January 2015 is the start of the new system for the Federal immigration, called Express Entry. This system replaces the old system of applications put in a lineup and taking years to be processed. The Express Entry system works the other way around: applicants will be invited to submit their full application if they meet the CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) criteria.
Express Entry system gives points to the applicant and his/her spouse, the point system is available here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry/grid-crs.asp There is no minimum to meet, but only the applicants with the highest number of points will be invited to apply for the immigration program.
There is no fee to submit an application to Express Entry.
More information on the process is going to be published soon.
