June 11, 2012

New Federal Skilled Worker Regulations Anticipated This Summer!

Pre-publication of new Federal Skilled Worker regulations are anticipated to arrive this summer with implementation at the end of 2012.

Anticipated changes include:

• implementation of mandatory minimum language standards. Those not meeting the standard will not be eligible, regardless of overall points on the grid;
• third party equivalency assessments of educational credentials will be required up front, and will replace years of education;
• changes to the grid including:
  • changes to the points for age (with more points concentrated for younger applicants);
  • allowing more points for language and age;
  • allowing more points for Canadian experience;
  • simplifying points for AEO (and making the AEO process identical to the LMO process); and
  • changing spousal points for adaptability to focus on language rather than education.

The list of occupations will continue to be revised and an announcement is expected in July 2012.