Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - June 2010
Canada�s federal government has moved to limit the amount of skilled worker applications being filed, with the exception of those who have received a direct job offer from a Canadian employer.
The government argues that the changes, which will be in effect until June of 2011, are being implemented in an attempt to prevent backlogs and longer processing times. According to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration, over 30,000 skilled worker applications were filed in the first quarter of this year.
The cap will be set so that no more than 20,000 skilled worker applications will be considered within that time. Furthermore, the government, under Immigration Minister Jason Kenney, has reduced by nine the number of occupations which qualify under the program.
Occupational therapists, university professors, financial managers and mining engineers will no longer be allowed to accept under Canada�s skilled worker stream.
The government also is narrowing language requirements. Previously, applicants were allowed to submit a writing sample to prove their sufficiency in either English or French. Now, they must receive �proof from a designated independent tester� of their proficiency.
Source: National Post
