Skilled Worker

Skilled workers are selected as permanent residents based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help them become economically established in Canada.

• Federal Skilled Worker
• Canadian Experience Class

Skilled workers are selected as permanent residents based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help them become economically established in Canada. Canada Federal Skilled Worker immigration applications are assessed on six factors. Each selection factor is allotted a maximum number of points, and applicants must attain at least 67 points in order to qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa.

Effective June 26, 2010, an applicant must either have a valid job offer, or minimum one year experience in one of the 29 in demand occupations. This occupation list has been compiled based on consultations with provincial and territorial business and labour stakeholders, and public. In addition, all Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class applicants must submit the results of an independent language test before they will be considered.

For the applicants applying under the 29 in-demand occupation list, the government will limit the number of applications considered to 20,000 per year, and within that limit, a maximum of 1,000 applications per occupation will be considered. This limit does not apply to applicants with a job offer.

The selection factors may be summarized as follows:

• Education: Applicants are awarded upto 25 points;
• Language Skills: Applicants are awarded upto 24 points;
• Experience: Applicants are awarded upto 21 points;
• Age: Applicants are awarded upto 10 points;
• Arranged Employment: Applicants are awarded upto 10 points;
• Adaptability: Applicants are awarded upto 10 points.

Whatever the number of points awarded, it is always upto the discretion of the Visa Officer to accept or refuse the application based on a substituted evaluation. In addition to having experience in one of the 29 occupations, and scoring minimum 67 points, successful applicants must show that they have enough funds to support themselves and their dependants after arrival in Canada. Applicants and their dependant family members must also undergo medical examinations and security clearances as part of the Canadian immigration application process. You can use our free Eligibility Assessment test to see if you earn enough points to qualify. For those applicants who have their files returned can apply under several other categories under which they may qualify for Canadian immigration. The Provincial Nomination Programs (PNP) are also attractive fast track options.

Applicants intending to reside in Montreal or another city in the Province of Quebec are subject to Quebec selection.

Canadian Experience Class is an immigration category for Canada’s temporary foreign workers and international graduates who wish to become Permanent Residents. They have the qualities to make a successful transition from temporary to permanent residence, as they are familiar with the Canadian society and can contribute to the Canadian economy. The Canadian Experience caters specifically to applicants who have been in Canada on a temporary basis. There are separate requirements for the two types of applicants:

International Graduates with Canadian Work Experience: Applicants must meet these requirements: Successfully completed a program of study of at least two academic years at a Canadian post-secondary educational institution; and Obtained at least one year of skilled, professional or technical work experience within 24 months of the application date.

Temporary Foreign Workers: Applicants must meet the following requirement: Obtained at least two years of skilled, professional, or technical work experience within 36 months of the application date.

Please note that as of June 26, 2010, it has also become a requirement to include the results of an independent language test (agency designated by CIC) with the application. An applicant who meets the minimum requirements and is still in Canada on either a Post Graduate Work Permit or a Temporary Work Permit may apply from within Canada. For individuals no longer in Canada, applications must be submitted within one year of leaving their job in Canada.