In the last few decades, there has been a significant rise in the number of applications in the Skilled Worker category. Skilled workers now make up the largest group of immigrants to Canada. In 2004, more than 50 percent of the more than 235,000 immigrant visas issued by the government of Canada were issued to skilled workers from around the globe.

Under the Canadian immigration system, skilled workers are selected for their ability to become successfully established in Canada. These skilled worker immigrants obtain permanent resident visas because they are able to demonstrate the ability to enter the labour market and show a strong likelihood of successfully establishing themselves in Canada.

Currently, there are three programs available under which you may be eligible to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker: the Federal Skilled Worker Program; the Provincial Nominee Program; and the Québec Skilled Worker Program.




Federal Skills Worker
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, visa applicants must meet a selection criterion that assesses factors such as age, education, language ability, and work experience involving certain levels of responsibilities and skills. In order to qualify for immigration to Canada as a Skilled Worker, applicants must score a minimum number of points under on a point system set out in the immigration regulations. The point system is based on the following factors:

• Education (up to a maximum of 25 points) – dependent on both the level of education and the total number of years of full-time post-secondary education by the principle applicant.
• English and/or French language ability (up to a maximum of 24 points) - dependent on the principle applicant’s ability to speak, listen, read or write in one or both official languages of Canada.
• Work Experience (up to a maximum of 21 points) – dependent on the number of years of full-time work experience in a qualifying occupation within the 10 years prior to the date of application. A minimum of one year of full-time work experience is required to apply under this category.
• Age (up to a maximum of 10 points) - dependent on the principle applicant’s age on the day application is received by CIC.
• Arranged Employment (10 points) - to obtain points for this factor, the principle applicant must be qualified to carry out the work and have a permanent job offer in Canada.
• Adaptability (up to a maximum of 10 points) – points under this factor are awarded based on an adaptability criteria which considers elements such as having previously studied or worked in Canada; having relatives living in Canada; or having an arranged employment in Canada.

As of September 18, 2003, the Minister of immigration has set the pass mark at 67 points. Under the immigration regulations, however, if a visa officer believes the point total is not a sufficient indicator of whether or not the applicant may become economically established in Canada, the officer may use his or her discretionary authority known as “substituted evaluation” to approve or refuse the application.

Please contact our office for further information regarding the procedures for applying for immigration to Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.