Who Qualifies for Canadian Permanent Residence/Skilled Worker

Immigration?
On January 1, 2015, the Government of Canada implemented the Express Entry
Immigration system under the Economic Class including the Federal Skilled Worker
Program.
Under Express Entry, Federal Skilled Workers across 347 eligible occupations who
meet minimum entry criteria, submit an expression of interest profile to the Express
Entry Pool. The profiles of candidates in the pool are ranked under a Comprehensive
Ranking System. The highest ranked candidates will be considered for an invitation to
apply for permanent residence. Candidates receiving an invitation must submit a full
application within a delay of 60-days.
Federal Skilled Workers are persons with suitable education, work experience, age
and language abilities under one of Canada's official languages and who are selected
under the Express Entry Immigration system to apply for permanent residence.
To qualify for admission to the Express Entry Pool as a Federal Skilled Worker,
applicants must meet the following conditions:
Essential Conditions:
1.

Possess one-year of continuous full-time paid work experience or the equivalent in

part-time continuous employment within the previous 10 years in one of
347 eligible occupations listed under the applicable National Occupational
Classification system; AND

2.

The work experience must be classified within Skill Type 0 (Managerial

Occupations), Skill Level A (Professional Occupations), or Skill Level B (Technical
Occupations and Skilled Trades) within the meaning of the National Occupational
Classification system; AND

3.

Score sufficient points under the skilled worker point gridcomprising of six
selection factors. The current pass mark is 67 points;

4.

Undergo language testing from a recognized third party and demonstrate

intermediate level language skills in English or French corresponding to the Canadian
Language Benchmark of 7)

5.

Possess suitable settlement funding;

6.

Undergo a successful security background and medical examination.

Under the new rules, qualified applicants are evaluated against six factors to determine
their eligibility for immigration to Canada. Applicants must obtain a total of 67 points out
of a possible 100 in order to qualify. The selection factors are:

Education;

Language;

Employment experience;

Age;

Arranged employment;

Adaptability;

The new program seeks to select candidates with the highest probability of economic
settlement success and contribution to Canada. It maintains previous criteria with
modification to the relative importance and point structure for each selection factor.
Selection Factors:
To be selected under the FSW program, applicants who possess sufficient work
experience and language proficiency must accumulate a minimum of 67 points on the
skilled worker selection grid, which allocates points for education, language, employment
experience, age, arranged Canadian employment and adaptability.
Education Maximum of 25 points
The maximum number of points awarded for education is 25, with maximum points
awarded to applicants with doctoral degrees. Foreign credentials will be evaluated by a
designated third party to determine their Canadian equivalent and points will be awarded
based on that equivalence. At this time, organizations designated for credential
evaluation are:

Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing

Studies;

International Credential Assessment Service of Canada;

World Education Services;

Medical Council of Canada.

Language - Minimum threshold of 16 points, Maximum of 28 points

Only applicants capable of demonstrating an intermediate to high level proficiency in one
of Canadas official languages, English or French, will be considered. Applicants who meet
the minimum threshold must score at least 16 points under this selection factor. Higher
language proficiency can lead to an allocation of up to 24 points.
The benefits of bilingualism are considered marginal to an individuals successful
economic establishment in Canada and the new point system limits points for a second
official language to a maximum of 4.

Employment Experience Minimum of 9 points, Maximum of 15 points

The new program requires a minimum of 1-year to qualify and the maximum
consideration is 6-years.
Age Maximum of 12 points
Up to 12 points will be allotted to candidates between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Each
year above the age of 35 will reduce the allocation by 1, with no points being awarded as
of age 47.
Arranged Employment 0 or 10 points
Points are allotted to individuals with a validated offer of employment in Canada. In an
effort to streamline labour market related processes and reduce processing times for
employers and their potential employees, the Arranged Employment Opinion process will
be replaced with the Labour Market Opinion (LMO) employment validation process which
is generally used in processing applications for Canadian work permits.
In order to validate an employment offer and obtain points for this selection factor, a
candidates proposed employer must demonstrate to Human Resources and Skills
Development Canada that the hiring of a foreign worker will have neutral or positive
economic effects on the local labour market.
Candidates with a validated employment offer will gain 10 points under this factor, and
an additional 5 points in the Adaptability selection factor for a total of 15 points.
Adaptability Maximum of 10 points
Applicants who have at least 1 year of full time Canadian work experience in a
managerial, professional, technical or skilled trade occupation will be awarded maximum
points. As mentioned above, a validated offer of employment will provide 5 adaptability
points. Other considerations awarding points under this selection factor include: A close
adult relative living in Canada; Applicant or spouse has studied in Canada; Spouse has
previous Canadian work experience; Spouse has knowledge of one of Canadas official
languages.
Skilled Worker Selection Grid

Factor

Score Final

EDUCATION

Max.
25

(Canadian equivalence established by a

designated third party)
Doctorate

25

Masters or professional degree

23

Two or more post-secondary degrees,

of which one is three years or longer

22

A three year or longer post-secondary

degree

21

A two-year post-secondary diploma,

trade certificate or apprenticeship

19

A one-year post-secondary diploma,

trade certificate or apprenticeship

15

Secondary School Educational

Credential

LANGUAGE (Abilities: Speak,

Read, Write, Listen)

Max.
28

Very high proficiency (per

ability) (CLB 9)

High proficiency (per ability)

(CLB 8)

Intermediate proficiency
1st Lang (per ability) (CLB 7)*
*Minimum threshold
required to apply

Basic or no proficiency

Possible maximum (all four

abilities)

24

Basic proficiency or higher

(per ability)

2ndLang No proficiency
Possible maximum (all four
abilities)

0
4

EXPERIENCE (NOC Skill Level

O,A,B)

Max.
15

One year*
*Minimum threshold required to apply

Two to three years

11

Four to five years

13

Six years or more

15

AGE

Max.
12

18 to 35 years

12

36 years

11

Less one point per year until 47 years

ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN
CANADA

Max.
10

HRSDC-confirmed permanent offer of

employment

10

Applicants from within Canada holding a temporary

work permit that is:

Validated by HRSDC, including

sectoral confirmations

10

Exempt from HRSDC

validation under international
agreements (e.g., NAFTA)

10

ADAPTABILITY

Max.
10

Applicant has a minimum of 1 year

skilled Work experience in Canada

10

Applicant has previously studied in

Canada

Spouse has previously studied in

Canada

Spouse has previously worked in

Canada

Family relation over the age of 18 in

Canada

Arranged employment

Spouse is proficient in an official

language

Total

100

CIC policy confirms that the Federal Skilled Worker Program, while well-tailored to select
highly educated individuals, does not favour applications from the skilled trades. In an
effort to ensure the Canadian labour market attracts sufficient trades workers, qualified
trades candidates may now apply for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled
Trades Program.
Persons interested in applying for permanent residence are invited to communicate with
us at their convenience and/or to complete anassessment questionnaire. Upon receipt
we will assess your options.