Chronicle of Changes in the Canadian Immigration Rules and Regulations

Immigration rules change. The longer you delay your decision to apply, the more you are risking your eligibility.

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, 2002 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 (i.e. IELTS Examintation) 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 implimentation 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.

Apparently, they're doing something to make the application process smoother, and maybe faster...

As of September 1, 2006, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will introduce a new simplified application process for most federal skilled workers.

Under this process, you submit only a basic application form and fee. This guarantees your place in the processing queue, meaning that the regulations in effect on that date will apply to your application. When the visa office is ready to assess your application, you will be asked to send the required supporting documentation.[Citizenship and Immigration Canada]

March 14, 2008. The Government of Canada introduced legislative amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to modernize the immigration system, to ensure that families are reunited faster and skilled workers arrive sooner. Those who filed after February 27, 2008 will be affected by the new regulations.

Amendments to Modernize the Immigration System

Like what we've telling you, it is to your advantage if you file your application soon. That's becauase the longer you delay your decision, the more you are rsiking your eligiblity. Imigration regulations change and we both don't know when it is gonna be. And true enough, on March 14, 2008, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada proposed changes on the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada.

The proposed changes would address the huge backlogs of applications that the Visa Offices currently have. This would mean a faster visa visa processing. But this could also mean bad news to some who still don't have their applications filed.

On March 14, 2008, the Government of Canada introduced legislative amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to modernize the immigration system, to ensure that families are reunited faster and skilled workers arrive sooner.

One of the challenges facing our immigration system today is the large number of people waiting in the queue. This is especially a problem in the skilled worker category which makes up most of the backlog.

Under the proposed measures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada would have greater flexibility in processing new applications, especially from skilled workers.

The legislation is intended to provide greater flexibility in addressing a range of labour market needs. It will not apply to refugees and does not affect our objectives related to family reunification.

Ultimately, this will result in reduced wait times and improved service. It will also help manage the growth of the backlog of applications.

Once passed, the new measures will apply to applications received on or after February 27, 2008.

Those who applied prior to February 27, 2008, will not be subject to the new measures and will be dealt with fairly under the existing rules

June 18, 2008. After a long debate at the Parliament, the proposed amendements was passed into law. The new immigration law gives the Minister the authority to issue instructions on which categories of applications are prioritized, returned with a refund or held for future consideration.


July 7, 2008-August 15, 2008. Citizenship and Immigration Canada started consultations with all provinces and territories, as well as key stakeholders, through a series of face-to-face meetings and video conferences.

As of this writing, the list of immigration priorities is yet to be released by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Considering that there is an immigration quota and a first-in-first-out policy might be implemented per occupation, the best time to file your application is now.

Here's an update on the consultations on the immigration priorities. The purpose of these consultations is to identify critical occupational shortages in trades and professions across Canada.

Following the passage of changes to Canada’s immigration legislation under Budget Bill C-50 on June 18, 2008, Citizenship and Immigration Canada started consultations with all provinces and territories, as well as key stakeholders, through a series of face-to-face meetings and video conferences since July 7, 2008.

The new immigration law gives the Minister the authority to issue instructions on which categories of applications are prioritized, returned with a refund or held for future consideration.

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, this new law is intended to stop the growth of the backlog of applicants so that, ultimately, people who want to come to Canada receive a decision within 6 to 12 months instead of the 6 years it can take now.

Below is the schedule of consultation on immigration priorities

July 7: St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
July 9: Halifax, Nova Scotia
July 10: Fredericton, New Brunswick
July 11: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
July 15: Vancouver, British Columbia
July 16: Edmonton, Alberta
July 17-18: Winnipeg, Manitoba (and Saskatchewan)
July 21-22: Toronto, Ontario
TBD: Northwest Territories
TBD: Nunavut
TBD: Yukon
August 15: National roundtable


Representatives from business, labour, and academic and non-government organizations will be invited to these sessions.

After these consultations, we will know which occupations will be prioritized in processing immigrant visa application.

Canada’s government continues consultations on immigration priorities with national stakeholders

Ottawa, August 15, 2008 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, met today with national stakeholders from business, industry, labour and non‑governmental organizations to discuss occupational priorities for immigration purposes.

This national round table was an opportunity to hear from key experts from a national perspective. It was an important element of cross-Canada consultation sessions with provinces, territories and stakeholders, including ethnic and immigrant-serving organizations, over the past month.

Today’s consultations focused on identifying critical occupational shortages in trades and professions across Canada, the role of immigration in responding to them, and any barriers to foreign credential accreditation. This information will help develop instructions for immigration officers on occupations that are identified for priority processing. The ministerial instructions, to be issued this fall, will focus on applications in the federal skilled worker category.

“There are shortages of workers in many professions and trades. These broad consultations with stakeholders have provided us with a picture of the most common and acute pressures across the country, and how immigration can play a role in addressing them,” said Minister Finley. “Our government is committed to helping newcomers and their families succeed when they come to Canada. Their success is our success.”

Following discussions with participants, the Minister emphasized the importance of provincial and territorial initiatives to better recognize foreign credentials in Canada. “We can’t prioritize occupations and professions in demand if there isn’t the necessary support and training available to help newcomers begin work in their chosen fields,” said Minister Finley.

The Minister reiterated that the instructions will not affect refugee protection, nor are they intended to affect the government’s objectives for family reunification. In fact, Canada already gives priority to applications from many family members, such as sponsored spouses and dependants. Eighty percent of these cases are finalized within eight months. “Reuniting families remains a priority for this government,” said Minister Finley. “We need to ensure that Canada continues to balance the needs of our Canadian industries in terms of labour shortages and family reunification for our newcomers.”

As face to face meetings with all stakeholders were not feasible, the public was invited to submit its input online. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) received over 550 submissions. This feedback, along with the input provided during the regional and national round table consultations, will inform the development of the ministerial instructions. Consultations were also held with Human Resources and Social Development Canada and the Bank of Canada.

The instructions follow on 2008 budget commitments to modernize the immigration system to respond to Canada’s labour market needs, reduce wait times for new applicants, and reduce the backlog of immigration applications. The budget allocates $109 million over five years to help meet these goals.

With this funding, CIC has begun recording occupational information for applications in the current skilled worker backlog. The Department will be referring applications of interest to the provinces and territories for possible processing under the Provincial Nominee Program. CIC is also working toward increasing capacity and efficiency in missions with the largest backlogs, centralizing the receipt of applications, and reconfirming the intentions of applicants facing the longest wait times.

The instructions based on these consultations will be published in the Canada Gazette and available on the CIC website at www.cic.gc.ca. They will also be tabled in Parliament as part of the annual report on immigration. [Source]