A prospective immigrant’s application is assessed primarily on their qualifications, skills and experience in the occupation they intend to pursue in Canada and who have the potential of become economically established in Canada.

The main purpose for encouraging this category of immigration is to attract people with valuable education and employment skills who will contribute to Canada's economic growth and development.

The Federal skilled worker class is point based and confers permanent resident status to applicants who are able to demonstrate an ability to become economically established in Canada. Prospective applicants are assessed under 6 factors and numerous sub factors of assessment providing for a total of 100 points. The main factors are: Education, language, experience, age, arranged employment, & adaptability.

Canada defines a list of occupations open to prospective immigrants based on the needs of Canada’s labor market, which is listed in the National Occupations Classification Manual 2006. (www23.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca)

Successful applicants must receive a minimum of 67 points with at least one year of experience within the past 10 years in one of the occupations listed in either Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These selection criteria are as follows:

Calculate your points or Access your stand? Education   25 points max. Language skills   24 points max. Experience   21 points max. Age   10 points max. Arranged employment   10 points max. Adaptability   10 points max.

Total   100 points max. Pass mark   67  point       Education Points can be scored for   degrees or diplomas and the number of years you spent in full-time or full-time equivalent study. To earn points in a category, you must meet all the conditions Full-time studies —  At least 15 hours of instruction per week during the academic year, including any period of training in the workplace that is part of your studies. Full-time equivalent studies — The length of time that it would have taken to complete a program of study on a full-time basis, but was actually completed on a part-time or accelerated basis.

Education   25 points max. Masters, PhD, 17 years full time or fulltime equivalent study   25 points 2 or more Bachelor’s level university degree, 15 years of full time or fulltime equivalent study   22 points 3 year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship 15 years of full time, full time equivalent study   22 points 2 years or more at  Bachelor’s university degree, 14 years fulltime or fulltime equivalent  study   20 points 2-year diploma, trade certificate , apprenticeship , least 14 years  full-time or full-time equivalent study.   20 points 1-year university degree at the bachelor’s level , 13 years  full-time or full-time equivalent study   20 points 1-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship ,13 years of full-time , full-time equivalent study   15 points 1-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship , 12 years  full-time , full-time equivalent study   15 points High school study   5 points

Language Skills The English or French language can be indicated as the first or second language for the purpose of being assessed under the Language Skills Factotrs.

Language skills 24 points max.   English French   Proficiency High Moderate Low High Moderate Low Total 1st language 4 points 2 points 1-2 points 4 points 4 points 1-2 points 16 points max 2nd language 2 points 2 points 1-2 points 2 points 2 points 1-2 points 8 points max

Experience Most important criterion because zero points under the Experience Factor will mean an automatic refusal (exceptional under certain situations) Work experience must be acquired in an eligible occupation     .

Experience   21 points max. Four years or more   21 points Three years   19 points Two years or more   17 points One year   15 points

Age Easiest points ever most people applying qualify for 10 points. Did you ever think age is an advantage?.   Age   10 points max. 16 years or less   0 point 17 years   2 points 18 years   4 points 19 years   6 points 20 years   8 points 21 years to 49 years   10 points 50 years   8 points 51 years   6 points 52 years   4 points 53 years   2 points 54 years or older   0 point       Arranged employment   Arranged employment is one of the six factors responsible for the skilled worker qualification.    Arranged Employment   10 points max. Canadian employer’s permanent job offer, approved by the HRSDC   10 points Canadian employer’s permanent job offer w/o approval of  the HRSDC  at the time of PR Visa job offer from  employer on temporary work permit that allows for arranged employment   10 points       Adaptability Points are awarded on the Adaptability Factor on the basis of factors which are expected to improve an applicant's ability to become economically established in Canada as follows:-   Adaptability   5 points max. Spouse's or common-law partner's education   3-5points Min. 1 year of full-time authorized work in Canada   5points Minimum 2 years of full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada   5points Informal job offer in Canada   0point Points under Arranged Employment Factor   5points Family relationship in Canada   5points Additional 5 points are awarded for the adaptability factor.

Applicants who do not meet the applicable pass mark may be accepted under the positive discretion provisions of the regulations. A visa officer has a general discretion to issue an immigrant visa to an applicant who has less than 67 points if the applicant can show that he has a great chance and ability of becoming successfully established in Canada.

Skilled Worker Criteria: To be accepted as a Skilled Worker, applicants must meet these Criteria.

• Be in the age group of 21-49 years
  
  
• Hold a University degree or a trade / technical diploma.
  
  
• Have at least one year of working experience.
  
  
• Intended Occupation should be in accordance with the General Occupations List
  
  
• Proficiency in either English or French Language - High proficiency in English is mandatory. If you also speak French, your chances of qualifying will increase. You will be required to provide conclusive proof of your language skills in the form of a Language Test such as IELTS.
  
  
• Demographic factor as set by the Canadian government
  
  
• Close relatives in Canada if any;
  
  
• Possess the required settlement funding for at least 6 months
  
  
• Earn enough points in the six selection factors to meet the pass mark.
  
• Personal suitability - refers to a person's adaptability, motivation, initiative and resourcefulness to be able to settle in Canada

Skilled workers category is the most popular for immigration to Canada.

Proper presentation of your application is a critical aspect for your success. We can support you with preparation and submission of your application for Permanent Residence in Canada. We will counsel you all the way through the process until you become a Permanent Residence of Canada.

QUEBEC:
The Quebec government and the Government of Canada have an agreement that allows Quebec to select immigrants who best meet its own immigration needs. Under the Canada-Quebec Accord on Immigration, Quebec is able to establish its own immigration requirements and select immigrants who will adapt well to living in Quebec.

See: Quebec Immigration

Guidelines on Processing Federal Skilled Workers

Applications received on or after February 27 2008 are accessed for eligibility according to a set of Instructions issued by the Minister of Citizenship based on the demand for some Occupations in Canada.
The List of Occupations identified in the Ministerial Instructions is drawn up based on Canada’s labour market needs.

A Skilled worker application is eligible for processing if an applicant:

• Has an offer of arranged employment OR
  
  
• Is a foreign national living legally in Canada for one year as a Temporary foreign worker or an international student OR
  
  
• Is a skilled worker who has at least one year of experience in one or more of the Occupations listed in the Ministerial Instructions

Work experience must fall within the National Occupational Classification List such as Skill Type O (Managerial), A (Professional) or B (Technical & Skilled trades).

If an applicant meets these minimum requirements, the application will then be accessed on the six selection factors in the skilled worker point’s grid as listed above.
Federal Skilled worker applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be processed.

However, if an applicant is not eligible in any of the Occupations Demand list, they may qualify under another program. For instance, applicants who are not eligible for the Federal skilled category may qualify under Provincial Nominee Program or as Temporary foreign workers which could then lead them to Permanent residency through the Canadian Experience class. Thus, there are many other options to immigrate to Canada. Contact us for a List of Occupations identified in the Ministerial Instructions.