CIC improves processing times and application system

(Source: ViV Consulting)

Starting October 2008 federal skilled worker category applications will be processed by a centralized intake office in Sydney, Nova Scotia. This will ease the workload in Canada’s visa offices and help reduce wait times. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will evaluate this initiative after 18 months and will adjust, if needed.

Other measures to reduce processing time and address the immigration backlog, according to CIC:

1. Sending more staff in visa offices where processing time are longest

2. Redistributing work from busy to less busy visa offices, and

3. Reconfirming applicant’s interest who have waited for so long.

Additionally, starting September 17, 2008 the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) will be in place for certain temporary foreign workers and graduates with Canadian work experience. Experience in Canada is a key selection factor. There is no point system; just pass or fail, meaning if minimum requirements are met, applicant is eligible.

Those who have left Canada but otherwise meet the requirements as workers or graduates are eligible as long as they apply within one year of leaving their job in Canada.

A. Minimum requirements for GRADUATES of a Canadian post-secondary educational institution with Canadian work experience

1. Successful completion of a program of study of at least two academic years (8 months of study) in an accredited Canadian college or university or a Canadian institution authorized to grant degrees.

2. In the case of a one-year master’s program, previous one year education in Canada before admission into the one-year master’s program. The sum of applicant’s Canadian education is at least 2 years.

3. One year work experience in an occupation classified as 0, A or B in the NOC (National Occupational Classification). Graduates can gain work experience by securing a post-graduation work permit which may be valid for up to 3 years. There is no restriction on the location or type of work allowed. At least one year of work experience under the 3-year work permit has to be in an occupation classified as 0, A or B in the NOC. The work experience has to be within 2 years of the application.

4. Language – Applicants in skill type 0 or skill level A must demonstrate they meet CLB 7 standards and for skill level B, CLB 5 (CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks).

B. Who does not qualify in the CEC-Graduate?

1. Work experience in Canada is not classified as 0, A or B in the NOC, or

2. Work experience is less than 1 year, or

3. Fails to demonstrate minimum language proficiency levels required

4. Less than 2 academic years of study in Canada or in the case of one year master’s program, sum of Canadian education is less than 2 years.

C. Requirements for TEMPORARY FOREIGN WORKERS

1. Two years work experience in an NOC occupation classified as 0, A or B within 3 years of application

2. Language – Applicants in skill type 0 or skill level A must demonstrate they meet CLB 7 standards and for skill level B, CLB 5 (CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks).

D. Who does not qualify for CEC-Worker?

1. Work experience in Canada is not classified as 0, A or B in the NOC

2. Work experience in Canada is less than 2 years

3. Fails to demonstrate minimum language proficiency levels required.

Official information here >>>

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