I have but one answer to this question.
Now is the best time to apply!
With the amendment in the Immigration Refugee and Protection act (IRPA) -Immigration made easy and faster!= which aims to speed up the process by 6 to 12 month, the current labor shortage resulting to the opportunity to find work in Canada, the various programs aimed to help the applicant like the Provincial Nominee Program, the Arranged Employment Opinion (AEO), the Labor Market Opinion (LMO) to immigrate in Canada, right now, is not only made faster, it also become a lot easier!
The processing history of the Embassy will show you that this is definitely the best time to apply:
Let us examine the changes in the Canadian immigration rules and regulation. It will explain why you need to file your application NOW!
1992 up to 2001. The passing mark for the immigration program was 70 points. Singles could qualify without having a relative in Canada. However, Canada only opened limited occupations.
December 15, 2001 until March 2002. The Canadian Minister announced the proposed regulations. Before publishing the regulations, there was a public review done in two phases before it was implemented.
- March 21, 2002. The Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration proposed (as revised on February 26, 2002) that skilled workers who applied before December 17, 2001 and who have not received a selection decision before June 28, 2002 will still be selected under the current criteria until the end of 2002. Those who have not received a selection decision by that time will be assessed under the new criteria with a proposed pass mark of 70. This recognizes the fact that some applicants who probably would have been accepted under the current system may not be accepted under the new one. The Department also announced that those who applied before December 17 may, if they wish, have their application fees refunded if their files have not been paper-screened.
- June 11, 2002. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration released the new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). It was implemented on June 28, 2002.
- June 28, 2002 , The passing mark for skilled workers went up to 75 points retroactive from January 01, 200 2 including changes in points for education, training and language where hardly anybody could qualify.
- First quarter of 2003. Those with pending applications were asked to re-file their case, submit additional requirements, take English test as basis for points in language, and submit new application forms. Refusal to comply is tantamount to refusal of their application.
- September 18, 2003 . As a result of massive worldwide protest, pass mark was changed from 75 to 67 points for those applying to immigrate to Canada as skilled workers (to all provinces except Quebec), effective immediately. All skilled worker and business immigration applicants who applied before January 01, 2002 will 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.
- September 1, 2006 . Canadian Visa Office implemented Simplified Application Process With the implementation of this new system, word has it that there would be changes in the immigration regulations - passmark may be increased and or some job classification will be restricted
- June 18, 2008. New Rule ultimately designed to make processing faster and cut Embassy Backlog.
A lot of people do not know that the Government of Canada has a limit on the number of applicants they bring in.
When this quota is filled up, the processing times will get longer once again.
I hope, for your sake, that you take this as a warning and take my message seriously.
If you have the education and the work experience that qualifies you to apply then you have a gift. An opportunity to end, your financial difficulties in the Philippines, and have a new life in Canada.
The way I see it your have two choices, you treat this like most opportunity that you have already came across with, do nothing, or apply and give your family the kind of life that they deserve.
As a consultant, the only thing that I can do is to show you how you will take advantage of this great development, what you do with this opportunity is entirely up to you.
So I ask you this, are you going to immigrate to Canada?