CANADA: LAND OF OPPORTUNITY?
Special track for skilled professionals immigration

For numerous people in the Arab region, specially graduate professionals, immigration to Canada has been an option considered at one point or the other of their career. Canadian statistics show that 48,078 professionals migrated to Canada from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region last year, accounting for 19.2 % of the 250,346 immigrants to that large North American country. This is the highest number of immigrants to Canada in the last three years.

You have a number of options when applying for permanent residence status in Canada, however the one with the most potential, would be the: "Skilled Worker Class Immigration". Canada values the skills and experiences that foreign professionals bring with them; these are also more likely to be employable in a short time and not require state assistance.

One of the most acute skill shortages today in Canada, is on the IT front. A new study prepared for the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) by IDC Canada and Aon Consulting forecasts that as the economy improves, the demand for skilled IT workers will once again outpace supply. The study predicts that 38,000 IT jobs will be added in 2002, potentially creating a gap of approximately 9,900 unfilled positions.

So, if you are still interested, find out below more information on Canada's "Skilled Worker Class Immigration":

Skilled workers are people who may become permanent residents because they can become economically established in Canada. To be accepted as a Skilled Worker, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum work experience requirements;
• Prove that they have the funds required for settlement;
• Language proficiency
• Earn enough points in the six selection factors to meet the pass mark

Minimum work experience requirements
You must meet the following minimum work experience requirements to allow you to apply as a skilled worker:

• You must have at least one year of full-time work experience. You must have been paid for this work.
• Your work experience must be in the category of Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• You must have had this experience within the last 10 years.

Find the title of any full-time jobs you had in the past 10 years using the National Occupation Classification list (click here). This is a list of all jobs that are in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B on the NOC. Write down the four-digit code located to the left of your job's title.

Then click here and type your four-digit job-code in the "Quick Search" box. Make sure you press the "GO" button. A description of your occupation will appear. Make sure the description and "Main Duties" describe what you did at your last jobs.
Note: you do not have to meet the "Employment Requirements" listed in the description.
If the initial description and list of main duties matches what you did at your last jobs, you can count this experience as when you apply as a skilled worker.

You do not meet the minimum requirements if:

• None of your work experience is listed in the NOC list;
• Your experience did not occur in the 10 years before you applied; or
• Your only work experience is in a restricted occupation.

If you do not meet the minimum work experience requirements, your application as a Skilled Worker will be refused.

Proof of funds:
The Government of Canada does not provide financial support to new skilled worker immigrants. You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from another person. You must be able to use this money to support your family.
You will need to provide proof of your funds when you submit your application for immigration. The amount of money that you need to have to support your family is determined by the size of your family.

You do not have to show that you have these funds if you have arranged employment in Canada.

Language proficiency:
The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada's official languages is very important to you, as a skilled worker. Abilities in English, French or both will help you in the Canadian labor market. Language proficiency is one of the six selection factors for skilled workers. You will be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high abilities in English and French.

The six selection factors:
Applications are assessed on six selection factors and a points system.
These factors address your education, language skills, length of experience, age (you get less points if you are below 21 or over 49), arranged employment and adaptability.
For more details on the scores, click here.

Now what?
If you are interested to pursue this direction, and believe you qualify as per the above criteria, you should visit the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate and fill the necessary application forms.