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Skilled Worker – Point System

Point system, or selection criteria, used for skilled workers:

Points are awarded for education, experience, knowledge of Canada’s official languages, age, employment in Canada, spouse or common-law partner’s education, applicant/spouse or common-law’s previous post –secondary studies,  work in Canada, close family members in Canada who are living in Canada and are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

 

Age:

If the applicant is between the ages of 21 and 49, 10 points are awarded.  For each year under or over these ages,  2 points must be subtracted.

 

Education:

Certificate/number of years of education Points
I did not complete secondary school.  I do not have educational credentials 0
I completed secondary school and have a diploma 5
Post-secondary diploma (not from a university), 12 years of studies 12
Post-secondary diploma (not from a university), 13 years of studies 15
One year bachelor’s degree from university, 13 years of studies 15
Two year post-secondary diploma (not from a university), 14 years of studies 20
Two year bachelor’s degree from university, 14 years of studies 20
Three year post-secondary diploma  (not from a university), 15 years of studies 22
Two or more bachelor degrees from university, 15 years of studies 22
Master’s or Ph.D. degree from university, 17 years of studies 25

 

Experience:

Years of experience Points
Less than 1 year 0
One year 15
Two years 17
Three years 19
Four years or more 21

 

Language proficiency:

A maximum of 24 points is awarded for a high proficiency in English AND French. The applicant selects his first official language as English or French.  In either language, points are distributed in components of reading, speaking, listening, and writing in a high, moderate, basic, or no proficiency.  Points are awarded for the first official language, which can be either English or French, as follows:

  Speak Read Write Listen
High proficiency 4 4 4 4
Moderate proficiency 2 2 2 2
Basic proficiency 1 1 1 1
No proficiency 0 0 0 0

For the second official language, which can be either English or French, points are awarded as follows:

  Speak Read Write Listen
High proficiency 2 2 2 2
Moderate proficiency 2 2 2 2
Basic proficiency 1 1 1 1
No proficiency 0 0 0 0

 

Arranged employment:

Points are awarded if the applicant is working in Canada and his job was validated by HRSDC; under NAFTA, Canada-Chile Free Trade agreement, as an intra-company transferee, if the applicant does not intend to work in Canada until his permanent resident visa is issued, if the employer has made an offer of permanent employment if the permanent visa is issued.  In each case, 10 points are awarded.

 

Other factors:

Criteria
Points
Spouse/common-law partner’s education 3 to 5 (see points for Education.  3 points if education score would be 12-15; 4 if 20-22; 5 if 25.
Applicant or spouse/common-law partner 2 years full-time post-secondary studies in Canada and obtained a degree 5
Applicant or spouse/common-law partner 1 year minimum of full-time work in Canada on valid work permit 5
Applicant or spouse/common-law partner has relatives living in Canada, who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada (parents, children, siblings, grandparents, aunt/uncle, grandchild) 5
Arranged employment (see above Arranged Employment) 5

 

Sufficient Funds

Funds:

Skilled workers must have sufficient funds to settle in Canada and support themselves and their family during the first six months after their arrival.  The minimum amount required varies depending on the size of the family, and is shown in the table below.  If the applicant has arranged, or indeterminate, employment in Canada, there is no need to comply with the minimum fund requirement. 

Number of family members Minimum funds required (CDN$)
1 $ 10,168
2 $ 12,659
3 $ 15,563
4 $ 18,895
5 $ 21,431
6 $ 24,170
7 $ 26,910