Canada announces new "Ministers Instructions" limiting skilled worker and investment based immigration

On June 24, 2011, Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney announced drastic new limitations on immigration to Canada. Effective July 1, the Federal Skilled Worker class will be limited to 29 listed occupations. Only 700 applications will be accepted in each category, and only 10,000 applications will be accepted in total. This compares with 1000 per category, and a total of 20,000 for the preceding year. The list can be found here. In addition, the federal entrepreneur class will be closed completely for the indefinite future. The federal investment class will be limited to 700 applications per year.

The limitations do NOT apply to federal skilled workers who have an offer of arranged employment in Canada. Also, the limits do not apply to the Canadian Experience Class. Basically, the limits apply to persons who are not now in Canada and do not have a job offer in Canada.

Skilled worker candidates successful applicants must still score 67 points in the assessment system, based on language ability, education, work experience and other factors. It is not enough to  meet the requirements to have the application processed in the first place, as set forth in the instructions.