Home >
WWICS Blog
WWICS Blog
Federal Skilled Worker Program Quota to be Increased: CIC
Posted on:19 January'12
According to a recent announcement by the Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Canada, it plans to accept 55,000–57,000 applications under the Federal Skilled
Workers in 2012. The statistics underline that they are up from 47,000–47,400 in
2011.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is one of the most popular Fast Track programs
for immigrants to reach Canada and obtain Permanent Residency status.
In the year 2010, over 280,000 immigrants were admitted, an increase of more than
11.3% over the previous year, and the highest number of immigrants in the last 50
years has been indicated by CIC in its report to the Parliament of Canada. Approximately,
67% of those admitted were economic immigrants with 40% being Federal Skilled Workers.
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program program, eligible immigration aspirants
are awarded points for their ability to adapt and contribute to Canada's economic
development. To be eligible under this program, you must either:
- have a job offer with an eligible employer;
- have been legally residing in Canada for at least one year as a temporary foreign
worker or an international student; or
- be a skilled worker with at least one year of experience in one or more eligible
Canadian skilled occupations within the last ten years.
In a recent speech, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney expressed
his optimism about the program and about Canadian immigration, "The government's
number one priority remains the economy. We recognize the importance of immigration
to our labour market and we value the contributions of skilled immigrants who add
to our international competitiveness."
Adding to that he said CIC will continue the fashion of modernizing Canada’s immigration
system so as to create a more dexterous and responsive labour market. Also, the
decision was made easy after Canadian immigration completed an extensive review
of the Federal Skilled Worker Program in 2010, which highlighted that the program
was retrieving and reaping the right results to sustain and strengthen economy of
Canada. The report also found that 89% of Federal Skilled Workers were employed
or self-employed three years after landing in Canada.
Lt. Col. B S Sandhu (Retd.), CMD of WWICS, the World's Largest Immigration Group
said, 'This is rather a positive news for all the eligible Skilled Workers & Professionals
since this news has brightened the chances of reaching and getting a Canadian PR
to many.'