Canada Explains New Express Entry System for Skilled Overseas Workers
| Thu, 07/17/2014 12:43AM -0400
Canada’s Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has held a series of high profile meetings to explain how the new Express Entry system will work.
Express Entry is an electronic application management system that launches in January 2015 and will apply to four existing immigration programmes.
It means that overseas applicants in the Federal Skilled Worker Programme, the Federal Skilled Trades Programme, the Canadian Experience Class, and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programme will get places in a pool from which employers can choose qualified candidates.
They will have to meet the criteria for one of the federal immigration programs, and the aim is to match their skills with the most suitable job.
In turn, the employers will be able to consider candidates who meet their needs when they cannot find a Canadian or permanent resident for the job.
Also, the government‘s new and improved Job Bank will help facilitate matches between Canadian employers and Express Entry candidates.
Express Entry candidates who receive a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or nomination under the Provincial Nominee Programme will be invited to apply for permanent residence soon after.
Alexander said this is a key distinction between the Express Entry system and the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme which is only used to fill temporary labour and skill shortages. Job offers will be subject to Employment and Social Development Canada’s Labour Market Impact Assessment in place at that time.
Alexander is meeting with stakeholders and business leaders to help them understand the new system and how they can benefit and further information sessions will be held across the country.
He described Entry Express as a faster and more effective way for Canada to welcome skilled immigrants and said that Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2014 will invest an initial $14 million over two years, followed by $4.7 million per year, ongoing, to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
‘Express Entry will transform Canada’s immigration system into one that is faster and more responsive to economic and labour market needs. It will allow Citizenship and Immigration Canada to select the candidates who are most likely to succeed economically in Canada, rather than passively process all applicants in a queue,’ he explained.
He also pointed out that Express Entry candidates who are invited to apply for permanent residence can expect faster processing times of six months or less.
‘The government is reforming Canada’s economic immigration system to make it faster, fairer and more flexible to ensure that Canada’s labour market needs are met. Express Entry will connect candidates for permanent residence with employers who have been unable to find skilled Canadians or permanent residents for the job, and bring them here quickly,’ Alexander added.
He also pointed out that the government is working closely with provincial and territorial partners, as well as employers to ensure that January’s launch of Express Entry is a success. - expatforum.com
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