ARCHIVED – Operational Bulletin 400 - April 4, 2012

Cessation of Processing for Certain Federal Skilled Worker Backlog Applications: Budget 2012

This Operational Bulletin has expired.

Issue

A number of immigration-related announcements were made in the 2012 budget on March 29, 2012. This Operational Bulletin (OB) serves to clarify the immediate implications for processing of Federal Skilled Worker applications received prior to February 27, 2008.

Background

Budget 2012 (Economic Action Plan 2012) proposes to return applications and refund up to $130 million in fees, on a cash basis, paid by certain Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) applicants who applied prior to February 27, 2008. To implement this, the government’s Budget Implementation Act has to be passed by Parliament and come into force.

Instructions

Pre-February 27, 2008 FSW applications for which a Selection Decision had been made before March 29, 2012 should proceed according to routine office procedures.

For the time being, effective March 29, 2012, processing should not commence or continue for any FSW application received before February 27, 2008 FSW for which a Selection Decision had not been made before March 29, 2012.

Further messaging on next steps with respect to FSW backlog cases affected by the Budget announcement will be published as soon as they become available, including the process for how refunds will be implemented.

For further information on changes outlined in this OB, please contact Operational Management and Coordination Branch at OMC-GOC-Immigration@cic.gc.ca.