04 December 2007

Canadian immigration foreign credentials referral service now open

In-person credentials referral services for foreign-trained workers are now being offered by Canadian Immigration at 320 Service Canada centres across the country, the minister of citizenship and immigration announced today.

The Foreign Credentials Referral Office (FCRO) is working with the new centres to help people applying for Canadian visas get their qualifications assessed and recognised.

"When we first launched the FCRO in May we promised to make foreign credential referral services available in 320 Service Canada outlets before the end of the year and with today's announcement we have kept that promise," said the minister, Diane Finley.

"Internationally-trained individuals can now walk into Service Canada centres across the country and receive in-person help on how to get their credentials assessed and recognised. Newcomers want to contribute to our country by working in the fields for which they've been trained, and we want to help them do that," she added.

Canada needs skilled immigrants: The Canadian Visa Bureau can assist skilled workers interested in Canadian immigration. More information on Canadian visas is available on the website. Anyone applying for a Canadian visa should begin by completing the online Canadian visa application to see if they meet the legislative requirements.