By Susana Mas, CBC NEWS | Link to Article
By Susana Mas, CBC NEWS | Link to Article
The Canadian government is forging ahead with a new immigration system that will offer “express entry” to qualified immigrants starting in 2015 as a way to help fill open jobs for which there are no available Canadian workers.
Express Entry, formerly known as Expression of Interest, will be “a swifter path to Canada that will select immigrants based on the skills and attributes that Canada needs based on those identified by government but also by employers,” said Immigrant Minister Chris Alexander.
Under Canada’s new immigration system, which would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2015, prospective immigrants would apply to express their interest in coming to Canada. In doing so, they would answer a series of questions about their professional skills, their education, languages spoken, etc. Those applicants would then see their skills matched with labour needs identified by the provinces and territories, as well as employers.
In those instances where “a match” has been identified, Express Entry could be offered to anyone who has put in an application through one of the following four programs:
- Federal skilled workers
- Federal skilled trades
- Canadian experience class
- Business class
Under the new program:
- Canada will be able to select “the best candidates” who are most likely to achieve success in Canada, “rather than the first person in line.”
- An improved Job Bank will make it easier to find matches between Canadian employers and Express Entry candidates.
- The government will invest $14 million over two years and $4.7 million per year ongoing to ensuring the successful implementation of Express Entry.
- Qualified applicants can expect faster processing times of six months or less when invited to come to Canada, down from a wait of up to two years.
Read more http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/skilled-immigrants-to-be-offered-express-entry-to-canada-in-2015-1.2617961