PLEASE NOTE: This program has terminated for all provinces other than Quebec. Cases submitted after this date will be subject to the requirement of a Labour Market Opinion unless another exemption otherwise exists. The program was terminated in province of Quebec effective February 23 2012, but cases with issued Quebec approvals (CAQs) will be processed if received by March 24 2012).

 

The Facilitated Processing of Information Technology Workers program was established through a collaboration of the Software Human Resources Council of Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada as an effort to alleviate a shortage of software professionals in Canada. The requirement for a Labour Market Opinion application was removed for those professionals meeting the requirements of seven occupational definitions.

 

The eligible occupations are:

1. Senior Animation Effects Editor
2. Multimedia Software Developer
3. Embedded Systems Software Designer
4. MIS Software Designer
5. Software Products Developer
6. Telecommunications Software Designer
7. Software Developer - Services

The goal of the program continues to be to expedite the process of admitting foreign workers in the field of information technology. Eligible candidates are granted a "national confirmation" by HRSDC, and may proceed directly to applying for a Canadian work permit. As this program does not constitute a confirmation exemption, however, applicants with a destination in the province of Quebec are required to obtain a Certificate d'Acceptation du Quebec prior to a work permit.

 

Applications may be submitted to a Canadian visa office abroad or at a port of entry for those who are exempt from the requirement of a passport visa