Canada raises caps for migrants

 

For the period between May and December 2014, Canada has increased caps of visa applications under skilled workers, trade workers, experienced workers programs.

The total cap will be 38000 – which includes 25000 for skilled workers, 5000 for trade, and 8000 for experienced workers. The list of eligible occupations under the skilled workers program has been doubled, from 24 to 50 occupations, reflecting the latest labour market needs.

While visa applications caps are usually for one year – 1 May to 30 April, these caps are only for eight months – 1 May to 31 December, in effect increasing the number of total visa applications processed.

The caps have been put in place to ensure that the Canadian immigration authority is not left with any backlog of visa applications on 1 January 2015, the day it launches the new Express Entry program.

The Express Entry progam, Canada’s new active recruitment model, will lead to a “faster and more flexible economic immigration system” that will address Canada’s economic and labour market needs, says a statement issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

“With these measures in place for our key economic programs, our government is ensuring our immigration system is addressing Canada’s economic and labour market needs while reducing backlogs and improving processing times,” Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander says.

“We look forward to the launch of Express Entry next January, which will be a major step forward in attracting the skilled workers we need and have them working in Canada faster.”

Quick facts

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada will begin accepting applications under new caps for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), starting 1 May 2014. These measures will ensure a steady supply of skilled workers who are settling in Canada permanently and helping to supplement the Canadian workforce in areas where there are skills shortages.
• These are the last applications that will be accepted under the current system before Express Entry launches in January 2015.
• The latest FSWP occupation list was developed based on recent labour market data from Employment and Social Development Canada and input from the provinces and territories on regional labour market needs.
• Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2014 will invest $14 million over two years and $4.7 million per year ongoing to ensure the successful implementation of Express Entry.
• Determine online your eligibility to apply for Canadian work visa.
• The full set of Ministerial Instructions will be available in the Canada Gazette on April 26, 2014.

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