Application Guide for the Federal Skilled Workers
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Application Guide for the Federal Skilled Workers Pilot Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program TABLE OF CONTENTS Before You Apply……………………………………………………………………………………………… 2 How to Apply……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 Step 1: Receive Letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada………6 Step 2: Gather Required Documents........…………………………………………...6 Step 3: Completing the Form: Step-by-Step.......………………………………10 Step 4: Submitting your Application to Opportunities Ontario....………19 After You Apply………………………………………………………………………………………………..21 The information in this guide provides details on the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program. The Government of Ontario reserves the right to change any aspect of the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program, including any time limits, nomination categories, eligibility criteria, distribution of nominations by category and supporting documentation requirements, at any time and without notice. For the most recent updates to the program, please check the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program website at http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/FSWPILOT.html. This guide is made available free by Opportunities Ontario to everyone and is not to be sold. 1 Before You Apply Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Ontario government are offering applicants an alternative route to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Applicants who submitted their application for permanent residence in occupations selected by Ontario under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) - prior to 2008 - may be eligible to apply to the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Pilot under the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has issued letters to all potential applicants inviting them to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot. Please note that only individuals who received this letter may apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot. Applicants will have until May 4th, 2012 to submit an application to Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program. Due to the limited number of spaces available for this Pilot all of the applications may not be processed. It is recommended that the application is submitted as early as possible. The program is entirely voluntary and there is NO FEE to apply. If you decide to participate in this Pilot and are nominated by Ontario, it could result in an earlier Permanent Residence visa issuance for you. Should you be successful in receiving a nomination from Ontario, your file will be processed as a Provincial Nominee and your FSWP application will be withdrawn from the FSWP queue. If you do not wish to apply, or if you apply but are not nominated by Ontario, your application will remain in the same position in the FSWP queue until it comes up for processing. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The eligibility criteria for the FSW Pilot under Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program is not the same as the Federal Skilled Worker Program under Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). The FSWP under CIC is a points-based system where a minimum of 67 points is required to be eligible for nomination for permanent residence status. Opportunities Ontario’s FSW Pilot is not a points-based system and has its own eligibility requirement. To be eligible to apply under Ontario’s FSW Pilot, your occupation must fall into one of the five following National Occupation Classifications (NOC): Information Systems Analysts and Consultants (NOC 2171) 2 Software Engineers and Developers (NOC 2173) Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (NOC 2174) Financial and Investment Analysts (NOC 1112) Mathematicians, Statisticians and Actuaries (NOC 2161) (The NOC is Canada’s national system to classify and describe all occupations across the country. It describes duties, skills, aptitudes, and work settings for occupations in the Canadian labour market). Additional Requirements In addition to being in an occupation that falls into one of the five NOC categories, you must also meet additional requirements described below to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot. Education You must have earned a minimum 3-year degree from a reputable post-secondary institution. The institution must be recognized by the authorities responsible for registering, accrediting, supervising and regulating the institution in the country where the degree was issued. The degree must be genuine, earned through class participation and academic excellence. Language Proficiency The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages is very important. Proficiency in English, French or both will help you succeed in the Ontario labour market. You will need to demonstrate strong proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages through a language test. You must submit original results from a designated testing agency for one of the following language tests: English IELTS: International English Language Testing System (General Training test only). o You must attain a minimum band score of 6.5 3 Or French TEF: Test d’évaluation de français. o You must attain a minimum band score of 4.5. Note: The band score will be calculated by adding your scores for expression orale, compréhension orale, compréhension écrite, and expression écrite, and dividing the total score by 4. Your results must be from a test that was written within the past 12 months from the date Opportunities Ontario receives your application. If the results are older than 12 months, you will have to retake the language test and submit the new results to Opportunities Ontario. Example: If Opportunities Ontario receives your application on April 1, 2012, your test results must be from April 1, 2011 onwards. If your test results are prior to April 1, 2011 (e.g. March 15, 2011), it is not valid. Settlement Funds You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family members after you arrive to Ontario. This includes all family members who are financially dependant on you, regardless if they are accompanying you to Ontario or not. This is a requirement that also exists with CIC’s Federal Skilled Worker Program and is intended to ensure that you can transition to gainful employment in the province. The amount calculated in the table below is determined by the size of your family and is an estimate of what you would require to support yourself and your family without employment or other income. You cannot borrow this money. Family Size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 or more Funds Required $11,115 $13,837 $17,011 $20,654 $23,425 $26,419 $29,414 4 Note: The number of family members includes both accompanying and non-accompanying dependents (e.g. If the applicant is married, then the family size is 2 (applicant + spouse), which means that the sufficient funds for the family is $13, 837. If the applicant is married and has one dependent child, then the family size is 3 (applicant+ spouse + dependent child), which means that the sufficient funds required for the entire family is $17,011). Applicant A Example: Applicant A is married with one dependent child. As a family of three, the applicant needs to demonstrate at least $17,011 of savings for the 12 months following his/her application to Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program. Applicant A has $20,000 in his/her bank account. This means that applicant A meets the minimum amount of savings for the program. Applicant A needs to submit supporting documents, demonstrating the $20,000 balance in his/her bank account. This document can be obtained at no cost from your financial institution. Applicant B Example: Applicant B is moving to Canada with her spouse. Applicant B’s mother is staying in her home country. Both the spouse and the mother are financially dependent on Applicant B. Applicant B must show savings of $17,011 to support 3 people. 5 HOW TO APPLY Step 1. Receive letter from Citizenship and Immigration Canada Step 2. Gather required documents Step 3. Complete the application form Step 4. Submit the complete application to Opportunities Ontario STEP 1: RECEIVE LETTER FROM CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION CANADA (CIC) You will have received a letter from CIC inviting you to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot. CIC has selected applicants from the Federal Skilled Worker Program queue who applied prior to 2008 and whose occupation on their FSW application matches one of the five National Occupation Classifications identified by Ontario. The letter from CIC is NOT a nomination for permanent residence status under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The letter is an invitation to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot as an alternate route to obtain permanent residence status. In order to be nominated for permanent residence status under Ontario’s FSW Pilot, you must complete the remaining steps and submit your application to Opportunities Ontario; if your application is approved, then you and your family will be nominated for permanent residence status. STEP 2: GATHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS Below is a list of all the documents you will need to submit to demonstrate that you meet Opportunities Ontario’s eligibility criteria and to confirm your identity, family situation, education and work experience. Required Documents: - Ontario’s Federal Skilled Workers Pilot Nominee Application Form - Translator affidavit (if applicable) - Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative form (if applicable) - Copy of the CIC letter alerting you to the FSW Pilot - A signed copy of the consent page you received from CIC to be considered for processing under the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program 6 - Copy of your entire passport (including Work Permits, Study Permits, Visitor Records, Temporary Resident Visas, and/or any other Canadian immigration documents or entry stamps) - Copy of your birth certificate - Certified copy of your university degree(s), college diploma(s), transcripts and/or occupational certificates. Copy of the official final transcript issued by the institution to the applicant showing all degree requirements are complete. If applicable, include proof of previous study in Canada (attach copies of study permits issued to you and/or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner and any certificates/diplomas that were awarded). - Copies of letter(s) of reference from previous employer(s) and/or client(s) from all your employers for the past 10 years or since you were 18 years old, whichever period is shorter. For example, if you are 24 you would submit letters from employers/clients you have worked for since you were 18. If you are 45, you would submit letters from employers/clients that you have worked for in the past 10 years. o The letters must be written on company letterhead, signed and dated by the responsible officer/supervisor – please also write the officer/supervisor’s name and job title. The letter must also show the company’s full address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and website addresses. o The letters should indicate the number of hours per week, or per year, you worked for each employer/client. Please include the positions you held with each employer/client and the specific period of your employment in each position (please provide the month and year you started and ended at each position), your main responsibilities and duties in each position, total annual salary plus benefits, and any extended periods of leave (i.e. more than one month). o Do not cut and paste the job duties from the NOC website into the reference letters. The job duties listed must be the employer/client’s own description of the actual job duties you performed. o Please see page 5 of the Federal Skilled Workers Pilot form for additional supporting documents that you may want to include in your application. - Original IELTS or TEF test report issued by a designated testing agency recognized by IELTS or TEF. The test results are considered valid if they are 12 months from the date Opportunities Ontario receives your application. 7 - Copy of your up-to-date resume - Proof of Savings: In order to show you have sufficient funds to settle in Ontario, you must provide an up-to-date original bank account statement in your name that is in English or French and stamped and dated by a banking institution. You must also submit copies of your bank transaction records for the last six months that immediately precedes the date you submit the application to Opportunities Ontario. The banking information must be in English or French, on a bank letterhead and signed, and should contain the following information: account number, transit and institution number, account holder’s name, amount and currency. - A letter explaining any ties that you have to Ontario and why you have chosen Ontario as a place to settle. o The letter should be typed and approximately 1 to 2 pages. o Please insert your name, date, and number of your CIC file. o Mention all your ties to Ontario and reasons why you want to settle in Ontario. Ties to Ontario can include: previous work and/or study in Ontario (you may include reference letters from previous employers and/or academic transcripts); spouse/common-law partner’s previous work or study in Ontario; a potential job offer in Ontario; any relatives that you have who reside in Ontario (brothers, sisters, parents etc.); visits that you have made to Ontario (visits can be for business, vacation, personal, etc.); and, any property that you have in Ontario (house, condo, etc.) - If applicable, proof of job offer in Ontario (please note this is NOT a requirement to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot). o The letters must be written on company letterhead, signed and dated by the responsible officer/supervisor. o The letter must show the company’s full address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and website addresses, and, if applicable, stamped by the company’s official seal. o The letters must also include an expected start date, duration of employment, title of the position (provide the NOC code, if known), total salary plus benefits, and number hours you will be working per week. 8 Make a copy of your application package: Please note that you are to submit only copies of supporting documents including civil documents (birth certificate and passport). Do NOT submit originals. Ontario will not return your application or supporting documents. What NOT to do with your application: Do NOT bind your application or put the pages in a ring binder Do NOT enclose individual pages in plastic, envelopes or folders Do NOT tie, bolt or glue the pages together Do NOT use multiples staples on a page Do NOT send multiple copies of identical documents Certified Copies: For some of the documents you are asked to provide certified copies. Also, documents that require translation will need to be certified. Only an authorized person can certify a photocopy of a document. The authorized person must make a photocopy of the original document and on the photocopy print the following: “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”, The name of the original document, The date of the certification, his or her name, His or her official position or title, and his or her signature People authorized to certify copies include the following: In Canada: A commissioner of oaths A notary public A justice of the peace Outside Canada: A judge A magistrate A notary public An officer of a court of justice A commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the person is living Document translation If supporting documents are not in English or French you must supply a certified copy of the documents, a full translation of the documents, and an affidavit from the person who completed the translation. Otherwise, applications will not be processed. Translations by family members are not acceptable. Translation of Documents: An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the country in which the 9 translator is living, that the content of their translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified members in good standing of one of the provincial or territorial organizations of translators and interpreters of Canada do not need to supply an affidavit. STEP 3: COMPLETING THE FORM: STEP-BY-STEP Visit the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program website to download and complete the Nominee Application form for Ontario’s Federal Skilled Worker Program Pilot. http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/FSW-PILOT.html You cannot electronically save the information entered in the Federal Skilled Workers Pilot Nominee Application form. After completing the form, you should click the “Print” button in order to have a printed copy of your application to submit to Opportunities Ontario. You may wish to print an extra copy of the form for your own records before you exit the forms page. Hand written application will be considered if the information is legible. If you have no internet access or experience technical problems, please contact Opportunities Ontario for assistance or to request that a Nominee Application Package be sent to you by mail. Opportunities Ontario can be contacted at 416-327-0374 or 1-866-214-6820 (toll free in North America) or by e-mail at [email protected] Important: All application forms are made available free of charge by Opportunities Ontario and are not to be sold. Individuals found using this form fraudulently may be disqualified from future participation in any immigration program with the Government of Ontario. Part A: Personal Information 1. Enter your last name (family name), first name and middle name(s). 2. Enter your date of birth (Year/Month/Day). Enter your place of birth (city or town). 10 Enter your country of birth. Check the appropriate box to indicate if you are female or male. Enter your citizenship. Enter your country of residence. Check the appropriate box to indicate your marital status. 3. For applicants currently in Canada, check the appropriate box to indicate your status, and Enter the Citizenship and Immigration Canada document number; Enter the expiration date of your current Citizenship and Immigration Canada document (Work Permit, Study Permit, etc.); For all applicants: Enter the file number that CIC gave to you when you submitted your application to CIC under the Federal Skilled Workers Program, which visa post it was submitted to, and enter the date it was submitted. Indicate if you or your spouse or common-law partner, or dependent children, already submitted an Application for Permanent Residence to another province or territory. If yes, explain why. 4. Enter your passport number and your full name as it appears on your passport. 5. Enter your current residential address. Enter your telephone number where you may receive personal calls. Include all country and area codes. Enter your email address (if applicable). Enter your mailing address, if different than your current address. 6. List any visits you have made to Canada in the last ten years. Use a separate sheet of paper if additional space is required. Enter the reason for visit, province(s) visited, length of stay and year of visit in the appropriate boxes. 7. Enter your native language and any other languages you speak fluently. 11 Part B: Assistance with Application Check the appropriate box to indicate if you had help preparing your Opportunities Ontario Application. If you would like to authorize this individual to communicate on your behalf regarding this application, please attach the Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative form. If you did authorize someone to communicate on your behalf regarding the application, please write down their name, telephone, and relationship to you. Also indicate if you paid this person. Part C: Learning about the Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program Please check the appropriate box(es) to indicate how you learned about Opportunities Ontario. Since it is CIC that issued you a letter to participate in the FSW Backlog Reduction Pilot, you can check the “CIC/Visa Office” box. If you learned about this initiative before receiving the CIC letter, you can select another option. Part D: Occupation and Education 1. Enter your current occupation (job title). 2. Enter the occupation you intend to work in Ontario. 3. List all employment for the last ten years, or since age 18 (whichever is less) and attach supporting documentation for each entry. Use a separate sheet of paper if additional space is required. Enter the start date and end date of that job, the name of the employer for that job (company name), the city, country and job title for each entry. Enter the National Occupation Classification code for each occupation you have listed. To find out the NOC code for your occupation go to: http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/English/NOC/2006/SearchNocCode.aspx) Do not cut and paste the NOC description in your application. 4. Indicate if you were ever self-employed. If you were self-employed, provide detailed information on the start and end date. 5. Enter the highest level of education you have completed. 12 6. List all the post-secondary education you have completed. You are required to attach supporting documentation (certified copies of degrees and/or diplomas, transcripts, letters of reference, etc.). Part E: Language Proficiency 1a. If you to took the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, enter the overall band score. You can find your band score on the IELTS test. The score is valid if you took the test within the past 12 months from the date Opportunities Ontario receives your application. b. If you took the Test d’Évaluation Français, enter your score for expression orale, compréhension orale, compréhension écrite and expression écrite. (An average of all your scores will be taken to calculate the band score.) If you encounter difficulties scheduling an IELTS or TEF test before the May 4 deadline, please contact the program at [email protected]. Part F: Ties to Ontario 1. Indicate if you intend to stay in Ontario after you receive your permanent residence status. 2. Please provide a typed letter, approximately one to two pages, explaining any ties that you have to Ontario and why you have chosen Ontario as a place to settle. Also include in the letter your name, date, and CIC file number. Ties to Ontario can include: previous work and/or study in Ontario (you may include reference letters from previous employers and/or academic transcripts); spouse/common-law partner’s previous work or study in Ontario; a potential job offer in Ontario; any relatives that you have who reside in Ontario (brothers, sisters, parents etc.); visits that you have made to Ontario (visits can be for business, vacation, personal, etc.) 3. any property that you have in Ontario (house, condo, etc.) Indicate if you have a job offer with an Ontario employer (please not this is NOT a requirement to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot). Please provide details on your 13 arranged employment (for example, an offer of employment letter or email, and Application posting in Ontario). 4. Indicate if you or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has a relative living in Canada who is a citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. Please provide the type of relationship (e.g. brother, parent, etc.) Indicate if it is you or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner whose relative is living in Canada. Part G: Settlement Funds 1. Indicate the total amount (in Canadian dollars) of transferable and available funds that you have for settlement in Canada. Do not include assets such as ownership of property or goods as it will NOT be considered. 2. Indicate the total number of people in your family (including yourself) that are dependent on you financially (this includes family that will not be accompanying you to Canada). Part H: Family Information You must provide the following details about each of your immediate family members who will be accompanying you to Canada. If you have more than 3 family members, please photocopy this page of your application form and fill it out for all accompanying family members. Attach the photocopied page to your application form. Please do not include family members who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada. If you are unsure about who qualifies as an immediate family member, please refer to the section entitled Family Members of Skilled Workers offered by the Government of Canada’s Department of Citizenship and Immigration web site, at the following link http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/op/op06-eng.pdf. • Enter the last name (family name), first name and middle name(s) for family member as it appears on the family member’s passport or official identification document. • Enter the date of birth (Year/Month/Day) for family member as it appears on the family member’s passport or official identification document. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether family member is female or male. Enter the country of citizenship and country of residence of family member. Enter the relationship of family member to you (i.e. son, wife). 14 Enter the current occupation of family member (if applicable). Enter the family member’s native language and any other languages he/she speaks. Enter the total number of years of formal education of family member. Check appropriate box to indicate the marital status of family member. Check box to indicate highest level of education attained (designations obtained) by family member. Supporting documentation is not necessary. Part I: Fees You do NOT have to pay a fee to apply to Ontario’s FSW Pilot. Part J: Application Checklist Complete the checklist by checking off the appropriate boxes to ensure you have included all required documents in your application package. Only completed application packages will be processed. None of the documents submitted as part of the application package will be returned to you. You must keep a copy of the completed form and all the documents before sending them to Opportunities Ontario. Part K: Applicant Statements and Authorization Please read and ensure you understand all applicant statements and authorizations, including the section on authorization to collect, use, retain and disclose personal information. Enter your initials beside each statement and authorization including the section on authorization to collect, use, retain and disclose personal information, to acknowledge agreement. Enter your full name and date and provide signature at bottom of page. Please note that any application without a signature will be considered incomplete. Only completed applications will be processed. Please have accompanying spouse or common-law partner and accompanying dependents (aged 16 years or over) read and understand the Statement and Authorization and enter their full name(s) and provide signature(s) and date at bottom of page. Declaration as to the Truth of Nominee Application You must confirm the truth of all contents and supporting documents in the nominee application package. The affidavit must be signed by you in front of the individual taking the affidavit. 15 Your affidavit is evidence that what you declare on your application and other forms and supporting documents is true. If outside Ontario, an affidavit needs to be administered before: a. a judge b. a magistrate c. an officer of a court of justice d. a commissioner for taking affidavits or other competent authority of the like nature e. a notary public f. the head of a city, town, village, township or other municipality g. an officer of any of Her Majesty’s diplomatic or consular services, including an ambassador, envoy, minister, charge d’affairs, counsellor, secretary, attache, consulgeneral, consul, vice-consul, pro-consul, consular agent, acting consul-general, acting consul, acting vice-consul and acting consular agent h. an officer of the Canadian diplomatic, consular or representative services, including, in addition to the diplomatic and consular officers mentioned in clause (g), a high commissioner, permanent delegate, acting high commissioner, acting permanent delegate, counsellor and secretary i. a Canadian Government trade commissioner or assistant trade commissioner, exercising his or her functions or having jurisdiction or authority as such in the place in which it is administered, sworn, affirmed or made, is as valid and effectual to all intents and purposes as if it had been duly administered, sworn, affirmed or made in Ontario before a commissioner for taking affidavits in Ontario. In Ontario this is usually a lawyer, a provincial judge, a justice of the peace or a commissioner for taking affidavits. How to Complete the Translator Affidavit (if applicable – please note that this is a separate form) 1. Read and ensure you understand the declarations provided on the given form. 2. Enter the name of the city, town or village where declaration is being administered. 3. Enter the name of the province or state where this declaration is being administered. 4. Enter the name of the country where this declaration is being administered. 5. Enter the date of affidavit administration (dd/mm/year). 6. Provide signature of Commissioner taking affidavits. 7. Sign form above Signature of Deponent. 16 How to Complete the Authorizing or Cancelling a Representative Form (if applicable – please note this is a separate form) This form is used by a prospective nominee (applicant) to authorize a representative to act on his/her behalf in connection with the application package. A representative is someone who has your permission to communicate on your behalf with the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration regarding Opportunities Ontario. You may have only one representative at a time. A representative can only be appointed by the use of this form. If you appoint another representative, the previous representative will no longer be authorized to conduct business on your behalf or receive information about your application. Unpaid representatives might include anyone while paid representatives must be authorized according to the rules of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada. Authorized Representatives are: Immigration consultants who are members in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council; Lawyers who are licensees in good standing of a Canadian provincial or territorial law society and students-at-law under their supervision, and Quebec notaries. If you authorize a paid representative who is not an Authorized Representative, your application will not be processed and will be returned to you. Please note that you are not obliged to hire a representative. The program treats all applicants equally. Advisory Notice: Paid Representatives The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration is aware that, in the past, some individuals considering immigration to Ontario have paid large fees to persons who may have provided incorrect or fraudulent advice. 17 Individuals who are considering hiring a paid representative to assist them with immigration matters processed by Opportunities Ontario and/or the Canadian Government should be aware the federal government’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations state that only authorized representatives may charge fees to represent an individual in an immigration application. Opportunities Ontario applies this rule. Section 13.1 (1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations states, “…no person who is not an authorized representative may, for a fee, represent, advise or consult with a person who is the subject of a proceeding or application before the Minister, an officer or the Board.” Only an authorized representative belonging to a Canadian provincial or territorial law society, the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council, or the Chambre des notaires du Québec may charge a fee for conducting business on an individual’s behalf. For more information about representatives, how to choose a representative, what services they may offer and frequently asked questions, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/representative/index.asp. To complete the form, follow these steps: 1. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether you are appointing a representative OR cancelling the appointment of a representative; 2. If you are appointing a representative please complete Sections B, C and E; 3. If you are cancelling the appointment of a representative. Please complete Sections B, D and E. Section B: Prospective Nominee Information 4. Enter your last name (family name), first name and middle name(s). 5. Enter your date of birth (Year/Month/Day). Section C: Appointment of a Representative 1. Please read and ensure you understand the authorization statements at the beginning of this section. 2. Enter the last name (family name), first and middle name(s) of your representative. 18 3. Check the appropriate box to indicate whether your representative is a PAID or UNPAID member of the various listed organizations, a friend, a family member or other. 4. Enter the name of the firm or organization of your representative (if applicable). 5. Enter the full mailing address of your representative. 6. Enter the telephone number and fax number (if applicable) of your representative, including country code and area code. 7. Enter the email address of your representative (if applicable). 8. Ensure your representative reads, understands, signs and dates the declarations presented at bottom of Section C. Section D: Cancel the Appointment of a Prospective Nominee (Applicant) Representative 1. Enter the last name (family name) of the representative whose appointment you are cancelling. 2. Enter the first and middle name(s) of the representative whose appointment you are cancelling. 3. Enter the name of the firm or organization of the representative whose appointment you are cancelling (if applicable). Section E: Declaration 1. Please read and ensure you understand the statements at the beginning of this section. 2. Enter your full name. 3. Sign and date the form. STEP 4: SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION TO OPPORTUNITIES ONTARIO You must submit your application to Opportunities Ontario by May 4th, 2012. The application and other forms must be completed in full and all required documents must be provided (with translations and translator affidavit where required). Note that only complete applications will be processed. 19 Submit the completed application package by mail, courier or personal delivery to: Ontario Federal Skilled Worker Program Pilot Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program 400 University Avenue., Ground Floor Toronto, Ontario M7A 2R9 *Please clearly indicate that the package is for the Ontario Federal Skilled Worker Program Pilot. For specific questions about any part of this guide and the application process please email us at [email protected] or call us at 416-327-0374 or toll free at 1-866-214-6820 (within North America only). 20 AFTER YOU APPLY Receipt of Application If Opportunities Ontario receives your application by May 4th, 2012, we will send you a letter by the end of July, 2012 letting you know that we have your application. If you have not heard from Opportunities Ontario by the end of July 2012, please contact us. Processing the Application Opportunities Ontario will review your application to determine if you meet all of the eligibility requirements under Ontario’s FSW Pilot. If your application is approved, you will receive a Letter of Nomination and a copy of your Opportunities Ontario: Provincial Nominee Program Certificate. You must place a copy of your Letter of Nomination on top of your Permanent Residence Application before submitting it to Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) Sydney Central Intake Office. Opportunities Ontario will give you instructions on how to submit your Permanent Residence Application to CIC. Factors that May Result in Denials Illegible forms or applications. Incomplete forms or applications. Incomplete translations or translations not certified and notarized. If you apply but are not nominated by Ontario, your application will remain in the same position in the FSWP queue until it comes up for processing. Permanent Residence Application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada Processing times for permanent residence status may vary. To check the status of your Permanent Residence application visit CIC’s website. Please note that CIC gives priority processing to applications made under the Provincial Nominee class. To avoid delays in your application, please ensure that security, criminality and health checks are complete as these checks account for the bulk of the processing time. Changes in Personal Information Please note that it is your responsibility to contact Opportunities Ontario if there are any changes in applicant contact information (address, phone number) or family composition due to: 21 Marriage/common-law relationship Birth of a child. Change of custody. Divorce/ separation, or Death. You should inform Opportunities Ontario prior to submitting your application for permanent residency to CIC. Complete the Change of Personal Information form available on our website http://www.ontarioimmigration.ca/FSW-PILOT.html and mail it to Opportunities Ontario. Copies of the appropriate supporting documents, such as marriage or birth certificates, should be provided along with notifications of change. Additional documents may be submitted by mail, fax or email if they are related to changes in your mailing address or contact address, accompanying dependents and designated representative, education or employment, or if specifically requested by Opportunities Ontario. If you do choose to send information through email, please note that sending sensitive personal information through unsecured e-mail channels is risky and is strongly discouraged by Opportunities Ontario. Users assume the risk associated with any electronic transfer of information to Opportunities Ontario and Opportunities Ontario is not liable for any damages that may arise from interception, loss, theft or other action regarding your personal information while in transit. What happens after I am approved? A provincial Nomination Certificate will be issued for all successful nominees. Successful nominees must then apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for permanent residence. A successful provincial nomination replaces the selection component under other immigration classes (such as the Federal Skilled Worker Class, and the Family Class). Provincial nominees will receive priority processing from CIC. 22
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