Federal Skilled Workers

1. INTRODUCTION

   Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program ("FSW"), skilled workers are selected as permanent residents (i.e. persons who are entitled to live in Canada permanently) based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help them become economically established in Canada. The following is an overview of the requirements of the FSW immigration category.

2. QUALIFICATION SYSTEM

   The eligibility of applicants is assessed on the basis of six selection factors (as more particularly described below). The applicant may be awarded points in each category and has to reach a minimum of 67 points to qualify as a skilled worker for the purpose of the FSW. However, obtaining or exceeding 67 points does not necessarily guarantee the granting of permanent residence as the final decision is still up to the discretion of the reviewing officer and is contingent on police clearances and a medical examination.

3. MINIMUM QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS

   (a) Selection Factors

   Applicants are assessed and awarded points under the following six selection factors:

   (i) Education (Maximum of 25 points)

   1. 5 points awarded for a secondary school educational credential.

   2. 12 points awarded for a one‐year post‐secondary (non‐university) educational credential and a minimum of 12 years of full‐time study.

   3. 15 points awarded for a one‐year post‐secondary (non‐university) educational credential and a minimum of 13 years of full‐time study OR a one‐year university educational credential at the bachelor's level and a minimum of 13 years of full‐time study.

   4. 20 points awarded for a two‐year post‐secondary (non‐university) educational credential and a minimum of 14 years of full‐time study OR a two‐year university credential at the bachelor's level and a minimum of 14 years of full‐time study.

   5. 22 points awarded for a three‐year post‐secondary (non‐university) educational credential and a minimum of 15 years of full‐time study OR two or more university educational credentials at the bachelor's level and a minimum of 15 years of full‐time study. f. 25 points for a university educational credential at the master's or doctoral level and a minimum of 17 years of full‐time study.

      (ii) Language ability in English and/or French (Maximum of 24 points)

      You must specify in your FSW application which of English or French is to be considered your first official language in Canada. Furthermore, you must have your proficiency in English and/or French assessed by an organization or institution designated by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

      The amount of points awarded to you under language ability corresponds with your ability to read, write, listen and speak in English and/or French. These scores will be assessed by the testing center.

      (iii) Work Experience (Maximum of 21 points)

      In order to be awarded points under work experience, your work experience must have occurred within the last 10 years and fall within Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or Skill Level B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification ("NOC") list. The number of points awarded are based on the number of years of experience the applicant has in an eligible occupation, as follows:

   1. for one year of work experience – 15 points

   2. for two-years of work experience – 17 points

   3. for three-years of work experience – 19 points; and

   4. for four or more years of work experience – 21 points.

      (iv) Age – (Maximum of...