Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

2




Thousands of skilled professionals are needed to work in Canada in a range of occupations that require a post-secondary education (such as a university degree), but many employers cannot find enough qualified Canadian workers to fill job openings. Many of these skilled professions are in such fields as management, information technology (IT), engineering, financial services, healthcare and education. Therefore, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) was created to grant Canadian permanent residency to qualified foreign professionals and their eligible family members so they will move to Canada to live, work and contribute to the country’s economy and multicultural society.

Requirements

The FSWP is a points-based Canadian immigration program in which points are given for six selection factors: (1) English and/or French language skills; (2) education; (3) relevant work experience; (4) age; (5) arranged employment in Canada; and (6) adaptability. A minimum of 67 out of 100 points possible is required, plus other criteria must be satisfied.
The main applicant must also have at least one year of full-time paid work experience (i.e., 1,560 hours) during the past 10 years in a qualifying occupation categorized at Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or Skill Level B on Canada’s 2011 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
In addition to meeting these requirements, the main applicant must possess adequate language abilities in English or French (the two official languages of Canada) as demonstrated by a satisfactory score on an approved language evaluation test, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam for English or the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) for French (test scores must be less than two years old).
Furthermore, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from an approved assessing agency is required for the FSWP to determine to what extent the education received by the main applicant outside of Canada is comparable to an education received inside Canada.
Other requirements for immigration to Canada through the FSWP include meeting the good health and character criteria. “Proof of Funds” may also be requested to demonstrate that an applicant has adequate financial resources to support his/her family after moving to Canada.

Procedure

Since January 1, 2015, applicants for immigration to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) must file an Express Entry profile with the Canadian immigration officials. The Express Entry profile is filed online and it contains the relevant details about the applicant and any family members who will also be applying for immigration to Canada. In order to file the Express Entry profile for immigration to Canada through the FSWP, the applicant will need to have already received the results from his/her English and/or French language evaluation test(s) and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), since these results will be requested for the profile.
After the Express Entry profile is submitted, a Canadian immigration official will review the information and a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS) will be calculated for various factors (a total of 1200 points is possible). If an applicant appears to meet the eligibility requirements for the FSWP (or another Canadian immigration program that qualifies for Express Entry), his/her profile will be entered into the Express Entry pool of candidates for up to 12 months.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool who receive a qualifying offer of employment in Canada, or who are nominated for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) by a Canadian province or territory, or who are among the highest scoring candidates in the pool, may be offered an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Once the ITA is issued, the Canadian visa application and the related fee(s) and supporting documents (e.g., the language test score, ECA, medical exam results, police certificate, proof of funds, etc.) must be submitted within 90 days and then a visa decision is usually made within six months.

Benefits

If approved for Express Entry immigration to Canada through the FSWP, the main applicant and his/her eligible family members will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident (PR) Visa to Canada will be stamped inside their passport(s). These must be presented at the port of entry when the new permanent residents first move to Canada. After immigrating to Canada, a Canadian Permanent Resident Card will be mailed to the immigrant(s) and must be carried as an official form of identification and proof of permanent resident status in Canada.
There are many benefits of being granted Canadian permanent residency, including:
  • the right to live and work in Canada long-term;
  • the right to free basic healthcare;
  • having access to various educational programs;
  • sponsoring eligible family members for a Canadian visa;
  • opening a bank account in Canada;
  • applying for a driver’s license;
  • the option to start a business;
  • the opportunity to buy a home or own other property in Canada;
  • the right to travel to and from Canada;
  • the option to apply for Canadian citizenship and a passport (once the criteria are met);
  • the opportunity to experience the high standard of living, freedom, diverse culture, spectacular scenery and many activities that make Canada a great place live!
To receive an assessment of your eligibility for the FSWP or other Canadian immigration programs, Contact us

How to Apply for a Canadian Tourist Visa

1
How to Apply for a Canadian Tourist Visa

Almost all applications for the Canadian visa is done through VFS global. The process is detailed and clear. Let’s take a look at the VFS process here.

The first step to applying for a Canadian visa is to read the requirements and application form thoroughly.
Download the correct form and the checklists you require.
Fill out the form and attach your documents electronically. You then need to print it on a white, non-glossy, bond sheet of paper with a laser printer.
In case you cannot fulfill the documents required, you can fill out the waiver form and sign it. Then attach it to your application form.
You are required to read the privacy policy. Fill out the consent form and then attach it to your application form. This is required by VFS to carry out your visa application. If you miss this step, the application will be returned to you.
After this, you can proceed to pay the fees. The process and instructions are given in detail on the Canadian Visa Office website.
If you choose to submit your application through the Canada Visa Application Centre (CVAC), by mail or in person, then additional CVAC service fees must also be paid.
Keep your passport, photographs, the required documents and filled-in application forms ready. Visit the CVAC with these documents.
A service charge inclusive of tax will be applicable. This needs to be paid in INR cash.
You will be given a receipt with a unique tracking number. You will be able to track the status of your application online.


Tracking the Visa Application

At any stage of the application process, the applicants can use the following methods to track the status of their application:

Contact us 

UK Standard Visitor Visa Process

0

UK Standard Visitor Visa Process







Applying for a Visitor Visa to the UK


A standard visitor visa is the most appropriate visa type for most general visits to the UK.

The Standard UK Visitor visa has replaced the:
  1. Family Visitor visa
  2. General Visitor visa
  3. Child Visitor visa
  4. Business Visitor visa, including visas for academics, doctors and dentists
  5. Sports Visitor visa
  6. Entertainer Visitor visa
  7. Prospective Entrepreneur visa
  8. Private Medical Treatment Visitor visa
  9. Approved Destination Status (ADS) visa
So, you need not to determine the most appropriate visa type for your trip. A standard visitor visa covers it all including a leisure trip, family visitor visa and business visitor visa to the UK.

This standard visitor visa types are multiple entry and permit applicants to stay for up to 6 months on every visit. Visit the UK visa website to further check your eligibility.


Application timeline and requirements
The earliest applicants can start the process is three months before date of travel. Standard processing period is 15 working days from time of application. The UK visa application process does not accept walk-ins. Thus, application and appointment should be rendered online through VFS Jalandhar or Chandigarh [https://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/india/vfsglobalintroduction.html] and applicants need to wait for their invitation for a scheduled appearance at the visa application center.


Do not forget to provide an original and photocopy of the following documents:
1. Appointment letter and printed application form
2. (x2) Passport size photos
3. Previous and current passports (6 months validity within travel period)
4. Letter from Employer and 6 months Wage/Pay Slips
5. If Self-employed, letter from CA and Income Tax Returns and relevant income Tax forms
6. Business receipts/crop receipts or invoices
7. Business Account bank statement for 1 year
8. Current account bank statements for 6 months
9. Savings bank accounts to cover the entire cost of the trip
10. Letter of invitation from sponsor i.e. Sponsorship from the UK
11. Travel Insurance
12. Two valid IDs
13. Proof of payment of visa application fee


Application Process
Applicants are required to submit their documents at the UK VFS and go for a biometric scan (i.e. fingerprints and photograph). While visa applications such for the US and Schengen Europe are dreaded for the nerve-wracking interview with visa officers [UK entry clearance officers], applicants need not worry as UK’s process does not include such. Below are the steps to follow:

Step 1. Log on to the UK government website. Accomplish the application forms and pay visa fee online via credit card or bank deposit.

Step 2. Attend an appointment at the nearest visa application centre. Applicants must book an appointment prior to submission.

Step 3. Applicants must arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled time, with appointment letter and application pack, valid passport, and two valid IDs and all other documents listed above. Keep the receipt as this will be presented before you get your documents. Note that no more additional documents can be submitted once submission is done. Make sure that all requirements and supporting documents are complete.

Step 4. You will be asked for biometric information collection. Ensure that your fingertips are free from any form of decorations, cuts, abrasions or other markings.

Step 5. To collect your documents, you may choose to collect in person at the centre, or have them delivered via mail.


Notes on filling out the application form
Thoroughly check the information you wrote on the form, and make sure all details are clear and true. Remember that you can no longer go back to the form pages and edit details once you’ve already confirmed and digitally signed the form.
As there is no interview, you have to be detailed in presenting your itinerary and ensure that your financial statements are crystal clear–especially if you have a sponsor.


Notes on money matters
One of the top concerns when applying for a UK visa is how much money you actually need to have for your application to be a success. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need six to seven figures of ‘show money’ to get approved.

There is actually no specific amount to guarantee application approval. As per an interview with an official of the British Embassy, the main consideration is how the applicant plans to work around his savings and annual income. “It’s hard to understand how one person will spend half of his annual salary on a very short trip,” one of the officers explained.

Therefore, you need to make sure that the itinerary you declared suits your financial capacity. The activities you indicated on your itinerary form should be reasonable and fitting to the amount of money in your bank account. It’s better to declare you are staying in a hostel and going to free museums than lying about booking a five-star hotel on such a limited budget.

It’s also noteworthy to mention that third party funds are acceptable. The applicant just needs to provide complete and detailed information of the sponsor’s financial statement.


Cost/Fees
A Standard Visitor visa costs £89 (around INR 8150 approximately if £1 = INR 91.58). The fee for long-term visit visa depends on its length:

2 years – £337 (around INR 30863)
5 years – £612 (around INR 56,048)
10 years – £767 (around INR 70,243)

If you need a UK visa straightaway, you can avail of the 24-Hour Super Priority Visa Service with a processing time of one day. However, you must note that this 24-Hour Super Priority

Visa Service still does not guarantee approval of your application.
For further information on UK Visitor Visa, kindly email us at Limmatravelsandtour@gmail.com.

Lawyers and Immigration
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)