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Independent/Skilled Worker Class
What exactly is a Skilled Worker?
Canada's immigration laws for skilled workers wishing to become permanent residents are based on a point system that weighs an individual's qualifications. The point system is based on several factors including age, work experience, education, language ability, and adaptability (such as having relatives in Canada or a spouse's education). Points are awarded for each category in different amounts that when added, determine if a person qualifies. Presently, the minimum number of points required to qualify is 67 out of a maximum of 100 points.
In the past, the Skilled Worker category was open to thousands of professions and job titles, as long as these were considered skilled under the National Occupation Classification Code administered by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. In February 2008, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism changed the Skilled Worker system, effectively dividing it into three categories.
NEW! As of June 26, 2010, the list of eligible occupations has been reduced from 38 to 29. In addition, Category three has been eliminated. Below are the new occupations:
Category 1 allows applicants who possess work experience in one of twenty-nine listed occupations to apply:
0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
0811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
2121 Biologists and Related Scientists
2151 Architects
3111 Specialist Physicians
3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
3113 Dentists
3131 Pharmacists
3142 Physiotherapists
3152 Registered Nurses
3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
3222 Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
4151 Psychologists
4152 Social Workers
6241 Chefs
6242 Cooks
7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
7241 Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
7242 Industrial Electricians
7251 Plumbers
7265 Welders & Related Machine Operators
7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
7371 Crane Operators
7372 Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
Only applicants with at least one year of full-time or continuous part-time experience in one of the above listed professions, obtained within the last ten years can apply. These applicants do not have to be in Canada. In fact, many of the applicants under Category one obtain Canadian permanent residence status without ever having set a foot in Canada.
Category 2 is for applicants who have an Offer of Arranged Employment approved by Service Canada or a letter from a Canadian employer confirming an offer of permanent employment after the applicant obtains their permanent resident status.
Accordingly, Category 1 is primarily designed for individuals who have not yet established connections or ties to Canada. Among other factors, they must have obtained work experience in one of the professions identified in the Ministerial Instructions. Category 2, on the other hand, is designed to facilitate immigration to individuals who have obtained permanent, full-time employment in Canada or a promise of full-time employment by a Canadian company. Under both categories, the applicant must still score a minimum of 67 points on the point system.
Processing times under the Skilled Worker class vary in different jurisdictions, but range anywhere between 6 to 15 months.*
*Please note processing times are constantly changing depending on consular processing priorities.
We recommend booking a consultation with one of our lawyers to review your personal background and determine whether you qualify as a Skilled Worker.
Selection Grid
The Point System is divided in accordance with the following table:
|
AGE |
Maximum 10 Points |
|
21 to 49 years of age at the time of filing the application |
10 |
|
Deduct two points for each year of age over 49 years or under 21 years |
|
|
EDUCATION |
Maximum 25 Points |
|
University Degree |
|
|
Master's or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
25 |
|
Two or more university degrees at the Bachelor's level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
22 |
|
A university degree of two years or more at the Bachelor's level, and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
20 |
|
A one-year university degree at the Bachelor's level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
15 |
|
Trade/Non-University Certificate/Diploma |
|
|
A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
22 |
|
A two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
20 |
|
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
15 |
|
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study |
12 |
|
High School |
|
|
High School / Secondary School |
5 |
|
LANGUAGE |
Maximum 24 Points |
|
High proficiency in a first official language in speaking / reading / writing / listening |
4 points per skill |
|
Moderate proficiency in a first official language in speaking / reading / writing / listening |
2 points per skill |
|
Basic proficiency or no abilities in a first official language in speaking / reading / writing / listening |
1 point per skill to a max. of 2 |
|
No ability in a first official language |
0 |
|
High proficiency in a second official language in speaking / reading / writing / listening |
2 points per skill |
|
Moderate proficiency in a second official language in speaking / reading / writing / listening |
2 points per skill |
|
Basic proficiency or no abilities in a second official language in speaking / reading / writing / listening |
1 point per skill to a max. of 2 |
|
WORK EXPERIENCE |
Maximum 21 Points |
|
Four years of skilled work experience |
21 |
|
Three years of skilled work experience |
19 |
|
Two years of skilled work experience |
17 |
|
One year of skilled work experience |
15 |
|
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT |
Maximum 10 Points |
|
HRSDC authorized employment after permanent residence is granted |
10 |
|
Presently in Canada with an HRSDC authorized work permit |
10 |
|
Presently in Canada with an HRSDC exempt work permit |
10 |
|
ADAPTABILITY |
Maximum 10 Points |
|
Spouse or common-law partner's level of education |
|
|
A Master's or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time studies |
5 |
|
Two year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship or university degree and 14 years of full-time studies |
4 |
|
One year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship or university degree and 12 years of full-time studies |
3 |
|
Previous study in Canada |
|
|
Applicant, spouse or common law partner studied full-time at a post-secondary institution in Canada for at least two years |
5 |
|
Previous Work in Canada |
|
|
Applicant, spouse or common law partner completed one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit |
5 |
|
Arranged employment |
|
|
Applicant earned points under Arranged Employment |
5 |
|
Relatives in Canada |
|
|
Applicant, spouse or common-law partner has a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who lives in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident |
5 |
|
TOTAL |
Maximum 100 Points |
|
A minimum of 67 point is required to qualify for Landed Immigrant status |
|
Settlement Fees
In order to immigrate to Canada, applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient settlement funds in the following amounts:
|
Number of Family Members |
Funds Required ($ Cdn) |
|
1 |
$11,115 |
|
2 |
$13,837 |
|
3 |
$17,011 |
|
4 |
$20,654 |
|
5 |
$23,425 |
|
6 |
$26,419 |
|
7 or more |
$29,414 |
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