Canada’s occupation list due to change
Canada will soon alter its Skilled Worker immigration category, with a new occupation list coming into force in less than a month. If you have toyed with the idea of emigrating to the land of the maple leaf, it may be worth applying sooner rather than later.
There are currently 24 occupations on the skilled occupation list Canadian immigration officials use to determine if your skill is in demand and thus if your application will be approved. However there is no guarantee which of the current 24 occupations listed will still be deemed eligible occupations to qualify for Canada skilled worker visa category when the new list is announced.
The current list is relevant for skilled worker applications from people with at least one year’s experience in these occupations. Only 20,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications are available each year, and of the current listed occupations the cap has been reached for: Restaurant and Food Service Managers; Dentists; Pharmacists and Registered Nurses.
However the cap is yet to be reached (under the current occupation list) for other occupations, including: Architects; Physiotherapists; Social Workers; Chefs; Electricians; Plumbers; Welders and Related Machine Operators; and Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics.
If you have an offer of arranged employment you can also apply under the skilled worker category. However, you will need to have obtained a positive Arranged Employment Opinion from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC). Generally, this means that you will need to show that there are insufficient people locally in Canada who can do the job. There is no limit on the number of skilled worker applications that can be made for those who have arranged employment.
If you find your occupation is currently ‘in demand’ in Canada it may be worth beginning the immigration process now, or you may live to rue your decision when the new list is announced. However while some occupations could be removed from the list of skilled occupations, other occupations could be added and so other people may be celebrating when the new list in revealed.
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