In May earlier this year, applications were first accepted for a new program allowing individuals who intend to work and settle in the country to acquire permanent residency status. The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program began with a cap of 25,000 applicants, with a total of 1,000 applications allowed for each occupation – a significant increase from the previous year.
For individuals looking for permanent residency in Canada, the FSW program’s increased quota was fantastic news, with many more given the chance to make a life for themselves in the country.
Accountants required
Accountants are particularly in demand Canada at the moment. The government is encouraging accountants from overseas to try and fill the current gap in the labor market.
In order to be an accountant in the country, you must possess the necessary certification. However, if you do not currently possess this particular certification, you can still enroll in a certification program.
Other options for accountants
There are other potential options for overseas accountants to come to Canada, including the Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs). This will involve applicants going through the assessment process using the same points system from 2013 – all you really need is one year of work experience relating to your field in order to be eligible.
Job offers
You may be eligible FSW program where a job offer is not essential, but all provinces also have what are known as provincial programs for those who have received a full-time permanent job offers in the area. Doing this would also mean your application would be fast-tracked, allowing you to live and work in the country a lot sooner.
Family
Numerous provincial programs allow for those with family in Canada but who are also not eligible to be sponsored under the Federal Sponsorship program.
Study
Some PNPs moreign students who have since graduated having completed a post-secondary program in Canada could also be eligible to apply for permanent residency, whether or not they have a job offer. A lot of these foreign students may also be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class within a year of living and working in Canada, but also applying for PNPs could allow them to gain their permanent residency statuses faster.
Business
Some PNPs apply to individuals looking to start up a business venture in Canada, or make an investment into an existing venture. Minimum investments and net worth tends to vary depending on the PNP you apply to.
Are you Interested in the Federal Skilled Worker Program
With so many ways for accountants to gain permanent residency in Canada, now’s the perfect time to find out if you can apply. If you’re an accountant who might be interested in applying to the Federal Skilled Worker program, or may be eligible for a PNP, contact the team at VisaPlace today. Use the online form to book an initial consultation and find out more about how our services could benefit you. We’ll be happy to help.
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
