The Government of Canada will increase immigration levels significantly in 2015. Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander announced that Canada aims to welcome as many as 285,000 new permanent residents this year. This represents an increase in levels from previous years by about 20,000.  It is expected that the majority of economic class admissions to Canada will come from the Federal Skilled Worker program.

The announcement coincides with the implementation of the Express Entry Immigration system under the Economic Class.  This includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program,Canadian Experience Class and certain elements of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Federal Skilled Workers

Persons with suitable education, work experience, age and language abilities under one of Canada’s official languages and who are selected under the Express Entry Immigration system to apply for permanent residence.

To qualify for admission to the Express Entry Immigration as a Federal Skilled Worker, applicants must meet the following conditions:

Essential Conditions:

1. Possess one-year of continuous full-time paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment within the previous 10 years in one of 347 eligible occupations listed under the applicable National Occupational Classification system; AND
2. The work experience must be classified within Skill Type 0 (Managerial Occupations), Skill Level A (Professional Occupations), or Skill Level B (Technical Occupations and Skilled Trades) within the meaning of the National Occupational Classification system; AND
3. Score sufficient points under the skilled worker point gridcomprising of six selection factors. The current pass mark is 67 points;
4. Undergo language testing from a recognized third party and demonstrate intermediate level language skills in English or French corresponding to the Canadian Language Benchmark of 7)
5. Possess suitable settlement funding;
6. Undergo a successful security background and medical examination.

Federal Skilled Trades

Persons who are qualified under one of 90 skilled trades from the following NOC Skill Level B:

• Major Group 72: Industrial, electrical and construction trades;
• Major Group 73: Maintenance and equipment operation trades;
• Major Group 82: Supervisors and technical occupations in national resources, agriculture and related production;
• Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators;
• Minor Group 632: chefs and cooks;
• Minor Group 633: butchers and bakers.

Canadian Experience Class

A program for people who have suitable skilled work experience in Canada and want to immigrate permanently.

Applicants with work experience in the following NOC occupations will not be considered:

• 1221 Administrative officers
• 1241 Administrative assistants
• 1311 Accounting technicians and bookkeepers
• 6211 Retail sales supervisors
• 6311 Food service supervisors
• 6322 Cooks

Provincial Nominee Programs

Every province has implemented its own provincial immigration program (Provincial Nominee Programs PNP), each with its own criteria, in order to promote immigration policies suited to a province’s particular needs.

Provincial Nomination Programs are widely viewed as a fast-track option for many foreign nationals to gain Canadian permanent residency.

In addition to the existing Provincial Nomination Programs available through Canadian provinces and territories, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Manitoba promote express entry immigration programs that complement the Canada Express Entry Immigration system.  A sponsor employer is not required.

Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with your evaluation results within 1-2 business days.