by Federal, Provincial, or Territorial governments.
Implementing the EOI System in Canada
Specific details as to how the EOI system will be implemented are forthcoming. However, it has already been announced that consultations have been held with key Federal, Provincial, and Territorial stakeholders about the system.
The EOI system has the potential to greatly assist provinces in addressing their specific labour market needs by providing their governing bodies with a range of eligible skilled professionals. This opportunity has been met with approval from many provincial stakeholders.
“Immigration is vital for economic growth and our system must be more competitive internationally,” said Stephen Khan, the Alberta Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education. “On behalf of the provinces and territories, we look forward to continuing our work with the Government of Canada to transform the immigration system, making it faster and more responsive to provincial/territorial needs.”
No announcement has been made as to how an EOI system will interact with current immigration programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker, Quebec Skilled Worker, and Provincial Nominee programs. The Federal Skilled Worker program, currently the most popular for Canadian permanent residency, is expected to begin accepting applications on May 4th, 2013.
EOI Impact for Workers
If all goes as planned, an EOI system could greatly benefit both prospective immigrants and the Canadian economy as a whole.
Most importantly, those selected for permanent residency may arrive in Canada with employment in their field already secured. This, combined with fast processing times, is a great advantage to immigrants. Says Minister Kenney, “[immigrants] would arrive in Canada as permanent residents with prearranged jobs and literally be going to work at their skill level within a few days of arrival.”
Many prospective immigrants are intimidated by the prospect of finding employment in Canada when still living abroad. The EOI model could take this element out of the equation, instead letting Canadian employers do the work of contacting those candidates they deem qualified for a certain job.
The implementation of the EOI system will be one of the final steps in Canada’s immigration system transitioning from one of inflexibility to one that can quickly address the country’s needs. As Minister Kenney has said, “this is the future as opposed to the past.”
Foreign workers need not wait for the EOI system in order to be hired by a Canadian employer and begin work in Canada. Canadavisa has put in place a free resume builder. By creating a profile, workers can be seen by Canadian companies and receive a job offer that will facilitate immigration to Canada.
To find out if you are currently eligible for one of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment.
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{ 33 comments… read them below or add one }
wow, what an insight news David. I hope everything will went fine with equitable measures for all nations belongs to different ethnics .
which all jobs comes under this EOI system. i am an MS.c nurse would like to grt pr from canada. what i should do for that
Dear,sir,
the introduced programe is very,very excellant.we need such programes which will ease us to emigrate to the home of homeless(Canada.)
What about people from regulated professions such as pharmacists, doctors etc? They cant look for job immediately while being abroad, and also the employers wont express their interest in someone who is abroad and not licensed in Canada. How will EOI benefit them?
the problem with that system is that employers in canada dont want to fish in a pool to wait 9 months for someone.. they prefer to choose who is available and that is mostly landed immigrants ready to work.. not idea but its the truth. I have a high demand profession of nursing and am a specialist in my field. No one is interested in me as it takes 9 months to sponsor via cic. The only hope is to formally immigrate and land in canada but then go back to my London job and then hope that within a year somone will be interested because I can start almost immediately. The truth also is that there are very few health care jobs these days. I recently wrote the nursing exam in BC only to find 200 other nurses doing the same. local canadians, expats from other states and immigrants. all trying desparately to find work. There are few nursing jobs and I never get a reply from any application in spite of having 3 degrees, relevant experience as a senior specialist nurse in the nhs in London (top of my field). I have little faith that the immigration levels match jobs available. SO all be careful of how much you rely on immigrating as you may have more money keeping the job that you have in your own country.
Dear Sir,
i havre a great honor to write to you to explain my great plaesure to get this new news , which
renew the hope to be one native of the great country in the world , God help us to be one of
your society to participate in the great progress and development .
Congratulation! You are doing a good job, i hope to come
Hello
How can I proceed in order to use the EOI system?
Thanks
How true that the EOI system implementation for Canada take effects this year (2013) and not 2014? Can you please confirm?
Jason Kenney is dreaming again
Attorney David Cohen,
I grew up in Detroit Michigan USA. Directly across the Detroit River from the City of Winsdor Ontario CA. I know the Windsor metro area very well. And the Toronto ON metro area very well. I am looking forward to utilizing the EOI system in 2014. I have many reasons why I believe that moving to Canada would be a good move for me.
I dont think that putting EOI will end the problem rather it will create more confusion for the people to be able to get Permanent Residency in Canada. I would suggest if they can give 6 months of work Visa to people and check their efficiency and then give them PR so as to control the number of people taking PR easily. I hope that will be the best way you can get a worthy citizen in your country.Thanks.
haaaaaaaaaaa..what a joke…I bet the list of potential applicants under EOI scheme will be such long that employer will have to dig deeper before calling someone for interview, and finally giving up and rather looking for someone in Canada with local credentials and experience. It applies to regulated occupations for sure…
The most Minister will achieve from EOI is systematic profiling of applicants from certain nationalities and weed out the ones he feels not desirable for Canada… It is called indirect discrimination as who gets in and who gets to stay out… smart move…
I like the suggestion of Mr Harshmeen Kaur
I think Canada is following blindly Newzealand and Australia.This type of system is not workable if they are creating a pool.I suppose fishing out of the pool and wait for nine or more months for fish is not favorable for employers.they ll prefer nationals instead of immigrants for ready jobs.However,there may be more clarity is required how the employer will shown their interest or pledge to grant jobs to recommended employees.it ll be helpful for all the visitors of the site,if someone give more details about the process.
Sir,
How can apply under this programe? Plz explain me
This mean that federal skilled workers program will be wrapped up in 2014 as the implementation of it is impossible. There are many unemployed people in every field in Canada so no employer will offer work visa or sponsorship to people abroad.
one disadvantage for that system is…many skilled workers maybe frustrated. Why? well because it might be hard for them to aim that band score in IELTS. For us here in the Phils.very expensive in taking IELTS exams…we have to pay for the reviews for us to be prepared to take the said examination which is “very” important. For us to be able to comply all the needed requirements. Mr. Kenney…please don’t make it hard for us to migrate in your country…God Bless Canada!!!
In my view canadian immigration proposed changes taking into effect would not produce better intake of immigrants as a person in middle age possess more professional experience which is a key role in transferring his/her expertise into reality in an unknown in a much better way. Also relaxing/ omitting english/ french language test to professional”s having their post graduate/ doctorate degree”s in english/ french help them in overcoming the present scenario. In my opinion for a highly experienced and qualified professional a more flexible immigration system should be there.
thanks
i have bsc in marketing and i want to study more.
Hi David,
Under new scheme that expected to start from 4 May 2013, which professions will be included
Will there be any new list for professions in demand or old list will be used.
Dear Sir, What a news sir, Can This EOI system will help me in future for finding job in Canada. Sir I am B.Sc. In Medical group, so please provide me detail about this.
What a great opportunity I have been waiting for!!!!!!!. Am looking forward to utilizing EOI system in 2014
Hi. its a great job, but it takes too much time in some countries to get a visa to Canada as immigrant is it not possible that work is done more quickly.
what about regulated profession like nursing…?
Oh even those who have permanent residency are suffering here in Canada and I don’t know why Canadian government does not take care those people instead of bringing foreign. Nationals
I am here in Canada with my Mother who is really vulnerable mentally and physically and I can’t get disability equipment for my Mother and I like to soothe the situation of my Mother by bringing some one who help her when I am trying to survive through the tough stories of Canada and I can do that if I bring my wife here in Canada and I can’t do that
So I wonder about those who are dreaming to come in Canada
I dont think that putting EOI will end the problem rather it will create more confusion for the people to be able to get Permanent Residency in Canada. I would suggest if they can give 6 months of work Visa to people and check their efficiency and then give them PR so as to control the number of people taking PR easily. I hope that will be the best way you can get a worthy citizen in your country.Thanks.
Please ensure it that in future we want to live Canada permanently with our family can they allow us for further stay are not.
the applications of hundreds of Iranians’ QSWP qualified in 2010 have been transferred from Ankara to Paris. About 3 years waiting for federal progress and now this change. what do you think? is it positive or negative?
thank you sir good information system . i received many information in your system
This is a really good news and I may try again. Though I have got 29 years of rich experience in banking in different fields, and, my wife has got 26 years of Govt. Job experience in Accounting field, we did not qualify. I have not lost any hope and I definitely try again in the month of May, 2013, under EOI system.
I immigrated to canada in 2011. The job market is still testing my patience. Before immigration they wouldn’t consider me because I was not in Canada and when u actually landed in Canada I was bit considered because I didn’t have the local experience. The jobs are gone in 2 days after advertisement which tells a lot about jobs availability vs. People. I absolutely love Canada but the way they manage the job market is inefficient. Let’s face it and get real this rule is not adding any value but only efficiently reducing the immigrants from the job market. Have a thought and do a comparison from the practical perspective-that would be my advice to the immigration authority.
Job market in Canada is very bad, even Canadians can’t get jobs and move abroad. Please try to arrange something before coming or bring lots of savings, cost of living is really high. So many doctors engineers accountants working at Walmart and driving cabs, please beware Canada is no paradise.