Skilled Worker Applications

Skilled Worker Applications: A path for Permanent Residence in Canada

If you are a skilled worker, you may be able to qualify for Immigration to Canada. A Skilled Worker application is one of the main paths for immigration to Canada. Canada accepts thousands of Skilled Worker Applications each year. However. the process is not easy and is very time-consuming. Applying for Canadian Permanent residence requires knowledge of the requirements, procedures, Canadian Embassies as well as how to respond to inquiries from Canada immigration during the application process.

Our law firm has over 15 years of experience in handling Skilled Worker cases from virtually every country. Applying for Canadian immigration will be one your the most important life decisions. Make sure your case is in good hands!

Contact our immigration office for a comprehensive assessment of your Skilled Worker Application.

Applying for Canadian immigration as a Skilled Worker

The Skilled Worker Category is for individuals who immigrate to Canada on the basis of their own personal credentials. To qualify for this category, applicants are assessed on a number of different “factors” about their personal circumstances and are awarded “points” for each factor. How many points do you need to qualify? The answer is 67. What are the factors that give you these points?

Skilled Worker Application Tips

Here are some tips to get you started to give you a just an idea of what score you are likely to get.

Note that to qualify under the Skilled Worker Class, you will have to have at least one (1) year of full-time (37.5 hours per week or more) work experience within the past ten (10) years in one of the occupations listed in either Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The NOC was developed by Human Resources Development Canada to be a systematic cataloging of occupations in the Canadian labour market. The NOC is divided into five (5) bands:

  • Skill Type 0 Management Occupations
  • Skill Level A Professional and Related occupations
  • Skill Level B Technical, skilled trades and paraprofessional occupations
  • Skill Level C Occupations of intermediate level, clerical or supportive functions
  • Skill Level D Elemental sales or service and primary labour occupations

Subject to certain limited exceptions, only experience in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A and B are considered relevant for applicants in the Independent/Skilled Worker Class.

If you have at least one year of work experience within the last ten years in occupations listed under Skill Type O, A or B, you then have to be assessed according to various selection criteria by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Applicants must attain a minimum score of sixty-seven (67) points overall in order to be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada.

These selection criteria are as follows:

Education Maximum 25 Points
Official Languages Maximum 24 Points
Experience Maximum 21 Points
Arranged Employment Maximum 10 Points
Age Maximum 10 Points
Adaptability Maximum 10 Points
TOTAL POINTS                   100 Points
Points to Pass                        67 Points

How Many Points Do YOU Get?

Calculating your points can be somewhat complicated. It is more than just a matter of adding up the scores. It is NOT recommended that you rely on your own assessment. There are many legal issues involved in the proper calculation of immigration points that must be taken into consideration when adding up your score. A thorough understanding of Canadian immigration law is required to accurately assess whether you have enough points to immigrate. It is recommended that you get a professional assessment to accurately calculate your score.

IMPORTANT:  Changes to Skilled Worker Program Announced June 26, 2010.

In order to expedite backlog processing, some restrictions have been placed on Skilled Worker program applications. Some applications will not be processed.

Unless you have an offer of arranged employment; or you have already been living legally in Canada for one year as a temporary foreign worker or international student, you must have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of 29 specific high-demand occupations.

What if I don’t get enough points to qualify as a Skilled Worker?

It is important to note that if an applicant scores below sixty-seven (67) points, he/she may still be approved in cases where the immigration officer assessing the case exercises positive discretion in the applicant’s favour. The Immigration Regulations permit an immigration officer to exercise positive discretion in such a case, if the officer is of the opinion that it is likely that the applicant will economically establish himself/herself in Canada. Beware however, that the Immigration Regulations gives an immigration officer the power to exercise negative discretion in cases where the applicant scores 67 points or above if the officer forms the opinion that the applicant will unlikely economically establish himself/herself in Canada.

How can we help with your Skilled Worker Application?

Like all immigration applications, getting it right the first time is essential. Our firm makes sure that your Skilled Worker Application is prepared properly which means ALL the documentation and information necessary is assembled and organized for review by the Visa officer. We also prepare a detailed legal submission letter explaining why you are a qualified candidate for Canadian immigration. Finally, we make sure your application is submitted to the correct Visa office. Once your application is submitted we also monitor it as its being processed. We are there for you every step of the way!

Changes to Skilled Worker Program

Do you need help with your Skilled Worker Application?

Give us a call at 1 866 929 0991 or email us at [email protected]