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CIC News / 2014 / August / Federal Skilled Worker Program Remains Open After Quebec Program Reaches Cap

Federal Skilled Worker Program Remains Open After Quebec Program Reaches Cap

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The announcement earlier this month that the cap for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program had been reached for this most recent application cycle was a disappointment for many potential applicants, but a silver lining has appeared in the form of the federal economic immigration programs.

The principal alternative immigration program for individuals who hoped to apply under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program is the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Like the Quebec Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Worker Program is based upon an individual’s human capital. This means that an applicant does not require a job offer in order to be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada. Applications made under the Federal Skilled Worker Program are thus assessed based on an applicant’s ability to become economically established once they immigrate to Canada. These applications do not require sponsorship from an employer nor a relative in Canada.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program will take in 25,000 applicants, plus their dependents, to Canada under this application cycle. They will arrive in Canada as permanent residents. These 25,000 places are spread across 50 occupations that are deemed by the federal government to be in demand by employers. There is a cap of 1,000 places for each occupation, and some of these caps are filling up quickly. Persons who were hoping to apply to the Quebec Skilled Worker Program but missed out should note that the list of occupations under the Federal Skilled Worker Program differs from the Quebec program. Consequently, it is important to check which occupations remain open. Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) applicants must:

  • Have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of the aforementioned 50 eligible occupations; and
  • Pass a minimum threshold of language ability for one of Canada’s two official languages (English/French).

Furthermore, the cap of 25,000 does not apply for applicants who:

  • Qualify for Arranged Employment with a Labour Market Impact Assessment and a full-time, permanent job offer from a Canadian employer; or
  • Have completed a PhD in Canada, or have completed two years of study in Canada towards a PhD, in both cases at a recognized institution. There is a cap of 500 in place for this stream.

In addition, Federal Skilled Worker applicants must attain at least 67 points based on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) immigration selection factors. Nobody is exempt from the language testing requirement, so passing one of the language tests recognised by CIC as soon as possible is paramount.

Aside from the Federal Skilled Worker Program, potential applicants may still apply under this Quebec immigration program if the applicant has received a written offer of employment from a Quebec employer.

“The comforting prospect for persons who wished to apply under the Quebec Skilled Worker Program is that the door to Canada may not be closed to them, though their route may now be more complicated,” said Attorney David Cohen.

“The applicant can wait until the next application cycle of the Quebec program, but that entails the risk of the program being changed and his or her eligibility being placed in jeopardy. The no-risk solution is to explore other avenues and access sound information on all the immigration programs that are open currently.”

The Quebec Skilled Worker Program has proven to be a popular route to Canada for many immigrants. Along with the Federal Skilled Worker Program, these programs represent two of the most favoured ways to immigrate to Canada. There are, however, more than 60 immigration programs offered by the federal government and provinces.

New rules regarding the intake of and processing of new applications for the Quebec Skilled Worker Program will come into effect on April 1, 2015.

To find out if you are eligible for one of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, please fill out a free online assessment today.

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Comments

  1. I want to apply

  2. I am really thankful to you for the time to time updation about the Canada immigration changes.

  3. Dentist from India. With 3 years of experience.

  4. Checking to know if I qualified for this program.

  5. Iam a veterinarian studied in a Russia. I am very much interested to work in Canada.

  6. Thank you

  7. How long is the processing time after a complete application has been sent

  8. I have an potential intention to go to Canada, how it works?

  9. immigration to canada

  10. j ai l honneur de venir tres respectuesement au sain de votre service de bien vouloir accepter mon immigration au canada ou bien quebec dans l attente une reponse favorable

  11. may you can help to inform if there are possibility of immigration for me and my family to canada > thank you very much

  12. Good news for everyone to be FSW in Quebec, I want to apply.

  13. If someone have certificate of french then english is obligatory or not ? & which level of french required for application in federal programe .

  14. Am i eligible of working in Canada? I am a PHD student in Business Administration

  15. I have one year experience in mechanical engineering

  16. after completion of the process, can the principal travel alone for the dependents to join him later?

  17. Thank you very much for valuable information.

  18. I notice that there are Psychologists on the 50 occupations list. I am a Social Worker ,would i be legible to apply as well.

  19. i want to migrate to canada with my family

  20. hi

  21. Are Social workers also able to apply in the federal skilled worker category

  22. I would like know if I have possibility to work in Canada. I’m registered nurse,I work in intense care and I’m teacher in the medical school. THANK YOU

  23. I’m a professional driver and mechanic. I would like to know if I have possibility to work in Canada

  24. good day sir how can i get and qualified in your program where can i apply as a skilled worker in your country im interested in your program hope you can help me thank you.

  25. je suis a la recherche du boulot au canada

  26. I will be glad if i can be one of them

  27. thank you

  28. I am doing ESL teaching in CHina. Do i qualify to apply as a skilled worker at Quebec ?

  29. have there any type family visa in canada

  30. i will be happy to visit canada one day

  31. Dear Sir,

    I have achieved the point 69. I want to know that could I aply for immigraton. My spouse passport is official. Could I apply.

    Thank you

    Md. Shahid

  32. Please what are the occupations that are qualify for canada immigration programs?

  33. Hello!
    Could you explain for me one point from your article?
    “This means that an applicant does not require a job offer in order to be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada. ” -this point I have found in your article only. On CIC there is no such information. Where is the secret?
    Best regards.
    Alexandr

  34. There is a link in the first bullet point of the article.

  35. Thank you, I am looking into the options I can be eligible by. But as you have told me before I am a fresh graduate and I need at least a year of experience so I am leaning more towards scholarships. Thanks again

  36. I want to know what is the minimum score of Ielts degree?

  37. I mean the minimum score for federal skill worker category?

  38. how would i know that am qualify

  39. I want to immigration to Canada I’m In Iraq
    Iraq is not good please answer me quickly
    Wat I do to immigration to Canada?

  40. Is there chance for Dental surgeon BDS for imigration

  41. what is the minimum requirement of IELTS bands for canada?

  42. Thanks a lot for updating. Can I qualify for Saskatchewan provice nominee?

  43. i will be glad if i can get canada visa ……i av bn tryn my best since 6yrs and noting Gud came in…bt now i put my hope on ds

  44. Thanks for the update of the Canada immigration

  45. This message is really useful for everyone who like to immigrate to canada.

  46. HI
    Thank you for the update

  47. i love canada, thanks a lot

  48. Please iam so happyto know about your programm for nurses in the world.
    I am a nurse by profession and want your people to give details on the qaulification and proceduce because Iam interested to serve in canada as a nurse.

  49. i want to immagration to canada

  50. i want migrate to quebec from india(punjab) with family please suggest me, thanks

  51. thank you for your valuable informations

  52. I hope I will get work visa for Canada because now I am with right person

  53. I am a registered nurse ,and interested to work in canada

  54. I interested to works in Canada

  55. thanks for updating news.when will be opened quebec skillworker and entrepreneur?

  56. I am a Banker my total experience 8 years ,and interested to work in canada

  57. I am a student. i want to higher education in Canada.

  58. I’m a graduate of public Administration,(B.sc) had no experience but had been runing my personal business, i write to know whether i’m qualify for Canadian immigration it.

  59. I want to immagration to canada for studying me and my family

  60. Im a Heavy Mobile Plant graduate and spent 4 years of apprentice and have a licence for a mobile plant too.i work as a mechanic and a driver for 3 years now.I write to know whether i’m qualify for Canadian immigration.thank you

  61. i’m interested to work in canada and to serve the country with my knowledge and understanding thanks

  62. i have passed three yr diploma in electrical engg. after matric class . i have two yr work experience and ielts 5 band tell me that can i apply for canada ….

  63. Hi,besides my educational career I have done a lot vocational training such as tilling,painting and agriculture.Am I legible to apply?

  64. thanks for you’re kind information. i m 31 years old working as a RN India since 6 years, wants to apply. but i m unable to proceed before 2nd of November, tell me about the success rate. furthermore can i apply under LPN category . waiting for yours valuable opinion.

  65. i have a HIGHER teacher’s TRAINING CERTIFICATE(DIPES1 equivalent to a bachelors degree),a full time bachelors degree.I taught for three years and am back to school to grasp DIPES 2 (professional masters in education).
    am i now qualified?

  66. Can a college lecturer application under 4011 category in FSW 2014

  67. Hi I m RN in India with 4+ year experience and I have my WES report done which says 3year hospital study and training I wonder I how many points I ll get because people are confusing me saying I ll not get any points for mu education which is 3 year diploma in nursing. Please help me….thanks

  68. I will be very grateful if my qualification as a teacher in economics will be given a chance(opportunity) to impact and transform many Canada citizens.

  69. thank you for opening a site that will enable us to gain experience from canada so tat we come to apply it back home as we leave our experiences behind with you.