NETWORK

What's New
The Quebec Option

MINISTER ADJUSTS SKILLED WORKER PASS MARK AND PROPOSES CHANGES FOR ECONOMIC CLASS IMMIGRATION APPLICANTS AFFECTED BY IRPA TRANSITIONAL RULES

OTTAWA, September 18, 2003 -- The Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada,today announced an important decision and recommendation pertaining to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The Minister announced an adjustment to the pass mark for federal skilled worker applicants. Also, today he proposed new measures for assessing certain economic class applicants who applied under the former Immigration Act but were affected by transitional measures following implementation of IRPA on June 28, 2002.

The Minister's move to adjust the pass mark is a response to Canada's need for skilled workers. Effective immediately, all new skilled worker applicants and those currently in the system who have not yet received a selection decision, will be assessed with the pass mark of 67 (since the implementation of IRPA and until today, the pass mark was 75).

"An important objective of IRPA was to create a system that is flexible," said the Minister. "Today's changes to IRPA reflect this flexibility and our ongoing commitment to listen to the views of all stakeholders. We are responding to current circumstances in a way that continues to encourage skilled immigration within the confines of existing resources and a balanced plan."

Additionally, the Minister is proposing to amend the IRPA transition regulations to allow for all skilled worker and business immigration applicants who applied before January 01, 2002 to be assessed under the selection criteria of the former Immigration Act. Applicants who do not qualify under the former Act would then be assessed under the current IRPA.

"The government's clear intention has always been to treat applicants fairly," explained the Minister. "That is why we introduced and then extended transition measures. The court has suggested that more is required of the government. I have listened to that message. That is why I am proposing these changes today."

The Minister plans to consult his Cabinet colleagues on the proposed regulatory amendments at the first available opportunity. The new pass mark takes effect immediately.

I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GNA

I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANADIAN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

REGISTER FOR OUR UPCOMING SEMINARS IN YOUR AREA

DO I QUALIFY?
If you have not done so already, and you are interested in receiving a free, quick assessment of your qualifications according the new pass mark please submit our online assessment form, in English, at

http://www.globalnetworkassociates.com/index_oa.html

You are also welcome to submit our Quebec online application, at

http://www.globalnetworkassociates.com/index_oaq.html

SKILLED WORKER SELECTION GRID

FACTOR	Final
EDUCATION	25
LANGUAGE	24
EXPERIENCE	21
AGE	10
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT	10
ADAPTABILITY	10
TOTAL	100
PASS MARK	67

FACTOR		Final
EDUCATION		Maximum 25
University Degrees
PhD, or Master's, AND at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		25
Two or more university degrees at the Bachelor's level AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		22
A two-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		20
A one-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		15
Trade or Non-university Certificate or Diploma
A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		22
A two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		20
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		15
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study		12
Secondary School Educational Credential		5
LANGUAGE		Maximum 24
1^st Lang.	High proficiency (per ability¹)	4
	Moderate proficiency (per ability)	2
	Basic proficiency (per ability)	1 to max. of 2
	No proficiency	0
	Possible maximum (all four abilities)	16
2^nd Lang.	High proficiency (per ability)	2
	Moderate proficiency (per ability)	2
	Basic proficiency (per ability)	1 to max. of 2
	No proficiency	0
	Possible maximum (all four abilities)	8
EXPERIENCE		Maximum 21
One year		15
Two years		17
Three years		19
Four years		21
AGE		Maximum 10
Maximum 10 points for:		21-49
Less two points for each year:		over 49 or under 21
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA		Maximum 10
HRDC-confirmed permanent offer of employment		10
Applicants from within Canada holding a temporary work permit that is:
Validated by HRDC, including sectoral confirmations		10
Exempt from HRDC validation under international agreements (e.g., NAFTA) or significant benefit (i.e., intra-company transferee)		10
ADAPTABILITY		Maximum 10
Spouse's or common-law partner's education		3-5
Minimum one year of full-time authorized work in Canada²		5
Minimum two years of full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada²		5
Informal job offer in Canada		0
Points received under the Arranged Employment factor		5
Family relationship in Canada²		5
TOTAL		Maximum 100

Although there are fundamental changes to the Canadian immigration system (the most fundamental changes since 1976), there are also very positive new opportunities that never existed before.

Please do not assume that you will not qualify under the new immigration regulations. We can help. If you have applied under the old system and did not qualify, please resubmit your online assessment form, so that we may reassess you under the new guidelines. Please do not submit another online assessment form if you have applied once already, since your original application will be assessed against the new regulations and you will be notified if you qualify.


back	Newletter Registration	Client Zone