Job Questions  

         What is meant by the term ‘skilled worker ’ ?     

Ans:-     This refers to a person with special occupational skills and experience which are transferable to the Canadian labour market. Refer to the Detailed General Occupations list to see the occupations that are acceptable.                         

         Is getting a Canadian work permit not as easy as getting a US work permit (i.e. H1B visa)?

Ans:-     No, getting a Canadian work permit is difficult as explained above. The US H1 visa is easier to get and the employer does not have to advertise and refuse any candidates for this procedure.

         What are the current prospects for employment in Canada? 

Ans:-     The Canadian High Technology, Engineering and Finance sectors and firms therein are now recruiting qualified individuals who are lawfully permitted to take up employment in Canada on a permanent basis. Many of these firms are currently advertising available positions in Canada's leading newspapers, trade journals and or through the Internet. 

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         What are the current job prospectus? 

Ans:-     A number of Canadian firms especially in the sectors of high technology, engineering, sciences, marketing , finance etc. are now recruiting qualified individuals who are lawfully permitted to take up employment in Canada on a permanent basis. Many of these firms are currently advertising available positions in Canada’s leading newspapers, trade journals and on related news groups. 

         Is full-time employment experience a necessary requirement under the Independent category?

Ans:-     In most instances, at least one year of full-time employment experience related to the applicant's intended occupation in Canada, is a necessary preliminary requisite to qualifying for permanent resident status. A number of graduate students and post doctoral candidates may not possess so called "full-time" employment experience within the traditional sense other than faculty related internships, teaching positions, etc. In many cases, such experience may prove sufficient. 
This aspect of an applicant's profile gives rise to the use of discretion by the visa office and accordingly, should be addressed in an appropriate manner, on a case by case basis. 

         What if the intended occupation requires registration/licensing?

Ans:-     There are a number of occupations requiring registration and/or licensing and where special immigration procedures apply. The typical occupations include: 
Engineers - Applicants are encouraged to have their education and employment experience favourably assessed by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE). Applications for permanent residence would include an assessment form (IMM 1338) with a non-refundable service fee of $175 payable to the Council. The visa office will forward the request to the Council for assessment. 
The applicant may directly forward to the Council, the request for assessment. 
Engineering Technologists and Technicians - Applicants are encouraged to have their education and employment experience favourably assessed by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). Applications for permanent residence would include an assessment form (IMM 1338) with a service fee of $175 payable to the Council. The visa office will forward the request to the Council for assessment. 
Occupational Therapists - Applicants are encouraged to have their education and employment experience favourably assessed by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. Applications for permanent residence would include an assessment form (IMM 5206) with a service fee of $100 payable to the Association. The visa office will forward the request for assessment. 
Applicants, who are favourably assessed by the applicable professional entity, may likely be admissible for immigration purposes. However such individuals, once landed will still be obliged to obtain the proper provincial licensing credentials in order to practice in the desired profession/occupation. 

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         What if the intended occupation differs from past employment positions?

Ans:-     With exception, zero units of assessment under the experience factor precludes further processing of the application. However, where the various components of an applicant's employment profile are compatible with the job description of an "open" occupation, current guidelines provide in certain cases for the recognition and transferability of the related experience. 
Interviewing visa officers currently apply a policy consistent with recent changes in judicial interpretation which address the issue of whether or not an applicant meets the employment requirements of their intended occupation as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). 
The number of units of assessment awarded under the experience factor will depend upon reasoned presentations on the part of the applicant which demonstrate the applicant meets the requirements of NOC and would ultimately be left to the discretion of the interviewing visa officer. 

         Is there a requirement for the applicant to obtain a confirmed offer of employment in order to qualify for permanent residence under the Independent category?

Ans:-     The Canadian Citizenship & Immigration authorities do not impose a requirement for applicants to secure a confirmed offer of employment. In essence, current Canadian immigration policy provides that if an applicant meets the skilled worker selection criteria, he/she is likely to become successfully established in Canada. However, "arranged employment", (confirmed by a Human Resources Development Centre) will provide a prospective applicant with an additional 10 units of assessment and in some cases, is an important aspect of the selection process.

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         Do professionals and/or tradesman need regularisation and licensing ? 

Ans:-    There are a number of occupations requiring registration and/or licensing and where special immigration procedures apply. The typical occupations include :
Engineers - assessed by the Canadian Council of Professional Engineers (CCPE).
Engineering Technologists and Technicians - assessed by the Canadian Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT).
Occupational Therapists - assessed by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Applicants who are favourably assessed by the applicable professional entity, will still be obliged to obtain the proper licensing in order to practice in the desired occupation.              

         Are there placement agencies in Canada?   

Ans:-     Yes, there are numerous placement agencies in Canada that can assist you in finding a job.   

         How is experience in a previous or current occupation evaluated when that occupation differs from the applicant's intended occupation in Canada? 

Ans:-     Under the "transferability of experience" rules, experience gained in another profession counts toward the assessment of experience in the intended occupation in Canada, only if the duties performed in the former profession are consistent with those associated with the intended occupation. 

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         Must the experience have been accumulated on a full-time basis? Must it have been accumulated continuously? 

Ans:-     Part-time work experience is acceptable. It is assessed in proportion to a standard full-time working week. For example, a two-year part-time position requiring approximately 20 hours of work each week, will be counted as one year of full-time experience. Non-consecutive work experience in positions involving the same duties may also be counted, if the total work experience meets the minimum experience requirements. 

         How will Taurus Infotek assist me in finding employment?      

Ans:-     We provide job search services and they are listed on our services and fees page. Our firm will ask you to select industries where you believe your skills may be needed. Once the client has identified the industries, we will provide the client with 200 names, addresses and labels of companies that may need your services. We will assist you preparing your CV or bio-data. Once your CV is done then we will send your resume or CV to these 200 companies.

         Is work experience a requirement? 

Ans:-     Work experience is a critical requirement for a Skilled Worker immigrant. Applicants must be able to demonstrate at least one year's work experience in an occupation appearing on the General Occupations List. Work experience should be accumulated after the completion of a formal education or apprenticeship in the field of occupation, or in a related field of occupation. Applicants destined to the Province of Quebec need only demonstrate several months of relevant work experience. Applicants with arranged employment in Canada are exempt from the work experience requirement. 

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Salary Structures For Different Occupations:  
(Note these are starting annual salaries and do not reflect the salaries of experienced candidates)  

(Source: Human Resource Dept: Canada Jan/2001)