In the News: FSW Program and Spousal Sponsorship

Your news update of the day:

-          Still a very big issue in the news this week are the unveiled changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Apparently, Jason Kenney & Co. think that twenty-somethings in other countries have it together enough to decide to permanently immigrate somewhere (possibly) halfway across the world for work, leaving behind all their childhood familiar places, friends, and experiences. (The new points system is aimed at getting more 20 and 30-somethings. Over 35-ers who may bring wisdom and experience to their workplace it seems, are not as valued by the government.) I don’t know about you but if you asked the average 20-30 year old Canadian to commit to immigrating to another country for work, I doubt many of them would. And if they did, would they have the job skills in place to succeed abroad? Would they have the wisdom and experience? Read more here: http://canadavisalaw.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/new-federal-skilled-worker-rules-published/

-          Also trending in Alberta news lately: Online romances, marriage and spousal sponsorship. Real love or Immigration fraud? Are there ulterior motives at play in online cross-border romance? If yes, then aren’t there also ulterior motives at play in Canadians-only relationships too? Read more here: http://visalawcanada.blogspot.ca/2012/08/online-romances-raise-questions-motives.html and here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2012/08/22/edmonton-miltimore-immigration-wife-philippines.html

The Canadian Immigration System: Points System

So, in case you didn’t know this (I was only slightly aware of it before doing some research), Canada’s immigration process (for “economic immigrants”) operates on a POINT SYSTEM.

When submitting your application, you can gain points in six selection factors, or categories. The categories and the weigh assigned to them changes over time as the government tries to prioritize immigrants who meet the needs of the country. In order to be deemed acceptable as an immigration candidate, you must rack up at least 67 POINTS (that’s the minimum passing number). If your score is lower than 67, you will mostly likely not qualify to immigrate to Canada. And even if you get a score of 67 or higher, you may not qualify for immigration. However, the score you receive is still a good indicator of your chances.

The most recent changes to the point system emphasize the importance of the following qualities: YOUTH and LANGUAGE SKILLS.

If you’re thinking of coming to Canada as an economic immigrant, try the points calculator here:

http://www.workpermit.com/canada/points_calculator.htm

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/assess/index.asp

I tried the calculator using my own information and stats to see if I would qualify to immigrate to Canada given my skills etc. I barely made it in. The threshold is 67 points to pass and I only scored 69. Most of my points came from belonging to the coveted 21-49 age category and for my proficiency in both official languages. My education, on the other hand, counted for next to nothing as I have yet to complete my degree. The contents of my savings account barely met the requirements.

If you are a Canadian, I encourage you to calculate your points and see if you would qualify. I especially recommend this to those who speak disparagingly of immigrants in Canada because it will give you a sense of just how qualified you have to be in order to immigrate to this country.

More resources and information here:

http://www.canadaupdates.com/content/canadian-immigration-points-calculator

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-factors.asp

http://canadianimmigrant.ca/news-and-views/new-immigration-point-system-for-canada-in-2012

Topic of the Week: The Canadian Immigration System

After reading the news story about the issues with the Provincial Nominee program in PEI, I decided that the Topic of the Week for August 13-20 will be:

The Canadian Immigration System.

I hope to touch on some of the following:

- What is the “point system”? How does it work?

- Who are Provincial Nominees? How does one become a provincial nominee?

- How do you gain Permanent Residence (PR)? What does PR mean/what privileges, rights and responsibilities does PR entail?

- How do you become a Canadian citizen? What are the citizenship requirements?

- Current Issues with the Canadian Immigration System