Dear Mr Brown:

I am considering the option of applying for Canadian permanent residence. I would like to confirm if there is a deadline or quota. I also want to confirm whether there is a list of eligible occupations for the Express Entry programme.

— JRE

Dear JRE:

The Express Entry programme will not include a list of eligible occupations as a condition of the programme.

Greater number of

potential candidates

The Express Entry pool will include candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker, the Federal Skilled Trades and the Canadian Experience Class programmes as well as streams under Provincial Nominee programmes. All eligible candidates will enter the same pool, rather than separate pools for each programme. Any skilled worker may express interest. Accordingly, eligibility is open to a greater number of potential candidates. As such, I encourage all skilled workers to have a consultation for an assessment.

Skilled worker

In less technical terms, skilled work may be described as consisting of managerial or supervisory positions, as well as work

that requires some

university, college, or technical/vocational training.

Low-skilled workers vs skilled workers

The Temporary Foreign Worker programme is still in effect for lower-wage / lower- skilled positions in Canada. However, it is important to note that some lower-paying occupations may still be considered skilled, such as a food service supervisor.

Match with jobs

A key goal of the programme is to match Canadian employers with people who can fill open jobs for which no Canadians are qualified. The government and employers will have access to the pool of applications. Employers will search the pool of prospective candidates for recruitment. Once a match has been identified the skilled immigrant will be invited to apply for permanent residence. There is no quota or deadline. The processing of the permanent resident application is expected to be completed within six months.

Please visit jamaica2canada.com for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programmes, including Express Entry, the Study and Work progamme, visitor’s visas or appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel, education agent and managing director of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM — a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to jamaica2canada@gmail.

com.