Skilled Workers

CIC has changed the list of occupations qualifying for the Skilled Worker category without the necessity of a job offer.  The previous list had 38 occupations; the new list has only 29.  Applications that were filed before 26 June 2010 will continue to be processed.  As of 26 June 2010, applications can now be made in this category only by those with evidence of at least one year of full-time work experience in the last 10 years in one or more of the following occupations:

National Occupation Classification (NOC) codes:

• 0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
• 0811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
• 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
• 1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
• 2121 Biologists and Related Scientists
• 2151 Architects
• 3111 Specialist Physicians
• 3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
• 3113 Dentists
• 3131 Pharmacists
• 3142 Physiotherapists
• 3152 Registered Nurses
• 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
• 3222 Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
• 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
• 4151 Psychologists
• 4152 Social Workers
• 6241 Chefs
• 6242 Cooks
• 7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
• 7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
• 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
• 7242 Industrial Electricians
• 7251 Plumbers
• 7265 Welders & Related Machine Operators
• 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
• 7371 Crane Operators
• 7372 Drillers & Blasters — Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
• 8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

Investor Immigration

There is an immediate moratorium on all new applications under the Federal Investor program.  Current applications will continue to be processed, but longer processing times can be expected.

New investor application rules will come into effect on a date to be announced, but probably by October 2010.  It is expected that the new rules will double the minimum net worth requirement of the investor from $800,000 to $1.6 million and double the amount of the investment from $400,000 to $800,000.

Québec Investor applications can still be filed with the old limits; however, it is expected that Québec will very soon bring its investor program in line with the new federal limits.

Please note that as of 1 October 2010, the special work permit category for software workers will be eliminated in all of Canada except Quebec, where it will continue for a short time.  As of that date, all new work permit applications and extension applications will require a Labour Market Opinion from Service Canada.  This means that employers will need to show that there are no qualified Canadians or permanent residents available to do the work, and meet certain other requirements.

If you hold a work permit issued under this category of if you are an employer in the IT sector, contact us immediately to get advice on how to obtain work permits once this change takes effect.  The sooner you contact us, the more we may be able to assist you.