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Changes to Skilled Worker Immigration Categories Announced

UPDATE:  JUNE 2010

New changes announced for the Skilled Worker Immigration to Canada program. Therefore some of the information below may be outdated.

For the most current information go to our new blog here

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In order to address the growing backlog of immigration applications and labour market shortages,  Immigration Minister Kenney announced an  Action Plan for Faster Immigration today.

High-demand Skilled Worker Immigration Categories

The plan includes issuing instructions to visa officers reviewing new federal skilled worker applications to limit their processing to candidates who:

The list of 38 occupations was developed after consultations with the provinces and territories, business, labour and other stakeholders.  Retroactive to February 27, 2008, new federal skilled worker applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be processed, and the application fee will be fully refunded.

“The eligibility criteria apply only to new federal skilled worker applicants and will not affect Canada’s family reunification or refugee protection goals,” said Minister Kenney.

Applicants who are now no longer eligible for the federal skilled worker category (because of the restriction of occupations) may qualify under another category, such as the Provincial Nominee Program, or as temporary foreign workers, which could then put them on a path to permanent residency through the new Canadian Experience Class.

Minister Kenny says that new federal skilled worker applicants, including those with arranged employment, should now receive a decision within six to 12 months compared with up to six years under the old system.

The 38 Qualifying Occupations, or Skilled Worker Immigration Categories are listed below:

  1. 0111: Financial Managers

  2. 0213: Computer and Information Systems Managers

  3. 0311: Managers in Health Care

  4. 0631: Restaurant and Food Service Managers

  5. 0632: Accommodation Service Managers

  6. 0711: Construction Managers

  7. 1111: Financial Auditors and Accountants

  8. 2113: Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists

  9. 2143: Mining Engineers

  10. 2144: Geological Engineers

  11. 2145: Petroleum Engineers

  12. 3111: Specialist Physicians

  13. 3112: General Practitioners and Family Physicians

  14. 3141: Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists

  15. 3143: Occupational Therapists

  16. 3142: Physiotherapists

  17. 3151: Head Nurses and Supervisors

  18. 3152: Registered Nurses

  19. 3215: Medical Radiation Technologists

  20. 3233: Licensed Practical Nurses

  21. 4121: University Professors

  22. 4131: College and Other Vocational Instructors

  23. 6241: Chefs

  24. 6242: Cooks

  25. 7213: Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades

  26. 7215: Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

  27. 7217: Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews

  28. 7241: Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)

  29. 7242: Industrial Electricians

  30. 7251: Plumbers

  31. 7252: Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers

  32. 7265: Welders and Related Machine Operators

  33. 7312: Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics

  34. 7371: Crane Operators

  35. 7372: Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction

  36. 8221: Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying

  37. 8222: Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

  38. 9212: Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities

NOTE: the occupations above are all Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification list.

Any information provided here does not constitute legal advice and is intended for general information only. Should you require legal advise, you are encouraged to contact a lawyer directly. All blog postings are public and are not subject to solicitor/client confidentially

Posted on by in CANADA VISA NEWS, Canadian Work Permits, Canadian work visa

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16 Responses to “Changes to Skilled Worker Immigration Categories Announced”

  1. sameer December 4, 2008 5:16 am
    #

    Hi, I’m Sameer. Me and my wife, both want to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence under the Federal Program in Canada. My wife she is a primary teacher here with more than four year of experience and got double bachelor’s degree. I have more than 10 yrs. experience in media and I have completed a bachelor degree and post graduation diploma in mass communication. I want to know whether we are eligible to get the PR in Canada or not.
    Waiting for your reply soon.

    Thanks and Regards,
    Sameer
    sameer77in@rediffmail.com
    +919988901980

  2. Michael Niren December 6, 2008 9:42 am
    #

    Hello Sameer
    Based on the new changes to the Skilled Worker category, you and your wife may have difficulty qualifying for Permanent Residence to Canada. However, in order to properly assess your case, you should consult with a qualified immigration lawyer directly. Only this way, can you really determine if you qualify.
    Michael Niren

  3. Balveer kaur December 8, 2008 8:01 am
    #

    I am a registered nurse. I want to know if I am eligible for skilled worker immigration to canada.
    Thanks

  4. Michael December 8, 2008 7:01 pm
    #

    Hello
    As a RN, your occupation is on the occupation list so you may be eligible for Skilled Worker immigration. However, there are other criteria to consider. You can submit your resume to us and we can evaluate whether you qualify or not.

  5. Masood December 10, 2008 12:27 am
    #

    Sir.I applied for canadian immigration in nov 2005.
    what effect action plan of new poilcy will on my case.
    can i do the stop my case and apply for new category?
    thanks.

  6. Sunil Khullar December 10, 2008 2:08 am
    #

    Hi, I am 31 years old Indian. Presently serving in Government Sector. I am Personal Assistant to Commissioner in Local Government Department. A commissioner is an IAS rank officer. I am in govt. job for the last 12 years. My wife is home maker. Can I be eligbile to apply for Canada PR, and on what basis.

  7. Rohan December 22, 2008 6:18 pm
    #

    I am a Manufacturing Engineer working in a OEM Industry in USA with more than 3 yrs of experience and have Master’s Degree in USA..
    Am I eligible to apply for the Permanent Resident Card?

  8. Amit December 25, 2008 12:55 am
    #

    Dear Sir,

    I have been working in Canada on a temporary work permit for the past 4 months in the field of finance. I wanted to know:
    1. Will I be eligible to apply for a PR through Federal Skilled Worker Class or through Canada Experience Class?
    2. DO i get a preference based on which skill type (manager or professional or technical) I belong to?

    Thanks,
    Amit

  9. niaz ali December 28, 2008 6:59 pm
    #

    hi i am illegel in usa .i have mba degree from pakistan i have 4 years exp. my wife have also master degree in education .she is living in pakistan.can i quilify for canadian immigration.

  10. Harjipreet Kaur December 31, 2008 7:00 pm
    #

    Respected sir/madam
    I have done master’s degree in arts and batchlor of education and also have two years diploma in cutting tailoring and embroidery from technical board of education with 7-8 years of experience(as a tailor)in india and i m a student in australia at present.My husband’s aunt is canadian permanent residant.That’s why i want to know taht can i apply under skilled worker catagory or any ather catagory for canadian permenent residency?

  11. Ajay SIngh December 31, 2008 10:11 pm
    #

    Hi,

    I am into Sales and marketing and having total 15 yeras of experience (in communications), My wife has done fashion designing from a reputed institution so do i qualify under new skilled permanent residency programme.

    Regards

    Ajay Singh

  12. Zahid Hussain January 10, 2009 6:28 pm
    #

    Dear Sir/Madam,
    This is Zahid. I have done my bachelor’s in Computer Science (Major. Software Engineering). I have had 2 years of working experience as an IT officer. I live in Pakistan. I want to know whether I am eligible to get the PR in Canada or not.

    Awaits your reply

    Regards,
    Zahid

  13. Jaskarn Singh Kaler January 13, 2009 8:24 am
    #

    Hi Sir/Madam , I am master’s degree holder in Arts stream and also I have a B.Ed degree ( in M.Ed), and have more than 5 years of teaching experience at College level (teacher training college). My spouse also has a Master’s degree in Arts and B.Ed degree with two years experience of teaching. Am I eligible for Permanent Residence of Canada with my family? I have also sufficient funds to show.

  14. Irfana March 2, 2009 8:17 am
    #

    Dear Sir/Madam,
    This is Irfana . My husband have done my Masters ’s in Computer Science .He has 15 years of working experience as an IT manger . We live in Pakistan. I want to know whether my husband eligible to get the PR in Canada with my family ?

  15. epirot March 12, 2010 3:51 pm
    #

    I am looking for an Attorney to represent me.
    Does you company only advise or do you also represent people who want to emigrate to Canada?

  16. Michael Niren March 16, 2010 1:52 pm
    #

    Hello
    Our law firm does indeed represent applicants wishing to apply for Canadian immigration. You can contact us for a consultation at 416 410 7484 or email us at info@visaplace.com

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