Starting July 1, a new act in British Columbia aims to streamline the recognition of international credentials, making the process easier for foreign-trained professionals to work in the province. This new legislation, known as the B.C. Act to Streamline Foreign Credential Recognition, promises significant changes that will benefit many professionals across 29 different occupations.
Key Changes in the Act:
- Removal of Canadian Work Experience Requirements
- Waiving Language Testing for Certain Applicants
- Elimination of Additional Fees for International Applicants
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The new act will impact a wide range of professions, including engineers, accountants, real estate brokers, healthcare professionals, and more. To draft this legislation, the province consulted 18 regulatory bodies, and the act was passed by the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia last November.
Explore Permanent Residency: If you're interested, explore ways to apply for a permanent resident of Canada, such as the Provincial Nominee Program or the Canadian Experience Class offered through Express Entry.
Impacted Professions
Here is the full list of professions impacted by the Act:
| Occupation | Occupation |
|---|---|
| Registered music teacher | Professional Engineer |
| Professional teaching certificate holder | Land surveyor |
| Early childhood educator | Landscape architect |
| Early childhood educator assistant | Applied science technologist |
| Conditional teaching certificate holder | Certified technician |
| Social worker | Veterinarian |
| Registered clinical social worker | Lawyer |
| Professional biologist | Architect |
| Applied biology technician | Notary public |
| Registered biology technologist | Emergency medical assistants, including paramedics |
| Professional geoscientist | Chartered professional accountant |
| Registered professional forester | Associate real estate broker |
| Registered forest technologist | Managing real estate broker |
| Professional agrologist | Real estate representative |
| Technical agrologist |
Work Experience Requirements
The act aims to streamline international credential recognition by eliminating unnecessary Canadian work experience requirements. The Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills is collaborating with regulatory authorities to identify and remove these requirements where applicable. However, there is a one-year transition period, meaning these changes will fully come into effect by July 1, 2025.
Transition Period:
- January 1, 2025:
- July 1, 2025:
Regulations defining prohibited Canadian work experience and outlining exemptions come into effect.
Prohibition on requiring Canadian work experience becomes fully effective.
The superintendent of international credential recognition may grant exemptions to regulators with valid reasons for requiring Canadian work experience.
Language Requirements
Applicants in the selected occupations will no longer need to provide new English-language test results if they have already submitted valid results. This applies to internationally trained applicants who have included valid language test results in their certification application. However, language tests may still be required if:
- No determination has been made in the international credential assessment process.
- Five years have passed since the applicant submitted their application to a regulatory authority.
Other Significant Changes
The act ensures that international applicants will not be required to pay more to their regulatory body than domestic applicants. Additionally, a superintendent of international credential recognition will be appointed to address procedural issues and ensure the system runs smoothly.
International Credential Recognition in Canada
International credential recognition is vital for newcomers who want to work in licensed professions in Canada. Provincial regulatory authorities typically issue licenses, and requirements can vary by province.
The process has been criticized for its complexity, time commitment, and cost. A 2022 report by Employment and Social Development Canada highlighted several issues, including a lack of information for newcomers, especially before they arrived in Canada.
Federal Initiatives to Help Newcomers
The Canadian federal government has introduced initiatives to ease the credential recognition process for newcomers. For instance, the Fall Economic Statement 2023 included a $50 million investment in the Foreign Credential Recognition Program, targeting both skilled trades and healthcare sectors. This is on top of the $115 million investment from Budget 2022.
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How Visa Solutions 4u Can Help
Visa Solutions 4u is dedicated to assisting newcomers in navigating the complex process of credential recognition in Canada. Our services include:
- Personalized Guidance:
- Application Assistance:
- Follow-Up Support:
We provide tailored advice based on your profession and qualifications.
We help you prepare and submit all necessary documentation.
We offer continuous support throughout the credential recognition process to ensure you achieve your career goals in Canada.
For more information on how Visa Solutions 4u can help you achieve your immigration and career objectives in Canada, visit our website or contact us directly.
