Federal Skilled Worker program

Citizenship and Immigration Canada provides opportunities to skilled workers to become permanent residents based on their ability to establish economically in Canada and who intend to reside in a province other than the Province of Quebec.

Under the new Express Entry process, the Skilled Workers are selected as permanent residents based on their ability to settle in Canada economically which is evaluated based on their language skills, education, work experience, age and some other factors that are helpful for new immigrants to establish themselves in Canada.

The prospective applicant first fills an online application providing basic information as outlined in selection factors below. The applicants are ranked using a Comprehensive Ranking System and IRCC will invite top candidates to submit their complete permanent residence application.

Requirements & Application Process

Skilled workers are selected by IRCC to become Canadian permanent residents based on certain qualifications which provide evidence of their ability to become economically established within Canada.

  • At least one year (1560 hours total / 30 hours per week), paid, continuous full-time or equivalent time in part-time work in the same NOC within the last 10 years. The NOC must be 0, A or B of the 2011 National Occupation Classification.
  • You must meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French for your first official language in all four language abilities (Reading, Writing, speaking and Listening). Approved language tests include IELTS, CELPIP & TEF.
  • Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by IRCC to show your foreign education is equal to Canadian education standards.

For additional requirements, please contact us or check the IRCC web site.

If you meet all minimum requirements and are invited to submit an application, your application will be assessed based on the following selection factors:

Selection factors Points
Factor 1: Education Maximum 25 points
Factor 2: Ability in English and/or French Maximum 28 points
Factor 3: Work experience Maximum 15 points
Factor 4: Age Maximum 12 points
Factor 5: Arranged employment in Canada Maximum 10 points
Factor 6: Adaptability Maximum 10 points
Total Maximum 100 points
Pass Mark 67 points

Click here for a free assessment of your eligibility points.