The rules of the game have changed. Are you prepared for this?

The rules of the game have changed. If you are serious about your dream to live and work in Canada, there should be no room for hesitation. It is important that you make a decision NOW. Otherwise, your opportunity will soon be gone and you'll never know when it will be back again.

A bit of Canada's immigration history is in order.

In the past, almost all professional and skilled workers are eligible to apply for Federal Skilled Worker program. No quota, not cap, no limit. Anybody can apply at his preferred and convenient time. The processing period back then was about 5 to 6 years. There were about 350 occupations eligible.

A new law was passed on June 2008 giving the Immigration Minister the power to identify occupations that are eligible for priority processing through a Ministerial Instruction.

November 2008. The 1st Ministerial Instruction was issued identifying 38 high demand occupations eligible for priority processing with a commitment to process each application within 6-12 months. There was no limit on the number of applications to be processed. Mr. Jamorabo, Mrs. Regencia, Ms. Ruby Calasag were just few of many clients who took advantage of this opportunity. They are now all living an working in Canada with their family.

June 2010. The 2nd Ministerial Instruction was issued identifying 29 in-demand occupations and there's still a commitment to process each application within 6-12 months. This time, however, there's a limit on the number of applications they will receive for processing. A quota and a cap for each occupation was imposed. Only a maximum of 1,000 applications will be accepted until June 30, 2011. As of this writing, the cap for two occupations have already been reached.

June 2011. The chance to file the application of those included in the 29 in-demand occupations would be over. A new list of in-demand occupations would be released through another Ministerial Instruction.

What's in it for you?

If your occupation is included in the current priority list, you should file your application ASAP! The cap for your occupation may be filled sooner than you expect.

What about me? My occupation is not in the current list. Since there will be a cap for the next list of in-demand occupations, I want to make sure my documents are ready. What are my options?

Good thinking! There is a great chance that the cap will be reached within a month or two once the list is made public - just like in the case of US Work Visa Applications. You should really get your documents as early as NOW.

Take the FREE Online Assessment to learn your options.

I will be conducting Live and Work in Canada information seminar in Dagupan City on March 5, 2011. There would be seminar schedule as well in Angeles City and Legaspi City. Seminar details would be posted soon.

For applicants living in Legaspi City and nearby towns, you may send your resume to rgajo@go2canada.com.

The Struggles of One OFW - A True Story

Reuben, an Overseas Filipino Contract Worker (OFW) for seven years testifies that though there have been some changes in their lifestyle when he worked abroad, still, the continuous down slide of the Philippine economy limits his opportunities to live the life he wants for his family.

Everyday is a struggle. With the oil price hike, consumer products became more expensive. The cost of living becomes more intolerable. Reuben may be earning good money as an OFW but he needs to think of a more permanent plan, a more permanent solution. He is not prepared to handle a sudden financial setback e.g. sickness,accident or death, which can totally wipe out all his hard-earned investments.

With the aid of Canadian Immigration Consultancy, Reuben filed his application for permanent resident visa in Canada before signing his next working contract in the Middle East. while his papers were on queue for processing, he continued working abroad to sustain the needs o his family. Likewise, he also saved money, which he thinks would be useful fir his immigrati0n plan.

Reuben returned home to prepare for his interview before the Canadian Consul. Now , he no longer needs to work abroad, away from his loved ones. He need not worry about his kid's tuition fees nor possible medical expenses in event of sickness, accident or even death of loved ones. He is now earning thrice the amount he receives as an Engineer in the Middle East. Being financially secured, He'll be enjoying a truly rewarding retirement years. He'll be living a new life in Canada Together with his family.



Are you a Filipino contract worker currently working abroad away from your family? You can earn in dollars without leaving your family. Live and work in Canada with your family.

Find out how. Take the FREE online assessment.

Medical Laboratory Technologists (NOC 3211) could be next

Medical Laboratory Technologists wasn't not included in the first two Ministerial Instructions identifying the in-demand occupations. Being identified as in-demand would mean a priority processing under Federal Skilled Worker program.

Before the end of June 2011, the new list of in-demand occupations would be made available by Citizenship and Immigration Canada through another Ministerial Instruction. As to how many applications will be set as cap per occupation, we don't know yet. But could Medical Laboratory Technologists be one of the new in-demand occupation?

A colleague told me that she got an inside information that it will be. Do I believe it will be? Yes. My basis is this report from workingincanada.gc.ca.

Over the 2009-2018 period, an occupation will be in excess demand (a shortage of workers) if the projected job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) are greater than the projected job seekers (arising from school leavers, immigration and mobility), while an occupation will be in excess supply (a surplus of workers) if the projected job seekers are greater than the projected job openings. For Medical Technologists And Technicians (Except Dental Health), over the period of 2009-2018, job openings are expected to total 35,142. It is expected that 33,926 job seekers will be available to fill these job openings.

From the projected 33,926 job seekers (Medical Laboratory Technologists), 5,514 or 16% is expected to be coming from Immigration. They can't get the 5,000 Medical Laboratory Technologists if it will not be included in the priority list.

So what's in it for you?

With pending FSW application filed at Canadian Visa Office

If you want an expedited process, make sure you get your documents and application forms ready before the June 2011. You should be able to send your application to CIO immediately after your occupation opens up. You don't need to withdraw your existing application. Do that only when you got the positive assessment.

Medical Laboratory Technologists without pending application

If you are seriously considering to live and work in Canada, here,s what you need to do.

1. Take Canadian Immigration Consultancy free online assessment or send your resume to aapuntar@go2canada.com
2. Attend one of our seminar schedules or set an appointment for orientation. Contact me at mob no 0928-5008826.
3. Sign a consultancy agreement ASAP. Let us help you get ready.

So there. What you do with this information is entirely up to you. A word to the wise. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. START NOW!

Be ready to enter the door when it opens

With the current policy regarding cap in the applications to be received by Centralized Intake Office, it is important that you position yourself as early as now. The new list of priority occupations may be made available soon.




Be ready to enter the door when it opens.

Your dream to live and work in Canada through Canada Immigrant Visa application will depend on how you can answer this question: "If your occupation opens up which makes you eligible to apply, how soon can you file your application?" If you can't file your application in a month or two, it may be too late for you.

It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark. You should start preparing your documents NOW. Immigrating to Canada takes preparation and thus, only serious minded applicants make it.

If you are interested to live and work in Canada, here's what you need to do:

1. Take the online assessment.

2. Attend one of our seminar schedule or schedule an appointment for orientation. This can also be done online.

3. Decide and make a commitment. Sign up consultancy agreement with us

4. Start preparing your documents and application forms.

5. File your application as soon as you meet the eligibility (your occupation opens up, you found an arranged employment or somebody is willing to help you with the Provincial Nominee Program)

While waiting for your eligibility, you may then seek employment abroad if you want. We can still process your application even if you are abroad.

We have laid out a plan for you. It's now for you to decide.

Do not make financial concerns as an excuse. Chances are you have spent money during the Christmas and New Year Celebration. Wouldn't you want to invest in a program where you can enjoy White Christmas everyday?

Christmas and new year celebration is over, what's next?

Christmas and new year celebration is over. If you will compute how much you have spent for the past holidays, you may be surprised and realized that you actually have the money to spend for things you think is important to you. But prior to this, you always think you have financial problems. Isn't that amazing?

Now, everything is back to normal. You then remember your plan to live and work in Canada to give your family a better quality of life. A life where you can celebrate Christmas everyday. But you can't decide because you may think that you have financial problem. Do you really think you have financial problem? Are you really serious about giving your family a better quality of life in Canada? Sometimes, it is just a matter of priority.

If you are still interested to live and work in Canada, there are two important things that you really need to consider:

1. As of January 10, 2010, only 6,188 applictions were received by Centralized Intake Office. This means there are about 14,000 slots still available.

2. If your occupation is in the current priority list, you only have about 6 months to file your application.

You really have to start NOW! This opportunity will not wait for you, you have to do something.

Let's set an appointment to start the process. Our flexible payment scheme is still available.

I want to apply but my occupation is not in the list, what options do I have?

The new list of priority occupations may be made available this coming July 2011. And when it's released, expect that there would also be a cap on the number of applications to be received per occupation. Some applicants would be preparing their documents and application forms as early as now. This is to make sure that they would be able to file their application any moment thier occupation opens up. Some others would of course prefer to do it only when the list is made available. The first are the serious applicants while the second are those who not really sure of what they want.

If you belong to the first group, if you are serious about living and working in Canada, then we have a program for you. For only P15,000, you can avail of our START UP Program to get your application ready. Send your resume now for assessment, we can discuss this online and it's free. But if you prefer, visit our office for orientation/seminar.

CIO Online Inquiry | Check your application status

Last month, the 1,000 cap for nurses has been reached and all applications received past the 1,000 cap will be returned unprocessed. If you're a nurse who sent an application to Centralized Intake Office (CIO) and is wondering what's the status of your application, there is actually a way to check your application status. No, do not send email to FSW-Centralized-Intake-Office@cic.gc.ca, you will not receive a reply from that email account.

You can contact Federal Skilled Worker Client Service Unit through their online inquiry form.

You will receive an email from FSW-Sydney-Search-Enquiry@cic.gc.ca so make sure you add this address to your contact list and better yet, create an email filter to make sure it doesn't go to your spam folder.

This CIO Online Inquiry form of course applied also to all who have sent applications to CIO and not just for nurses. Of course, you have to make sure first that your application was in fact received by CIO by checking with your courier before making an inquiry.

1,000 Cap for Nurses has been reached | Federal Skilled Worker Program

As of December 22, 2010, the 1,000 cap for Registered Nurses has already been reached.

This means, the Centralized Intake Office will only accept applications for this occupation from people with an existing offer of arranged employment. Otherwise, it will be returned unprocessed.

I'm a registered nurse and I don't have an arranged employment. But I meet the 67 points pass mark. I'm in the middle of preparing my supporting documents, WHAT NOW?


First, do you still want to live and work in Canada? If yes, then remember this: 'People never plan to fail. They just fail to plan.'

Now isn't your time, but make sure when your occupation opens up again, you will be ready to file your application in an instant. Your time may come this July 2011.

Go ahead, get your documents ready as early as now! It is not impossible that the cap for nurses will be filled up in a month or two after it open up. It will be a huge mistke if you will miss that opportunity again.

Legislation to crack down on crooked consultants may soon become a law

Cracking Down on Crooked Consultants Act received final approval in the House of Commons on December 7, 2010. It will now be forwarded to Senate for consideration.

Here's a recent news release from Citizenship and Immigration Canada regarding this development, statement Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

“In their quest for personal gain, crooked consultants have displayed a wanton disregard for our immigration rules and bilked too many people out of their hard-earned dollars,” said Minister Kenney. “They are a menace, posing a costly threat not only to their victims, but also to the integrity and fairness of our immigration system. When crooked consultants encourage prospective immigrants to cheat the system, it slows down the immigration system for those following the rules.”

The legislation would make it a crime for unauthorized individuals to provide immigration advice or representation for a fee. This includes services offered or performed before an application is submitted or a proceeding begins, thus closing a loophole in the current framework. It would also give the Minister the authority to designate a body to govern immigration consultants and authorize the Governor in Council to make regulations to enhance the government’s oversight of this body. [Source]

Legislation to crack down on crooked consultants a step closer to becoming law. The days of crooked immigration consultants are numbered!

Image Credit:http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/herblock/crook.html

CIO Assessment Notice - Applications filed after June 26, 2010

Today, we have received the first Centralized Intake Office (CIO) assessment notice for application filed after the June 26, 2010 changes. It is just weird that the notice we received is for an applicant whose application was filed last week of July 2010. We have some clients filed weeks before that.

Anyway, to give you an idea about the content of the letter, here's a summary

Basis of eligiblity (work experience or arranged employment

Acknowledgement for your payment

Your File No. and information on what happens next: your application will be forwarded to Canadian Visa Office for further processing

That you should inform the Visa Office in case of changes in your application (e.g. birth or adoption of a child, marriage or common-law relationship, new occupation or employer, submission of an Arranged Employment Opinion approved by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, change of address, change of e-mail address, change of immigration representative, etc). Please include a letter identifying what the changes are any relevant supporting documents. If your documents are not in English or French, send a notarized (certified) translation with a copy of the originals.

Prior to the June 26, 2010 changes, upon receipt of CIO Notice, applicants are being given 12o days to submit supporting documents. It looks like that the instruction on when to submit your original or supporting documents will be coming from the Visa Office this time. Most likely, you will be given only 45 days to comply. You better get your documents ready as early as now.

Choices are the hinges of destiny

When we opended our office at Mall of Asia in Pasay City last year, Ms. Rizza Nandwani was one of the first clients who chanced upon our office there, walked-in to inquire and decided right there and then to start with her application. She is a Certified Public Accountant and during that time, Accountants are still included in the priority list. It is currentlt not included in the 29 In-Demand Occupations.

It took a while before her application was filed to Centralized Intake Office (CIO) because according to her, she wasn't in a hurry. But because we constantly remind her of the possibility of changes in the immigration regulations that may affect her application, her application was fortunately sent to CIO before the June 26, 2010 Ministerial Instruction.

Shortly after that, she finally got her visa and was one of those who was there at the immigrant's visa party last Saturday.

If you are eligible under the current regulations, start your application now! Choices are the hinges of destiny.

Do you need an immigration representative?

The short answer is NO. You do not need to hire an immigration representative for your immigrant visa application. That is of course based on the premise that you actually know what to do. But remember, small mistakes may cause BIG problems.

Take this for example.

I have just read and replied this email today from one of my blog readers.

I had applied Canada PR application for federal class worker with NOC code 1122. The application was applied on 25 oct but returned today since we had not submitted the family information for the spouse. We did not know if we had to submit that form for spouse as well. What should i do know. I had invested so much of time and effort? should i type an explanation and letter and see if they can accept it even though the quota is over. Please advise. this is very urgent and can be depressing.

The recourse should have been to complete the forms and send a new application. Unfortunately for this applicant, NOC 1122 have already reached the 1,000 cap. To be eligible, the applicant now needs an arranged employment.

This is where the advantage of having an immigration representative like Canadian Immigration Consultancy (CIC) comes in.

With CIC, there are series of checking done before your application is sent to Centralized Intake Office or to Canadian Visa Office. This minimizes, if not totally omit, mistakes such as incomplete forms and wrong information. You will be guided. It may take longer before your application is filed but you can rest assured that your application is complete. CIC does not guarantee approval of your application. But we sure can help you increase chances of your approval.

So there. Do you need an immigration representative?

Image Credit: www. semsamurai .com

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will now only accept applications for NOC 1122 if with Arranged Employment

Here's an updated on NOC 1122 as November 5, 2010.



Noticed the '(Cap Reached)**'? That wasn't there few days ago. Check my NOC 1122 update as of Nov 1, 2010 for the screen shot.

Here's what the double asterisk means:

**Once the cap has been reached, we can only accept applications for this occupation from people with an existing offer of arranged employment. [Source]

With that, it's now official. Applicants for NOC 1122 will no longer be accepted unless you have an Arranged Employment.

If your occupation is classified under NOC 1122 and you still want to pursue your dream to live and work in Canada, start looking for NOC 1122 job vacancies in Canada and send your resume. Make sure you prepare a Canada resume format.

Here's a list of Canada Jobs Portal where you may find job vacancies for NOC 1122.

TEF: Test d’évaluation de français | TEF in the Philippines

Language proficiency is once of 6 selection criteria in Canada's points system for Federal Skilled Worker progam. It is composed of parts - English and French.

For English language, you need to take IELTS Exam. To get the maximum of 16 points for English language, you need to get a minimum scors of 7.5 for listening and 6.5 for reading, writing and speaking.

For French language, you can get a maximum of 8 points. To get that, you need to take the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) or French language evaluattion test.

For information on how take the TEF in the Philippines:

Alliance Française de Cebu
Q.C. Pavilion
Gorordo Ave.
Cebu City
Philippines
Tel + 63 32 232 1311
Fax + 63 32 232 1311
Site http://www.lesamisdelafrance.ph

Alliance Française de Manille
209, Nicanor Garcia Street (formerly Reposo St.)
Bel Air II, Makati City
1209 Makati City Metro Manilla
Philippines
Tel 632 895 77 57
Fax 632 899 36 54
Site http://www.alliance.ph

You must submit results from the following TEF tests as proof of your French language proficiency:

- compréhension écrite
- compréhension orale
- expression écrite
- expression orale

If you get at least Level 3 scores each, you will get additional 2 points.

If you are single with only one year experience, you will not meet the 67 points pass mark if you don't have a Master's Degree, relatives in Canada, have only one year experience, and a good IELTS Exam score. Thus, taking TEF: Test d’évaluation de français is an option that applicants may consider.

Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.

Because of the news that NOC 1122 have already reached the 1,000 cap, I have been receiving lots of email telling me that they were sad and find the news depressing. Most of them say that they were just waiting for IETS Exam. Some are waiting for feedback from friends in Canada and some others blame it to financial concerns.

These were the same reactions I received when the 2nd Ministerial Instruction were issued, wherein Accountants who used to be included in the priority list were no longer included in the 29 In Demand Occupations. Those Accountants who weren't able to file felt the same way.

What can I say?

Sometimes it's really the smallest decisions that can change your life forever. Immigrating to Canada is not just a matter of making a decision. It is about making a a timely decision that requires serious commitment. Thus, only serious minded applicants can successfully pull it off.

I don't mean to rub it in and make you feel sorry. But you see, I keep repeating on this blog the importance of making a decision.

Immigration rules change, you have to make a timely decision

Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.

It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.

Dreaming for a better quality of life? Decide now and make a commitment to that decision!

The list has been there since June 2010 - five months ago! What took it you so long?

If you are serious about immigrating to Canada and you still want to live and work in Canada, you shouldn't lose hope. There are other programs to immigrate to Canada depending on your circusmtances. There's Provincial Nominee Program, Arranged Employment and Canadian Experience Class. Most of these programs require a job offer. Here's how to find jobs in Canada. And bear in mind that Canada's door to immigration is still wide open and that your occupation may still be included again in the next Ministerial Instruction. You better be ready when your occupations opens up again. Don't say you were never warned.

And now for those whose occupations are still open.

What are you waiting for? Start the application NOW. Don't wait until you get the IELTS Exam Score before you visit our office to start the process. Let's get your documents ready while you are preparing for the IELTS Exam. By doing so, we will be able to file your application as soon as you get the IELTS Exam Results.

But what if I did not reach the required pass mark due to poor IELTS Scores?

That's understandable. But you need to ask yourself, if you failed the IELTS exam, are you going to take the exam again?

If your answer is NO, then forget about seeing us. That would only mean you are not serious about this golden opportunity. And we only deal with serious minded applicants.

If your answer is YES, then that means you don't easily give up and will do everything in your power to give your family a better quality of life by immigrating to Canada. If passing the IELTS Exam is the only thing that it takes to do that, I think it is not too much of a sacrifice even if it means taking it again and again. It may cost you money, yes, but think about the rewards of living and working in Canada. Can you think of an investment with that amount that will give at least one half of the benefits you will get as a permanent resident in Canada?

Did I hear you said Lottery? ;-)

But do you have a better chance in winning the lottery than passing the IELTS exam? Come on! LOL

So there. If you think you are serious about this opportunity, come and see us. Attend one of our Live and Work in Canada Informationl Seminars.

Image Credit: http://favelafabric.com

Update on Applications received by Centralized Intake Office | NOC 1122 reached the 1,000 cap!

UPDATE - Nov 8, 2010: NOC 1122 applications without arranged employment will no longer be accepted.



I have just checked Citizenship and Immigration Canada website for updated on the total number of complete FSW applications received since June 26, 2010 and I was surprized with what I have seen. NOC 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to now have reached 1,000 cap as of Nov 1, 2010! Few days ago, I posted something like Less than 100 spots remain for skilled worker NOC 1122.

But something is not right here. Yesterday, from the same website, there's only 940 and the report was as of Nov 2, 2010. And now the report as of Nov 1, 2010 is already 1,000? Too bad I do not have a screen shot.

The only explanation there is that the number of complete Federal Skilled Worker applications received as reported is just an approximate. NOT ACTUAL.

If Citizenship and Immigration Canada will base the cap on the applications received and not based on the positive assessments, that will be sad. I suspect that most of those who applied under NOC 1122 are not really eligible. And if that is the case, many NOC 1122 applicants will receive a negative assessment.

I reapply hope they reconsider it, at least for NOC 1122.

Now, what if your job classification is NOC 1122 and you haven't sent your application to Centralized Intake Office yet?

My suggestion is to send it just the same. Remember that the numbers indicated in the report is just approximate. And who knows, they may based the cap on the postive assessments and not based on applications received?

If your application did not make it to the cap, the worst scenario is that your application will be returned unprocessed. The processing fee will be refunded in full. The only expense you will incur is the courier charges which is very minimal.

17,000 slots still available for Federal Skilled Worker applicants!

If you are interested to live and work in Canada, it is never too late start your application now.



Between June 26, 2010, and June 30, 2011, a maximum of 20,000 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing. Within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing within this same time frame.

As of October 29, 2010, a total of 2,988 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications (without Arranged Employment) was received by Centralized Intake Office (CIO). That only means some 17,000 slots is still available for Federal Skilled Worker applicants!

But always remember that the quota may be filled sooner than we expect. If you are seriously considering this opportunity, you should start your application NOW! People never plan to fail. They just fail to plan.

Now, do you really want to give your family a better quality of life by immigrating to Canada? Do you have the courage and determination to make such decision?

If you answer yes, then here's a plan you may want to consider.

1. Take the free online assessment if you want to find out if you are eligible.

2. We can discuss the process via email but if you want, attend one of our seminar schedules. We can also set a one-on-one orientation.

3. Decide. Start your application and make a commitment to your decision. It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.

4. Processing of Federal Skilled Worker program only takes about 6-12 months. That means immigrant visa for you and your family in less than a year!

5. As a permanent resident in Canada, you can legally apply for any work that you may qualify to. You and your family will be entitled to various social benefits like health care, free education, monthly allowance for your kids, great income opportunities, retirement pay and more. Simply put, you will have a secured future, a better quality of life!

You must have been warned against letting the golden hours slip by; but some of them are golden only because we let them slip by. ~James Matthew Barrie

If you think this is a good plan, let's get this started!

Less than 100 spots remain for skilled worker NOC 1122 (Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management)

I was in a bus going back to Manila when I read this twit from Citizenship and Immigration Canada about NOC 1122 having only less than 100 spots left for Federal Skilled Worker applications.

I was like, WHAT?! I mean that could mean the 20,000 quoata may already have been met!

But when I read the article, it turned out that only 2,988 total complete FSW applications received since June 26, 2010 as of October 29, 2010

Looking at the breakdown, there were 900 applications received for NOC 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management and surprisingly, ONLY 405 applications received for nurses!

I really can't believe those numbers. Would you think that there are more advertising specialist and ISO/Management Consultants combined than registered nurses? I don't think so.

But why did that happened?

In my experience, there are many applicants who really want to apply for that job classification but I discourage them because they are not really eligible. An office administrator do not belong to that job classification. Administraive supervisors do not belong to NOC 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management. The same thing is true for Systems Analysts and Informationation Systems Manager.

My theory is that most of those who applied for NOC 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management - those 900 applications - were not really eligible for that job classification. There is a great chance that most of these applications will receive a negative assessment from Centralized Intake Office (CIO).

Now if you are applying for NOC 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management, you should get your application filed soon. Apparently, the basis of 20,000 quoata is the applications received and not those assessed to be eligible for processing.

If Citizenship and Immigration Canada wants to get the desired numbers, it should based the quoate on CIO's positive assessments and not applications received. I hope they reconsider it.

Total complete FSW applications received since June 26, 2010 | 2,988 of 20,000 as of October 29, 2010

I keep on reminding you that only a maximum of 20,000 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing between June 26, 2010, and June 30, 2011. And that within the 20,000 cap, a maximum of 1,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing within this same period.

Because of that, one of the common question I receive from applicants is that how would they know that their occupation is not yet closed. That is there some sort of online reference being updated daily. My answer was of course was there's none. We would only if the cap or quota is already filled only when Centralized Intake Office released a statement.

They have just did. As of October 29, 2010, a total of 2,988 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications (without Arranged Employment) was received by CIO. Below is the breakdown:

Eligible Occupation (by NOC code)	Number of Complete Applications Received

0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers	116
0811 Primary Production Managers (except Agriculture)	29
1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management	900
1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners	40
2121 Biologists and Related Scientists	141
2151 Architects	165
3111 Specialist Physicians	126
3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians	157
3113 Dentists	197
3131 Pharmacists	260
3142 Physiotherapists	55
3152 Registered Nurses	405
3215 Medical Radiation Technologists	8
3222 Dental Hygienists and Dental Therapists	4
3233 Licensed Practical Nurses	18
4151 Psychologists	37
4152 Social Workers	81
6241 Chefs	17
6242 Cooks	44
7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades	19
7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades	53
7241 Electricians (except Industrial and Power System)	32
7242 Industrial Electricians	36
7251 Plumbers	8
7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators	7
7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics	14
7371 Crane Operators	0
7372 Drillers and Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction	2
8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service	17

Please note that this is just an approximate number of applications receive. This just a guide and there's no guarantee that your application will fall within the cap.

This is GOOD NEWS! There are still plenty of slots open! Those interested to live and work in Canada may take our Free Online Assessment.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC)

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the nationally accepted reference on occupations in Canada. It is the authoritative resource on occupational information in Canada. It is used daily by thousands of people to understand the jobs found throughout Canada's labour market.

There are two major attributes of jobs used as classification criteria in developing the NOC - skill level and skill type.

Skill level is defined generally as the amount and type of education and training required to enter and perform the duties of an occupation. In determining skill level, the experience required for entry, and the complexity and responsibilities typical of an occupation are also considered in relation to other occupations.

There are four skill levels identified in the NOC:

SKILL LEVEL A - requires University degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate)

SKILL LEVEL B - requires two to three years of post-secondary education at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP. Occupations with supervisory responsibilities are also assigned to skill level B. Occupations with significant health and safety responsibilities (e.g., fire fighters, police officers and licensed practical nurses) are assigned to skill level B.

SKILL LEVEL C - requires one to four years of secondary school education or up to two years of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience

SKILL LEVEL D - requires short work demonstration or on-the-job training. No formal educational requirements

Skill type is defined as the type of work performed, although other factors related to skill type are also reflected in the NOC. One of these factors is similarity with respect to the educational discipline or field of study required for entry into an occupation. Another factor is the industry of employment where experience within an internal job ladder or within a specific industry is usually a prerequisite for entry.

Ten broad occupational categories, based on skill type, are identified in the NOC.

0. Management Occupations
1. Business, Finance and Administration
2. Natural and Applied Sciences and Related Occupations
3. Health Occupations
4. Occupations in Social Science, Education, Government Service and Religion
5. Occupations in Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
6. Sales and Service
7. Trades, Transport and Equipment Operators and Related Occupations
8. Occupations Unique to Primary Industry
9. Occupations Unique to Processing, Manufacturing and Utilities

For Federal Skilled Worker program, only NOC Levels O, A and B are eligible to apply. These are the occupations under NOC Skill Type 0 and Skill Levels A and B.

Currently, only the 29 high demand occupations may apply based on the 2nd Ministerial Instruction. If your occupation is not in the priority list but is included in the NOC Levels 0, A and B, you may still be eligible under the Federal Skilled worker program as long as you have an arranged employment.

For more information about the National Occupational Classification (NOC), visit http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca.

One of the reasons why I love my job

Image Credit: http://www.fotojens.se/

I received this interesting letter from one of my clients who landed in Alberta five months ago. With his permission, I'm posting his letter here. I figured this would be helpful to those moving to Canada.

Dear Sir,

It’s nice to hear that more clients have already received their visas from the Canadian government. But it’s also disheartening that Canada is limiting the number of applicants.

It’s been five months since we landed in Canada and this is how we fared so far:

The trip was very tiring and physically demanding. The flight by Canada Air from Hong Kong to Vancouver took 12 hours. We literally fell in and out of sleep the whole time. Add to that the many times we encountered turbulence in airspace shaking the plane on many occasions. The food was good, though. And plentiful compared to the usual meals given by PAL and Cebu Pac in our domestic flights.

Vancouver was another story. The immigration line was long on that day. There were both contract workers and immigrants. There were only 2 immigration officers to process some 50 new entrants on that afternoon. It was good there was some allowance of three hours to the next flight. Or else, we could have missed the next flight to Calgary.

When our time at the immigration officer came, we were asked where our permanent Resident card will be sent to. Since we have no address yet in our preferred destination, we gave the address of my sister in law in Calgary. We were asked too many questions that sounded somewhat annoying like “have you been convicted or tried of any crime”, and “have you been sent home to the Philippines by the Canadian government” and something like that. We were also asked about the settlement funds and asked for proof. When all of the asking was over, we finally heard the words “Welcome to Canada!”

This is it. We finally made it. We were asked to sign our papers in front of the immigration officer and he handed us a carbonized copy of our landing papers. We were told to always carry it with us until we receive the PR cards.

We arrived at Calgary on the same day, April 14 at 10pm. We were met at the airport by my sister-in-law and two of her friends. The luggage was many so that we needed 2 cars.

What impressed us when we finally stepped out of the airports was the vast landscape. The air was cold at 12-14 ˚C. Another thing that impressed us was the courtesy of the people, the clean surroundings, the orderly manner things are run. There was no baggage claims at the airports, by the way. You have to get your luggage from the conveyor. The queues are orderly.

The following day we went to the nearest Service Canada site and applied for the Social insurance Number (SIN). We cannot work legally in Canada without it. Then we applied for the Health card in the next block. In the afternoon, we opened a joint account at the Bank of Montreal. We got our ATM cards on the same afternoon.

The SIN came a week after. The health cards came two weeks after. Now we use the card whenever we go to the doctor. We don’t pay anything in a hospital or clinic. One condition of the card, though, is that you have to live in the province where it is issued for at least 180 days during the year. We found a family doctor after a month here. He is also a Filipino who has been here for over 10 years now. He was previously residing in Winnepeg MB the last 7 years but complained about the cold weather there. He found Calgary OK so he decided to be here.

What is also good about Alberta is the provincial sales tax of 0%. It is the only province to subsidize the PST. We only pay 5% Federal Tax on all purchases or services unlike the other provinces which have 7 8 or 9% PST.

I found a job after two months but held on to it for only a month. Something happened inside the company that the owner decided to have a long vacation. We were told to seek another employment. Some employees stole money, equipment and messed up the records. I have to do a lot of reconciliations but when the police came, we turned over what we have documented. I found another one soon and this one is much better.

The secret of finding work here? Have a Canadian work experience and/or Canadian credential. Since I was a CPA in the Philippines, I decided to enroll in a Canadian accountant designation. There are the Certified General Accountant, the Certified Management Accountant and the Chartered Accountant course. I also submitted my credentials to the International Qualifications Assessment office in Edmonton. The process took 12 weeks and now I have a Canadian credential. After my first employment, I have Canadian experience. So, Canadian experience plus CGA student credential equals more job opportunities. Landing a job is not that difficult even when the people here say Calgary is still in recession.

*** also found a job as cashier in a big company (Canadian Tire). You can take a peek at the website. She gave up the job because she will have a hard time scheduling work and studies the moment she attends classes. She now works in a law firm. Mind you, her salary is more than what I was receiving from my former job in the Philippines.

*** is now in grade 6. She has developed a curled tongue as what the Pinoys here tease. Speaks English with the Canadian accent. French is also taught in the schools and she can communicate in French. We applied for children’s allowance and were granted by the Federal government since our income was limited then. We receive a monthly allowance for *** about $300 Canadian. We will surely lose that after we file the income tax next year. Or maybe not yet if we don’t get over the minimum income tax level.

We are building credit history so that we can apply for a house loan. We were told that it can only happen after a year from arrival. Everything goes to our SIN records. Including purchases, employment pay, everything recorded.

Summer ends September 22 but outside temperature is from 1 to 10 degrees Celsius. Wait until winter comes. The temp plunges below zero and that is really cold!

A couple of days ago, I received another letter from the same client. According to him, he was now hired as Chief Compliance Officer of a securities firm. He is now registered with Canadian National Registration Database (NRD) as a securities worker. All that in less than a year in Canada!

His elder daughter is now working as Admin Assistant getting $15/hr. 7 hrs a day! When they received their visa, that daughter have just finished college here in the Philippines. How's that for a first job?

This is what I have been saying for the longest time. The Top 8 Reasons not to Immigrate to Canada by NotCanada.Com is not for Filipinos. Because Filipinos Rock! ;-)