Backlog on Federal Skilled Worker Program

According to a press release of March 2013, the Canadian immigration department has cleared the backlog of up to 40% of permanent residence applications. Applications that were lying in the offices for eight to ten years now don’t need to wait for more because they have been cancelled permanently and the data erased. This was a shock for many applicants of permanent residency who were waiting for several years to get a decision – a positive decision – for their immigration from the visa office.

Right from the outset, when Canada launched its Federal Skilled Worker program, a huge influx of people from all around the world dropped their applications. Of course, the lucrative job opportunities and the stable economy of Canada is a hot incentive for many looking for better employment opportunities. However, the government launched a series of strategies to limit the incoming applications, including fortifying its eligibility criteria and announcing a list of needed professions; new applications continued to accumulate at a drastic rate. The Minister acknowledged the fact in the press release that the government has taken bigger bites than it can swallow, and it is limiting its ability to process potential applications for skilled workers, which the Canadian labour market really needs.

The clear-up started in 2008, and in the first quarter of 2012, the government of Canada announced that the backlog had been successfully reduced to 40%. Most of the applicants that became victims of this cancellation were those in the Federal Skilled Worker program who were waiting for the last eight to ten years. The government put a halt to new applications from the Immigrant Investor Program and Family class, however, those in process for the latter continued without any interruption. But what about Federal Skilled Worker applicants?

Why Clear Up?

The backlog has been encumbering the government for the last several years and was frustrating new and fresh talent to apply for immigration. It was a waste of efficiency as potential skilled workers had to wait a long time, which is the reason why many of them retracted their applications. For the immigration department, it was a huge achievement as the office could now focus on potential applications that could work for the growth of Canada’s economy, the ground motive for the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, it was a heavy blow for applicants who had been waiting for their immigration for the last 10 years.

Provincial Nominee Program – Ray of Hope

As part of the clear-up process, provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and others selected potential applications that showed interest in their province and held useful work experience. In November 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced that those people whose applications were cancelled under the Federal Skilled Worker program and that were picked by the province could now apply for an open work permit. The cap for each province was limited to 1500.

We are Experts in Canadian Immigration

We have helped hundreds of people migrate to Canada. Whether you are the victim of Federal Skilled Worker program cancellations or filing a new application, we can help you. We assist people in identifying what is the most appropriate route for them so that they can immigrate to Canada without any hassle. We also help in submitting a complete and impressive application to the immigration office.