On August 23, 2010, AINP announced that they are currently not accepting applications under the AINP U.S. Visa Holder Category and the AINP Family Stream. Applications postmarked after August 23, 2010 will be returned. Applications postmarked on or before August 23, 2010 that meet all program criteria will be accepted for processing and will be processed according to AINP Processing Times and U.S. Visa Holder Category or Family Stream criteria.

AINP used to have 8 categories where interested applicants can explore to stay in Alberta permanently such as: Skilled Worker Category, International Graduate, Semi-Skilled Worker, Compulsory Trades, Engineering Occupations, U.S. Visa Holder, Family Stream, Self-Employed Farmer Stream.

CIC updated on the processing of cases under Federal Skilled Worker Program applications. After June 26, 2010, CIO will complete the final eligibility assessment thus the complete application and all supporting documents from the visa post checklist including original language test results must be submitted to CIO upon filing.

The only exceptions are Right of Permanent Residence Fees, medical exam result and criminal record check. Missing admissibility documents such as medical and criminal record check should not hold up the determination of eligibility to apply.

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES UPDATE

            Please be informed that Alberta Health Services (AHS ) has released their announcement regarding the status of your work permit application and has sent individual emails to all IENS. Please inform Mercan if you have received the letter from them. Send us a feedback through This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . It is critical that we know if you have read the updates.

Permanent Resident / Federal Skilled Worker

A permanent resident in Canada is an individual who is not a Canadian Citizen but is permitted to live and work in Canada without limit on his time of stay. A permanent resident must stay for at least 2 years in Canada out of every five years or his permanent residency will be lifted. He holds the same rights and duties as a citizen except for: the right to work for federal or provincial government, vote, run for elected office and hold a Canadian passport. He also cannot join Canada’s armed forces. He may be deported for committing serious crimes while he is a resident in Canada. However, he may apply for citizenship after three years.

Federal Skilled Worker applications are assessed based on an applicants ability to become economically established upon immigration to Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has given 8-12 months processing through this program.

In order to qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa, Canadian Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) applicants must have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of the 29 qualifying occupations.

Additionally, Canada Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) applicants must attain at least 67 points based on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC) immigration selection factors.
The selection factors are summarized as follows:

Education: Applicants are awarded up to 25 points.
Language Skills: Applicants are awarded up to 24 points.
Work Experience: Applicants are awarded up to 21 points.
Age: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.
Arranged Employment:  Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.
Adaptability: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.

Whatever the number of points awarded, Canadian Immigration Visa Officers always have the discretion to accept or refuse an application based on a substituted evaluation.

In addition to meeting the above criteria, applicants must have a valid English Language Proficiency Test Result before filing for eligibility to apply for Permanent Residency through Federal Skilled Worker Program. Applicants must also show that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependents after arrival in Canada. Applicants and their dependants must also undergo medical examinations and security clearances as part of the Canadian immigration application process.

On June 26th,2010, the Government of Canada announced the new list and other information.

Those whose occupations are dropped from the list but have already filed application to Nova Scotia Canada are secured and will continue to be processed.

Those who are interested to apply now, but occupation is no longer on the list, your application will not be accepted anymore.

NEW LIST OF OCCUPATION FOR FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER CATEGORY

NOC : Occupation Title
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

If you are considering working and living in Canada, and you are eligible under the new immigration act, it is your best interest to apply immediately. Within the next 12 months, Government of Canada will only process 20,000 applications with a cap of 1,000 for each occupation.  Consult with our Immigration advisors to know more about the Federal Skilled Workers Program – our consultation services are free of charge.