Within a couple of months from now, the new list of priority occupations would be made available. Are you now ready to file your application? Remember that under the current policy, Citizenship and Immigration Canada is imposing a cap on the number of applications to be accepted per occupation. Here's what you should do, if you haven't done yet:
1. Schedule your IELTS examination before June 30, 2011. Remember that IELTS Exam Result is needed to file your application and it takes about a couple of weeks to get the result after the examination.
2. Fill up the application forms. You can do this online by logging on to http://clients.go2canada.com. If you signed up a consultancy agreement with us, you should have your username and password by now. Check your spam folder in case you did not receive it.
3. Get your documents ready. Here's the list of requirements
If your occupation is in the current list of 29 in-demand occupations, you only have until June 30, 2011 to send your application to Centralized Intake Office (CIO). There is no guarantee that your occupation would still be included in the new list.
Canadian Election Results
The results of the recently concluded Canadian Federal Election paved the way to a majority Conservative government. Stephen Harper will remain the Prime Minister and no election will be conducted in the next for years.
1. This would mean the Immigration Minister would still have the power to decide on who will be prioritized under the Federal Skilled Worker program. The fate of Canada's immigration program will depend on the next Ministerial Instructions. It is expected that on or before July 1, 2011, the 3rd Ministerial Instruction will be issued. It will determine the priority occupations and how many applications will be accepted for the next twelve months. It will also state the mandated processing period for the new applications. But we all know by now that there's a terrible delay in visa processing for applications filed under the 1st Minieterial Instruction.
2. This could also mean that the proposed changes in FSW points system would be implemented soon.
Manitoba Strategic Initiative
So you took the IELTS Exam but your occupation was not included in the new list, what now?
If your occupation is not in the list, you may still be eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program if have an Arranged Employment in Canada. You may also be eligible under Provincial Nominee Program if somebody (employer, relatives, friends) is willing to sponsor you.
Another alternative iss the Manitoba Strategic Initiative. It's a bit costly but under this program, you don't need an employer or a relative to sponsor you. All you need is to have an exploratory visit to Maniba and get interviewd by MPNP Office. If you passed the interview, you will be invited by Manitoba PNP Office to apply under the program with priority processing. IELTS Exam is also required under this program.
RESTAURANT MANAGERS CAP REACHED
As of April 19, 2011, the 1,000 cap for Restaurant Managers has been reached already. No new applications under this job classification until June 30, 2011. Will Restaurant Managers be included in the new list of priority occupations? We don't know that yet.
Visa Processing Status Monitor
The Canadian Visa Office in Manila is yet to finish applications filed in 2004, currently processing Nov 2004 applicants. This is for applications filed before February 2008.
For those who filed between February 2008 to June 2010 under the first Ministerial Instruction and are still waiting for the notice from the Canadian Visa Office Manila, your patience is needed. It looks like the Canadian Visa Office in Manila is yet to cope up with the backlogs. There's no cap on the number of applications to be received under the first Ministerial Instruction. It was only implemented starting June 26, 2010. They may have received a huge volume of applications and that may explain the backlogs. Please avoid sending unnecessary and repetitive follow up to Visa Office, it will just make the situation worst. But you can always check your application status online.
