Foreign Credential Referral Office

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) is part of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It was created to help foreign-trained workers succeed in Canada. FCRO provides information, path-finding and referral services to help foreign-trained workers succeed and put their skills to work in Canada more quickly.

Remember that the approval of your permanent resident visa application and eventual entry in Canada does not guarantee you employment in your preferred profession or any other profession.

If you are planning to live and work in canada, gathering information about living and working in Canada will help you prepare for employment in your chosen profession. TheForeign Credential Referral Office created a workbook specifically for this purpose.

Planning to work in Canada? An essential workbook for newcomers was created by FCRO for internationally trained individuals who are considering moving to Canada. It will help you learn how to put your skills, education and experience to work. The workbook is composed of 5 sections:

Living in Canada
The more you learn about Canada, the faster you will be able to adapt to the Canadian work environment. Taking the time to ask questions, to read and research, to watch videos on the Web or elsewhere, can all greatly help your transition from new immigrant to an established and comfortable member of Canadian society. This section is designed to help you learn more about life in Canada, and to guide you in taking a few essential steps as an immigrant.

Canada's Official Languages
Language skills are extremely important to your professional future in Canada. This section will help you learn more about Canada’s two official languages – English and French – as well as assess your language skills and identify opportunities for language training.

Finding a job in Canada
This section is designed to help you understand all you need to do to obtain work in Canada. It provides you with a series of essential steps that will help you learn how to find and get a job in your preferred profession. This process will take time, but completing each task below as thoroughly as possible will give you and your family members the best possible chance to succeed professionally in Canada.

Work Related Documents
This section of the workbook is designed to help you identify and locate documents that may be of importance to you in Canada before you come to Canada. It will also help you to assess the value, in Canada, of documents in your chosen field.

Education Academic Credentials
Education is an asset when searching for work in Canada, but your education may not automatically be recognized in Canada. Demonstrating your education and academic credentials is, therefore, important. Understanding educational equivalencies between your country of origin and Canada will also help you to understand the kinds of jobs you will be likely to obtain in Canada.

For more information about Foreign Credentials Referral Office, visit the official website athttp://www.credentials.gc.ca.

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Proposed Changes on Pointing System-Canada

Last year Canada made a proposal on possible changes in the pointing system. This July 2012 it might be implemented. Here are some of general ideas on how the changes might happen.

What are the proposed changes to Canada's FSW Points System?

Requiring a minimum level of language proficiency
The maximum points awarded for proficiency in the first official language may be increased from 16 to 20, and a minimum language requirements, depending on the immigrant’s occupational skill level will be established. Simply put, it will give Tradespeople a better chance. The current points system is prohibitive against Filipino welders, who of course do not talk to welding rods in English.

If you want to get a better chance, try to get a better IELTS Score.

Placing greater emphasis on younger workers
Under the current points system, a maximum of 10 points is awarded to applicants within the 21-49 years old brachet. The proposal is to award a maximum of 12 points until age 35, with diminishing points awarded until age 49. No age points would be awarded after age 50.

Making the program more accessible to skilled tradespeople
The proposal is to reduce the number of years of education required to claim points for a trade or other non-university credential. This change would help improve access for skilled tradespeople, technicians and apprentices who have valid post-secondary qualifications but not the required number of years of study. There are many skilled and experienced Filipino welders but won't qualify under the current points system due to Education factor. Not many welders have a University Degree.

Redirecting points from work experience to other factors
The proposal is to reduce the total number of points that could be awarded for work experience from 21 to 15.

Reducing the potential for fraudulent job offers
The proposed changes would establish clearer criteria for assessing the genuineness of a job offer, and could require employers to sign a document attesting to their intention to hire the immigrant. They could also include restrictions for employers who don’t comply with this intention.

So there. Again, these are just the proposed changes and not necessarily the new points system to be implemented.

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Caregivers New Requirements

TORONTO--Employers hiring caregivers from the Philippines are now strictly required to have their employment contracts verified with the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) before the documents are processed by the Philippines Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Manila and the workers allowed to leave for Canada.

The new requirement was in response to reports of bogus employers, workers being released upon arrival, and distressed workers being terminated or abandoned by their employers.

To have the documents verified, the employment contract should include the condition that the employer, shall among others, be responsible for the cost of two-way transportation to and from the place of origin, and for health coverage of the worker, where applicable, from the time of arrival until the provincial health insurance applies.

Employers are also required to terminate employment only for just cause, and in case of work-related deaths, to be responsible for the repatriation of remains.

The standard employment contract submitted by employers to Service Canada for issuance of the Labour Market Opinion (LMO), usually does not contain those requirements. A positive LMO is required for the employer to recruit workers outside Canada.

The additional contract requirements have been part of the regulations by the Philippine government for workers being deployed overseas. In addition, beginning December, 2006, agencies and recruiters are prohibited from collecting placement fees from this household service workers.

This was disclosed by Frank Luna, consular officer in charge of the POLO in Toronto. Asked on the basis of the additional conditions after the LMO, Luna, a former practising lawyer in Toronto, explained that “the contract, while approved for LMO purposes, is still a private contract between the employer and the worker. That being the case, such contract is still subject to the laws and policies of the Philippines, which can prescribe additional conditions to protect the interests of its nationals going abroad.”

Luna added that terms and conditions in the contract that are submitted to Service Canada provide only the minimum labour standard requirements, and may not cover or address fully the foreign workers' special needs. In this regard, he said “contracting parties to a private agreement can stipulate on additional conditions, provided such terms and conditions are not contrary to law, morals, public policy, or customs and traditions of both Canada and the Philippines.”

“There is nothing contrary to law or policy of both countries in the additional provisions that we require, Luna clarified, adding that, “Canadian legal precedents, in fact, lean towards interpreting contracts in favour of enhancing workers' benefits and rights.”

At the same time, the labour official also said that laws and regulations in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba prohibit the collection of recruitment or placement fees from workers.

He asked that those violating the “no-placement fee” policy in those provinces and victimizing Filipino workers, be reported to the POLO and to the provincial officials concerned for appropriate action. Labour accords signed by the Philippines with Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba, and the forthcoming memorandum of understanding with Alberta, expressly provide against the collection of recruitment fees from the workers, with such costs to be charged to the employer.

“At this time that we are looking forward to more Filipino workers coming to Canada, those unscrupulous individuals should now be identified and prevented from taking advantage of the more vulnerable sectors of our society in order that the goals of ethical and orderly deployment of our workers as contemplated in our bilateral agreements are achieved,” Luna said.

The POLO has outlined the new procedure and requirements as follows:

1. The additional provisions in the contract that the employer has to conform by her/his signature (to be attached as an additional page to the contract):

“ ADDENDUM TO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

The Employer undertakes to be responsible for:

1. cost of 2-way transportation to and from Canada;

2. health coverage for the employee before the provincial health insurance applies;

3. termination of employment shall only be for cause;

4. in case of work-related death, cost of repatriation of remains to the Philippines;

Employer Employee

Date ______________”

2. With the signed addendum, the Employer shall forward to the Philippine Overseas Labour Office (POLO) the signed employment contract and copy of the Labour Market Opinion for our verification by POLO and authentication by the Philippine Consulate, enclosing a pre-paid return envelope. The original signatures of the Employer on the documents (even if faxed or scanned) are required for verification.

The mailing address is: Philippine Overseas Labour Office, 801-161 Eglinton Ave. East, Toronto, ON, M4p 1J5.

3. Verification fee is US10.00, payable to the Philippines Overseas Labour Office and consular authentication fee of CAD$28.75 payable to the Philippine Consulate General, preferably in money order (which costs less than bank drafts or certified cheques). Official receipts will be issued.

4. We shall be sending back the verified and authenticated documents to the Employer in the return envelope provided, who shall in turn send the documents over to the worker for submission to POEA for his/her exit clearance.

5. In urgent cases, i.e. when flights have already been booked, the POLO may on request, and after having already verified the documents, advise the POEA to release the exit clearance ahead of the original verified documents.

PRESS RELEASE
Philippine Overseas Labor Office

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Canada's 3rd Priority List - Ministerial Instruction 3

CANADA is now OPEN again for IMMIGRANTS!

We now have an idea what the 3rd Ministerial Instruction (MI-3) would be like. The list of 29 in-demand occupations would be retained. However, details on new application requirements and procedures would be made available only on July 1, 2011.

So far, here's what's certain:

1. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will limit the intake of new applications to 10,000 between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

2. Only maximum of 500 applications per occupation would be considered.

Eligibility criteria for federal skilled worker applications as of July 1, 2011

Under changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, federal skilled worker applications are assessed for eligibility according to the criteria listed below. Note: This does not apply to applicants intending to live in the province of Quebec.

These criteria affect you only if you applied on or after July 1, 2011. If your application was received before July 1, 2011, it will be processed according to the rules that were in effect at that time.

Note: If you are applying under one of the 29 eligible occupations, as of July 1, 2011, a maximum of 10,000 Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing in the following 12 months. Within the 10,000 cap, a maximum of 500 federal skilled worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing each year.

Is my application eligible for processing?

CURRENT PRIORITY LIST:

• • 0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
  • 0811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
  • 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
  • 1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
  • 2121 Biologists and Related Scientists
  • 2151 Architects
  • 3111 Specialist Physicians
  • 3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
  • 3113 Dentists
  • 3131 Pharmacists
  • 3142 Physiotherapists
  • 3152 Registered Nurses
  • 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
  • 3222 Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
  • 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
  • 4151 Psychologists
  • 4152 Social Workers
  • 6241 Chefs
  • 6242 Cooks
  • 7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
  • 7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
  • 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
  • 7242 Industrial Electricians
  • 7251 Plumbers
  • 7265 Welders & Related Machine Operators
  • 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
  • 7371 Crane Operators
  • 7372 Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
  • 8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

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July Canada Priority List

Federal Skilled Worker –The list of 29 eligible occupations remains the same for the coming 12 months. However, between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, CIC will only accept a maximum of 10,000 applications for processing under this category of immigration with a cap or limit of 500 applications considered in any one of the eligible occupations. Applicants who have a validated job offer from a Canadian employer will not be affected by the cap limit.

I would like to stress out that applicants must ready their applications as soon as possible. Many applicants had anticipated already of their occupation will be included in the list thus preparing as early as possible. Their documents are all ready and can be submitted this coming july 1.

Just like I said before getting ahead of everyone is your biggest asset in securing your immigrant visa for Canada.

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Canada’s postal service is on strike. Find out how this affects you.

The Canada Post Corporation and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers failed to reach a deal on negotiating a new collective agreement. As a result, the postal workers began a strike effective 11:59 PM EDT Thursday, June 2, 2011.

This will affect you if:

Submitting an application for temporary residence or extending your status

If you are already in Canada and wish to apply for a Study Permit, a Work Permit, an Off-Campus Work Permit or a Post-Graduation Work Permit, or you wish to Extend Your Stay as a Visitor, you are strongly encouraged to submit your application online. Find out how to complete an online application.

Submitting a new application (permanent residence or citizenship) or missing documents

All application forms and guides can be downloaded and most forms will need to be couriered to us.

If you choose to use a courier, please make sure to submit your completed application to the address provided in the application package, ensuring that you include the fee receipt and all the necessary documents.

Ensure you provide an e-mail address when you fill out your application form so that Citizenship and Immigration (CIC) may communicate with you by e-mail.

Your status is about to expire during the strike

If your temporary resident status (e.g., as a worker, student or visitor) is about to expire, you should ensure that your application to extend your status is received by CIC before your status expires as shown on your immigration document. If you do this, your period of authorized stay as a temporary resident will be extended by law until a decision is made and you are notified. In this case, you are considered to have implied status as a temporary resident during that time, as long as you stay in Canada.

Note: “Implied status” only applies if your conditions do not change. For example, if you apply to renew your study permit and the permit expires before you receive an answer, you can continue to study in Canada until you receive a decision. If you hold a work permit, you may continue working under the same conditions as your previous work permit while on implied status if you have applied to extend your stay in Canada as a worker.

As a temporary measure, if your status is about to expire during the postal strike and you cannot use online applications or courier services to extend your status as a temporary resident, CIC will grant you an implied status for the length of the strike. In that case, you will be given a one-month grace period after the strike to submit an application to extend your status without having to restore your status.

You have lost your status

You may apply to restore your status only if you have not been out of status for more than 90 days.

After you apply to restore your status, you may stay in Canada until a decision is made on your application, but you are not allowed to work or study until your status has been restored. There is no guarantee that your application will be approved.

Applications to restore status must be made from within Canada – restoration cannot be granted at ports of entry. If you leave Canada, you will be deemed to be seeking a new entry on your return and will not be eligible for status restoration.

You have already sent your application but it might not have arrived before the strike

If you have submitted an application and you are concerned that it might not be received because of the postal strike, you should keep all of your receipts, which will be an indication that your application is in process. If the application is urgent and it meets CIC’s criteria for urgent processing, you are advised to re-send your application via courier and request a refund on your original payment after the strike is over.

Processing times and application status

Please note that the estimated application processing times in Canada available on the website may be longer than expected given the interruption in mail services. You may be able to view your application status online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please be aware that our automated voice response system at the CIC National Call Centre may also be able to provide you with information about the status of your application.

Fee payment

For your application to be considered complete, you must include the correct fee payment. Due to the postal strike, you are encouraged to pay the fees online. This service is available for most immigration and citizenship applications.

You may also pay fees at a Canadian financial institution. If you cannot or do not want to pay online, you must get an original receipt of payment form IMM 5401 so that you can pay at a financial institution (such as a bank or Western Union). You must include a copy of this receipt when you apply. Normally, the HPM receipt (IMM 5401) is ordered online or through the CIC Call Centre and mailed to the applicant. However, due to the postal strike, if you want to pay the fees at a Canadian financial institution, you may go to your local CIC office and request the IMM 5401 in person. You may consult the CIC website for information on offices open to the public and their operating hours.

Please note that application fees will not be accepted at local offices.

Incorrect or missing fee payments or incomplete applications may result in additional delays in processing your application.

If you are applying from overseas and you have not already sent your application, you can send it by courier or wait until the end of the postal strike.

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Biometric Scanning for Canada Visa Applicants

Federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney's office has confirmed Canada will soon roll out biometric scanning for travellers seeking visas to Canada, but it won't say which country will be first.

On Friday, the Toronto Star reported the federal government is planning to roll out the first phase of the $200-million electronic fingerprinting program in India because of ongoing concerns about widespread immigration fraud on applications from that country.

But spokeswoman Celyeste Power said the story isn't true and there has been no decision yet on which countries are going to get the biometrics.

"There hasn't actually been a decision yet on which countries are going to be involved in biometrics," she said. "There are countries in discussion right now ... No one's being leaned towards."

Power wouldn't say which countries are being considered for the program, but said the ministry expects to make a decision in early fall, or sometime in 2012.

The government announced in 2008 it was moving to biometrics, which is considered more reliable than the use of subjective photo identification by immigration agents, because it uses digital measurements that can be stored on computers and magnetic strips.

In the 2008 budget, the government said, “Border security remains a priority for Canadians. Criminals are increasingly more sophisticated and well funded, including those who engage in document fraud to illegally move people or goods across borders," according the immigration ministry's website.

"Further to biometric field trials in Canada that were successfully completed in 2007, the government will introduce the use of biometric data, such as fingerprints and live photographs, in its visa-issuing process to accurately verify identity and travel documents of foreign nationals who enter Canada," says the website.

*source yahoo.com

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