Today Citizenship and Immigration Canada (“CIC“) announced that effective January 1, 2013 skilled temporary foreign workers will be able to transition to permanent residence faster than ever before. The Canadian work experience requirement of the Canadian Experience Class (“CEC“) is being reduced from 24 to 12 months.
Applicants who have 12 months of work experience in the 36 months preceding an application will now be eligible to apply to the program. Only applicants with National Occupational Classification 0, A or B work experience will continue to qualify for the CEC.
A minimum language threshold will be required in each of the four abilities (reading, writing, listening and speaking) for applicants to the CEC. It is anticipated that the threshold will be set at CLB/NCLC 7 for NOC 0 and A applicants and CLB/NCLC 5 for NOC B applicants, in each ability as opposed to averaged among the four abilities.
The change to the Regulations with respect to this program does not mention any transitory provisions. That is, the 12 months of work experience will not need to have commenced at a particular date.
In addition, under the foreign graduates stream of the CEC, applicants will have more time to earn their one year of work experience – up to 36 months, compared to only 24 months previously.
Through the CEC, which was created in 2008, Canada has admitted more than 20,000 international students and skilled workers. In 2013, CIC intends to accept a record high of up to 10,000 permanent residents through this program up from 2,545 CEC applicants admitted in 2009.
For further information with respect to US and Canadian immigration or to find out if you or a company employee is eligible for temporary or permanent relocation to Canada or the US, we invite you to contact our experienced immigration lawyers and attorneys by contacting the Bomza Law Group at:
1-800-993-9971 or by clicking here: “Contact Us”.
1-800-993-9971
