Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Canada to start rolling out Canadian Experience Class with a slight amendment in original proposal

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced to start accepting applications under the newly proposed Canadian Experience Class (CEC) starting September 17, 2008.

This new immigration category under Economic Class will allow certain temporary foreign workers and international graduates with Canadian degrees and Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence from within Canada, which was not possible at federal level previously.

The final implementation of the Canadian Experience Class, however, reflects a minor change which was proposed originally earlier in August.

Under the proposal, CIC had suggested that applicants would be required to have temporary resident status and be present in Canada to be eligible to apply. However, it was determined that this residency restriction is taking away those who have left Canada, but otherwise meet the requirements as workers or graduates. In its final implementation, therefore, the CEC has made eligible to apply those who have left Canada, but otherwise meet the requirements as temporary foreign workers or international graduates, provided they do so within "one year" of leaving their job in Canada.

This change in original proposal also confirming the objectivity of the program that considered an applicant’s experience in Canada a key selection factor.

It has been estimated that if the potential of CEC is properly addressed, this program will not only help address the immediate shortage of workers with specific trade skills but also expand the benefits of immigration to smaller communities across Canada wanting to attract immigrants and take ownership of their settlement and integration.

Canadian Experience Class is part of national strategy on international graduates and temporary foreign works, and key element of government’s long-term immigration plan. Through the Canadian Experience Class, newcomers will be more likely to make the most of their abilities while undergoing a more seamless social and economic transition to Canada. And, in turn, their cultural and economic contributions will enrich Canada.

This initiative, combined with recent changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWP), the establishment of Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO), increased investment in essential settlement services and recent amendments to Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), will not only enhance Canada’s ability to compete with other countries to attract and retain the best individuals with diverse skills from around the world, but also assist employers across the country to capitalize on the skills and experience of these individuals.