Monday, April 22, 2013

Foreign Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) required for Skilled Worker Immigration to Canada


As per the new rules for Skilled Immigration to Canada, Educational Credential is a must. This new rules are in place from May, 2013.

These Educational Credentials must be done by one of the four designated organizations.

If you want to apply for Immigration to Canada as a Skilled worker, you must complete the process. Below I have added the organizations along with there links. Just click on them to go to their website.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) organizations and their links

  1. Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
  2. International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
  3. World Education Services
  4. Medical Council of Canada
Go to the corresponding website and follow their instructions.

The last one is for International medical graduates (IMGs). Though they are not in the occupation list, it is provided for the ones who are already in Canada.

Hope you find your Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) done within a very short time and may submit your application for Skilled Worker Immigration Visa in your occupation before reaching the CAP.


 

Canada Immigration as Skilled Worker, May 2013 update: New Occupation list

Skilled Worker Immigration is just about to start from May, 2013. According to CIC website, there is significant change in the procedure, which includes a new eligible occupation list.

There is a cap for each occupation which is 300 and a grand cap of 5000 application. That means they will accept a total of 5000 application adding application of all the occupation. In the same time there will be no more than 300 application in a single occupation. 

No doubt, there is major change in the list. The medicine men are removed from the list. Instead technical hands in the area such as medical technologist, sonologist are included in the list. The list is as follows (number in the left hand side is the NOC code of 2011 for that occupation):


New eligible occupation list for Skilled Worker Immigration to Canada:


    0211 Engineering managers
    1112 Financial and investment analysts
    2113 Geoscientists and oceanographers
    2131 Civil engineers
    2132 Mechanical engineers
    2134 Chemical engineers
    2143 Mining engineers
    2144 Geological engineers
    2145 Petroleum engineers
    2146 Aerospace engineers
    2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers)
    2154 Land surveyors
    2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers
    2243 Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics
    2263 Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety
    3141 Audiologists and speech-language pathologists
    3142 Physiotherapists
    3143 Occupational Therapists
    3211 Medical laboratory technologists
    3212 Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants
    3214 Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
    3215 Medical radiation technologists
    3216 Medical sonographers
    3217 Cardiology technicians and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified)

New rule for Canada Skilled Worker immigration, May 2013: Bad news for doctors (medical graduates)

Canada Skilled Worker immigration is just about to start at 4th May, 2013.

However, those doctors/ physicians all around the world, who were waiting for the moment, it is a big disappointment. Canada is not going to take Physicians as Skilled Worker Immigrants to their country.

Canada Immigration has published the list of occupations who will get the chance to submit their application, starting from 4 May, 2013. Unfortunately both General Practitioner are Specialist Physicians has lost their space in the list.

To see the list click here.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Federal Internship for Newcomers Program: An opportunity?


The Government of Canada announced has a Federal Internship for Newcomers program. It is designed to assist newcomers gain Canadian work experience. This program will allow immigrants to Canada to have the opportunity to get some temporary work experience in fields they are qualified.
Immigrants of Federal skilled worker category have a good chance of using this program and enrich their CV in Canada.

In addition to gaining work experience, you will be able to:
   - learn about Canadian workplace culture
   - understand hiring processes
   - network with members of the public service and private sector
   - attend orientation sessions or training



I think many of the IMGs, specially who are experienced for years, may also have performed administrative functions as well. Some IMGs may have experience is clinic management, some other may have experience in laboratory management. Working in the area of quality assurance in healthcare may also be an area of expertise. I think if you are one of those, then you can give Federal Internship for Newcomers program a try. 



Who is eligible

The following person will be eligible for apply:
  • be a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen in Canada less than 10 years
  • have the necessary language abilities in English (minimum Canadian Language Benchmark of 6-8) or French (minimum Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens benchmark of 6-8)
  • have a post-secondary degree (with the exception of administrative positions where it is an asset)
  • be registered and successfully undergo mandatory screening for employment readiness by one of the program’s identified immigrant-serving organizations
  • either
    • live or work in Ottawa/Gatineau (or within a 125 kilometre radius), Toronto (or within a 125 kilometre radius), the Vancouver Area or Victoria (or within a 75 kilometre radius) (Note: In the future, additional locations may be added)
                                                            OR
    • be a graduate of the World University Service of Canada’s Student Refugee Program

Past participants of the program can also reapply to the program once.



Other information


For more information go to CIC website of click here.


This could be a useful tool for federal skilled worker to  start career in Canada.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Canada skilled worker program about to restart on May, 2013

According to CIC, they are going to restart immigration process for skilled worker on May, 2013.

Some changes of rule are expected in the requirements in the new Canada skilled worker program which is about to be employed from May, 2013.

New list of occupation list for immigration will be in place for restarted process for skilled worker. 

For expected changes in rule please click here.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Fee Returns for Federal Skilled Worker applicants

Previously there was a declaration from CIC that it will not process the applications that were submitted prior to 27th February, 2008 and CIC has not made and decision regarding the selection criteria- meaning they have not started the processing.

If you are one of those unfortunate person, then you must know that they are going to return the fee that you paid then with the Federal Skilled Worker application.

Fee Return procedure for Federal Skilled Worker applicants

First of all CIC needs to be confirmed about your current address.
To inform them about your current address, you must fill up the form 'IMM5741E'. You can download it from here.
Fill up the form and save it. Then attach it with email and send it to FSWFeeReturn@cic.gc.ca.
Issuance of fee return cheque may take some time due to the large volume of applicants.


Friday, October 12, 2012

Proposed upcoming changes in Skilled worker category of Canada immigration: January 2013

It is known that immigration of skilled worker to Canada is paused till January 2013.
In January 2013, a reviewed version of immigration rule will be deployed for skilled worker category. Few of the hints of the proposed changes were published last month. Canada will pay much attention to language, age and work experience in Canada.


Proposed upcoming changes in skilled worker category in January 2013:


The proposed changes that are likely to be in place in federal skilled worker category of immigration to Canada in January, 2013 are as follows:  
  • Language: This will be the most important factor. A minimum thresh hold will be applied and points for language will be increased.
  • Age: Emphasis will be given to younger immigrants. As a skilled worker they will serve Canada longer. 
  • Experience: It is proposed that points will be increased for work experience in Canada while it will be reduced for work experience overseas. 
  • Spouse: In proposed upcoming rules for January 2013, more points will be awarded if the spouse has good language capability and work experience in Canada. 
  • Arranged employment: Simplifying arranged employment process to prevent fraud and abuse.
  • Educational Credential: Another proposed change is the introduction of the Educational Credential Assessment. It requires the applicants to have their education abroad assessed against Canadian education standards by designated organizations.
  • Limited application: As updated on March, 13, there will be a cap for application as it used to be and acceptance of application for federal skilled worker will be closed when the cap is reached.
More may be added in the list in future. Till now this are all the information they have provided for federal skilled worker immigration program to Canada.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Validity of medical examination for Canada immigration

It is the time when many of the people are getting medical requests forms for Canada immigration. A question may arise about the validity of the medical examination for Canada immigration. You may want to complete all the businesses in your homeland before you start a new life in Canada, and the process may take months.
The maximum valid time for medical examination for Canada immigration is one year. You will have to land in Canada within this twelve months.
As far as I have understood, after medical examination, there is a security check. This may cause a delay, specially, if the applicants been to a lot of places (countries) before. This may take more than one year. If it takes that long, chances are more that CIC will ask for another medical.
If you have failed to land in Canada within one year of medical examination, I am not sure what they will do. You can mail them in the case specific inquiry explaining cause of your delay (click here to know how to place a case specific inquiry). If CIC finds the reason to be valid probably they will send you new Medical Request forms, or at least show you the way. 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Add newborn child to application of Canada immigration for skilled workers

The processing of application of immigration to Canada as skilled worker takes some time. However, it does not stop flow of life, specially birth of child will never stop. I guess adding newborn child is the most common update the Canada immigration has to face.

Now the question is how will you add your newborn child to your application.

One thing you must know that, you need to inform the visa office about your newborn child within 60 days of birth. Best way to do that sending updated forms with supportive documents. If you can not send the papers, at least you can inform them using your case specific inquiry option and letting them know the cause of your failure to submit the documents in time. I hope they will understand.

To inform them you may use the "Case specific inquiry" option listed on your visa office website. For details about case specific inquiry, click here. Follow their instruction, if they give you some.

The procedure as far I have understood from the web is different at different visa offices. But the core theme is the same. You need to submit the fee and relevant documents.

You need to fill up the following forms:

1. Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008), including the details of your newborn in the dependent section.

2. Schedule A: Background / Declaration (IMM 5669), for you and your spouse with updated information.
3. Fee Payment Form – Application for Permanent Residence (IMM 5620), completeonly for the amount you are paying,
4. Documents providing proof of your settlement fund. Your required fund is now higher as your family size has increased. If you need to know your required amount of settlement fund for Canada immigration click here.
5. Photograph of your baby: give as many copies as required by your visa office (the number of photos that you submitted of your own during submission of application).
6. Attested photocopies of your child's  birth certificate and passport.

And do not forget to put a cover letter explaining the relevance of each of the documents.

If you still face problems to add your newborn child to your application of Canada skilled worker immigration, do not, I repeat, do not hesitate to contact you visa office (prefer to use case specific inquiry as I have mentioned).

Good luck, hope the information helps you.


Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Update July 2012: Temporary pause in Canada Immigration system for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP)

According to the latest update, Canada immigration system will be paused for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP).

This pause will be effective from 1st July, 2012 and continue for next six months.

In this time Canada Immigration will not accept any application for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP).

It is expected that they will resume accepting applications for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and federal Immigrant Investor Program (IIP) from 1st January 2013.

UPDATE:
Skilled worker immigration is about to be started one again on May, 2013. Click here to learn more.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Form fill up for Canada Immigration as Skilled worker: SCHEDULE A BACKGROUND/ DECLARATION (IMM5669E)

Form fill up: SCHEDULE A BACKGROUND/ DECLARATION (IMM5669E) 
If you are applying in Skilled Worker category for immigration to Canada, you, your spouse and your dependant over the age of 18 years must fill it up.
To get the SCHEDULE A - BACKGROUND/ DECLARATION (IMM5669E) form click here.
Now let us discuss how to fill the background/ declaration form. Number corresponds to the field number in the form ( for example discussion under no 1 here will correspond to forms number one field: 1. Your full name).

First thing is first, check the box for whom the form is being filled. If you, the principal applicant is filling the form, then check the first box. For others check the other box.


1. Your full name:
At first box write down your family name. Put the given name in the next box. If you have more than one given name, put all of them in this box.
2. Your full name in your native language:
Write down it in your native language (for example, if your native language is Arabic, you'll have to write your name is Arabic). Probably this will not be supported by the PDF form. In that case you'll have to write it manually (with a pen after taking the print out)
Other name you are or have been using: Give your nick name here (if you have any). Other wise write "Not applicable"
3. Your date of birth:
Put it in the box following the given format i.e. first year of birth followed by month and date.
4. Personal details of your father:
Fill up the spaces for "Name" and "Date of birth" as you did in the previous sections.
Provide the information in the specified area about "Town/ city of birth" and "Country of birth." Please be cautious not to put your town of birth or country of birth in this fields, which are specified for your father.
Last field is only meant to be filled up if your father has died. Keep it clean if he is alive.
5. Personal details of your mother:
Fill up the spaces as you did for you father.
6. There are several questions and corresponding check boxes for Yes and No. Now read every parts and check the corresponding boxes. Don't forget to provide details in the subsequent area if any of the boxes are checked for "Yes".
This applies to all of your family members above 18 years.
7. Education:
Fill up the boxes and table according to your educational achievements.
If no diploma was issued, write “N/A”. If you need more space, attach a separate sheet of paper.
8. Personal history:
Here you need to give your personal information since 18 year or last ten years, whichever comes first.
Fill the table starting the latest work you are doing. Be cautious not to leave any space time not mentioned. If you did nothing for the time put unemployed against the time space.
9. Membership or association with organization.
If you are member of any organization, write it in the table with the specified time in the specified area of the table.
If you do not have any membership of association just write "None" at the first row.
10. Government positions:
Fill it you ever have served the government. Put "None" as before if you haven't done before.
11. Military services:
Again do it as previous two. Put "None" on the first box if you don't have served any.
12. Addresses:
Put all the addresses where you have lived since your 18th birthday. Put the actual address, not the P.O box address.

There are two big issues. 
First one is very important: Don't forget to sign at the box in the last page and write down the date. Everybody filling the form (applicant, spouse, dependant) must sign in their respective form.
Second one, leave the remaining last portion of the form empty.

To remind again, form fill up for Canada Immigration - Schedule 1, Background declaration (IMM5669E) is mandatory for everybody above 18 years accompanying the principal applicant.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Canada Immigration: Bad news update for applicants applying before 2008

Here is a new update of Canada Immigration for "Economic Class" on 30th March, 2012.
According to this update, CIC will refund all the application prior to 27th February, 2008, which are yet to be reviewed by immigration officer.
The intention is to reduce processing time to months instead of years and provide immigration to the specific person Canada economy require.

For details click here.

Saturday, March 24, 2012

New forms for Canada Skilled Worker immigration

A whole new set of forms are in place.
I have already discussed about how to fill up the "Generic application form." This is the one that have major changes. Click here to learn about filling up the form.
The other have also some changes. I shall try to bring them up shortly.

All the form are available at CIC website. Click here to go to download area. 

Monday, December 5, 2011

Score from language tests: Canada Immigration



Using your language test results to calculate achievable points:

For Immigration to Canada a point system persists which requires scoring of certain points to be eligible for further processing. That is why it is important to calculate ones score prior to submitting the documents for Canada immigration process.
Language skills occupies a handsome amount of points. It is important for the person who have shortage of points and willing to immigrate to Canada. They can target a score which will allow them to achieve the required pass mark.
Canadian immigration system recommends  International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) for English language and  Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) for French language.
I have put the test scoring and calculation of scored number for IELTS, CELPIP and TEF in the following sections (as in CIC website).


To Calculate your score, add your points as follows: 
Total of speaking + listening + reading + writing = Score (both languages)



International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Use the following table to determine how many points you will be awarded for your test scores with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS):

Level
Points
(per ability)
Test results for each ability
Speaking
Listening
Reading
(General
Training)
Writing
(General
Training)
High
First official language: 4
6.5 - 9.0
7.5 - 9.0
6.5 - 9.0
6.5 - 9.0
Second official language: 2
Moderate
Either official language: 2
5.5 - 6.0
5.5 - 7.0
5.0 - 6.0
5.5 - 6.0
Basic
Either official language: 1
(maximum of 2)
4.0 - 5.0
4.5 - 5.0
3.5 - 4.5
4.0 - 5.0
No
0
Less than 4.0
Less than 4.5
Less than 3.5
Less than 4.0




Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
Use the following table to determine how many points you will be awarded for your test scores with the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP):

Level
Points (per ability)
Test results for each ability
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
High
First official language: 4
4H
5
6
4H
5
6
4H
5
6
4H
5
6
Second official language: 2
Moderate
Either official language: 2
3H
4L
3H
4L
3H
4L
3H
4L
Basic
Either official language: 1(maximum of 2)
2H
3L
2H
3L
2H
3L
2H
3L
No
0
0
1
2L
0
1
2L
0
1
2L
0
1
2L




Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
Use the following table to determine how many points you will be awarded for your test scores with the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF):

Level
Points
(per ability)
Test results for each ability
Speaking (expression orale)
Listening (compré-
hension orale
)
Reading (compré-
hension écrite
)
Writing (expression écrite)
High
First official language: 4
Level 5
Level 6
(349-450 pts)
Level 5
Level 6
(280-360 pts)
Level 5
Level 6
(233-300 pts)
Level 5
Level 6
(349-450 pts)
Second official language: 2
Moderate
Either official
language: 2
Level 4
(271-348 pts)
Level 4
(217-279 pts)
Level 4
(181-232 pts)
Level 4
(271-348 pts)
Basic
Either official
language: 1
(maximum of 2)
Level 3
(181-270 pts)
Level 3
(145-216 pts)
Level 3
(121-180 pts)
Level 3
(181-270 pts)
No
0
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-180 pts)
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-144 pts)
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-120 pts)
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-180 pts)

Add your points: Total of speaking + listening + reading + writing = Score (both languages)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Canada Immigration: Possible ways

Canada is a nice place to live. It offers the opportunity of immigration to people throughout the world. But one have to understand, they will prefer the people who will be useful to them. That is why they have developed a system for immigration which gives only certain options to qualified persons for Canada immigration.

Canada Immigration: Possible ways

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada website, there are five ways one can migrate to Canada. These are:

1. Skilled workers and professionals: For people who want to settle and work in Canada (outside of Quebec). Only 29 classified occupations are acceptable. In current year 2011-2012, 10000 applications will be accepted in this category. A maximum of 500 application will be accepted per occupation.

2. Quebec selected skilled workers: For people selected by the Quebec government to settle and work in Quebec. French is the official language of Quebec. If you are thinking of picking up this option, you should know that french is the official language of Quebec.

3. Canadian Experience Class: For people who have recent Canadian work experience or have graduated and recently worked in Canada. This option is targeted to the person who have temporary permit to work or study in Canada. With this option they can convert their temporary permit to permanent one.

4. Investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people: For people who want to start a business in Canada. Business immigrants are expected to make a C$800,000 investment or to own and manage businesses in Canada, and must meet certain experience and/or net worth criteria.

5. Provincial nominees: One of Canada's provinces or territories can nominate you to settle and work there. Each province has their own requirement and thus their program varies. At this moment Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Yukon are Northwest Territories offering the scope. Their requirements are available in the respective website.

To bring non-immigrant family of a permanent resident (for example, newly married spouse) to Canada, the permanent resident can sponsor his/ her spouse. This could be considered as another way to migrate to Canada.

Each program has separate requirements and paperworks. If you are planning for Canada Immigration, you'll have to follow one of the above mentioned possible ways and prepare accordingly.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Canada immigration: Language test is valid for two years

I have seen the following notice in the CIC website (maybe I have missed it previously) which says that language test is valid for two years for the applicants of Canada immigration. I think they should keep extending the time with their ever extending processing time.

"EFFECTIVE December 23, 2010: If you are submitting a language test with your application, the results are now valid for 2 years from the time you took the test, instead of 1 year. This change applies to Federal skilled worker, Canadian Experience Class and Business Class Immigrants (investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people)."

As per the notice results of language test is valid for two years which means IELTS or TOEFL or French Language tests needs not to be retaken within the defined period. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

CAIP notes, FOSS files and GCMS files

What are CAIP notes, FOSS files and GCMS files and their uses:

CAIP notes/ CAIP file:
CAIP stands for 'Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System'. CAIP notes/ files is the computer system used by CIC. It holds all the information of all immigrant application being processed by overseas visa offices.
Now it is being gradually be replaced by GCMS.

FOSS files:
FOSS is same as CAIP except used for CIC offices in Canada.
It is also now being replaced by GCMS.

GCMS files:
GCMS stands for 'Global Case Management System' which is the newer computer system that will eventually replace CAIP and Foss files.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Canada Visa Lottery

According to CIC webpage and all other sources, there is no Visa Lottery for Canada.
If somebody want to get immigrated to Canada, he will have to go through any of the immigration visa options available, for example, skilled worker visa.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Best book for USMLE: Pathology

A whole lot of books are available to get prepared for USMLE. I shall try to put some light on pathology.

Best book for USMLE: Pathology

Rapid Review Pathology by Edward Goljan is the best book to study pathology for USMLE. One may find it difficult as it is full of texts and tables. But to score high in pathology you'll have to understand the subject and thus go through the book. Along this book, those who are visual learners, may use Big picture pathology.
But you must remember one thing, these are review books and are not text books. You may need to consult text books to clarify some complex topics discussed in these books.
If you have a lot of time, you can also try BRS pathology and Deja review pathology.

Have a good preparation in pathology for USMLE.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

CAIP note: Another way to know status of your application

CAIP notes/ CAIP file: Can help you know your file status

If you have submitted you immigration application long time ago and wondering why it is not processed yet while other are flying for Canada, you can use this CAIP service. You can also use it to get prepared for your interview as it may contain valuable information about the objective of your interview.
But be judicious about using the service as it may cause further delay of your application file processing.

What is CAIP notes:
CAIP stands for 'Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System'. It is the computer system used by Canada immigration to process visa applications, and holds all the information on the current status of every immigration application being processed by overseas offices (i.e. those outside of Canada).
For new applications the CAIP is replaced by the 'GCMS' system.
To know more about CAIP, FOSS and GCMS, click here.

Can an applicant apply for CAIP notes:
CAIP notes is available to citizens, immigrants of persons living in Canada. So, most of the time an Immigration applicant has no access to the system.
But he can use somebody else living in Canada to avail the service for him. There are also some service providers that will get the CAIP notes for you. If you want, you can Google for that.

How to process:

1. fill up consent form IMM 5475 and signed by me and my spouse.
------- I did it and send scanned copy to my friend through mail.
2. Person in Canada has to fill up formal request form (IMM 5563).
3. Person in Canada has to send both these form with a $5.00 cheque (in favor of Receiver General of Canada) to
              Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator
              Narono Building
              360 Laurier Avenue West, 10th floor
              Ottawa, Ontario
              K1A 1L1
4. Wait for few weeks to get the print out.