If you don’t have relatives in Canada and if you’re not a refugee, you will probably apply for permanent residence as a skilled worker.
What’s a “skilled worker”?
What does it take to be a skilled worker? Do You have to be a brain surgeon?
Actually, no. Phew. Skilled workers are basically professionals Canada needs for various reasons, usually because of labour shortages. There’s a long list of eligible occupations, from managerial jobs to skilled trades and the list changes over time based on who Canada needs.
Note that there are several programs for skilled workers.
Who is eligible as a skilled worker?
This is a point-based system and you should find out if you’re eligible before applying. There’s no trick or secret. Check the selection factors—if you score 67 points or higher, you may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
The minimum requirements are:
- skilled work experience
- language ability
- education
What are the six selection factors?
Language skills (max. 28 points)
Being fluent in either French or English, or better in both official languages, helps you on the job market. You will have to prove your language proficiency and take an approved test.
Education (max. 25 points)
Foreign education must be assessed by an approved organization.
Work experience (max. 15 points)
You can get points for the number of years you’ve spent doing full-time paid work in Canada or abroad at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2016 National Occupational Classification.
Age (max. 12 points)
18-35-year-old applicants get the most points. It drops to 0 at 47 or older.
Arranged employment in Canada (max. 10 points)
You can get points if you have a job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer. You must get the job offer before you apply to come to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker.
Adaptability (max 10 points)
Your spouse or partner’s language level, past studies in Canada, past work in Canada or relatives in Canada can give you extra points.
I have at least 67 points! What’s next?
Once you determined whether you have at least 67 points, you may apply for permanent residence in the skilled worker category.
Now, you probably don’t want to hear that but remember you will need money and it will take time. It’s quite an adventure, after all.
The process itself costs money. Besides, if you don’t have arranged employment in Canada, you will need to show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family when you arrive. Currently, it’s $12,960 for a single person and $16,135 for a couple. So, start saving! It may take a few months before you can find a good job and a few years before you can find your dream job! You are starting from scratch—trust me, you’ll need this kind of money and more if you can save.
How can I apply in the skilled worker category?
- Gather all the document you need for your application, such as language test results, education credential assessment report and passport info. If you receive an invitation to apply, you will probably have to submit police certificates, medical exams and proof of funds.
- submit your profile to the Express Entry pool by creating a profile and filling out online forms.
- Wait for an invitation to submit your application if your profile is picked.
If Express Entry isn’t the right category for you as a skilled worker, you may want to explore opportunities with other immigration programs such as:
- Provincial nominees (immigrate by being nominated by a Canadian province or territory)
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot (immigrate by graduating from a school or working in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador)
- Start-up Visa (immigrate by starting a business and creating jobs)
- Quebec-selected skilled workers (immigrate as a skilled worker in the province of Quebec)
- Self-employed (immigrate as a self-employed person in cultural or athletic activities)
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (smaller Canadian communities supporting their local economy through immigration. Pilot opens to permanent resident applicants later in 2019)
- Agri-Food Pilot (immigrate by working in specific agri-food industries and occupations)
Ah thats nice of you to share so much info….
One query, generally I saw in my friends that life is not easier in Canada after you immigrate if you dnt hold a degree in Canadian Insti…. Is that true in all states?
My wife and I both speak English, have Masters degrees, and are skilled professionals, me a computer programmer her a social worker. But we are too old I think. We might not transplant very well. Alas, we will have to settle for being tourists.
How many points did you get for speaking English, French, Spanish, and Chinese? I think a lot.
Does France or the EU have a similar system? I don’t think so, but maybe I’m missing something. I seem to remember talk about a “Bluecard” to be akin to the U.S.’s “Greencard” as way to attract skilled workers, but I’m not sure where they are in the process of making this a reality.
I’m curious about why you’ve received so many emails about immigrating to Canada and where people want to immigrate from. My husband and I have been talking alot about immigrating out of the US. Mostly because of the healthcare system in the US. We take good care of ourselves but that isn’t always a guarantee that we won’t experience health problems. With the current cost of healthcare in the US, we’ve heard so many stories of people who were driven into bankrupcy by health issues. We aren’t sure we’d be able to avoid this if we experienced health issues.
me: jumping up and down
arms waving, hair flying
about my shoulders like dust
after a brisk feathering,
thinking: i have skillz.
@CM-Chap – All provinces, you mean ? 😉
You can find a good job even with a foreign degree. There are two things here:
1) You have a degree from a foreign university/ school, you just have to have it recognized. Most of time, it’s not really a bog problem, plus Canadian value experience so as long as you are good…
2) You want to work in a field that is protected, for example medicine, accounting or engineering. That is more tricky, because these fields have strict regulations and yes, you may have to take some classes in Canada.
Hope I answered your question!
@Tulsa Gentleman – I actually didn’t immigrate as a skilled worker, I did the sponsoring because Feng is Canadian. I wouldn’t have had any points for work experience… I was only 22 😉
@Tanya – Nope! That is because officially, France is not looking for immigrants, unlike Canada. It does not have a real immigration policy, outside reuniting families. Immigration is very tricky in France… I tried to understand it and I gave up!
@Angela May – I have never received emails from Americans. Because you guys are neighbors I guess most Americans know about Canada and about immigration (or think they know).
I receive quite a few emails from France, because the economic situation is quite bad right now. Europe, in general, where people are skilled enough but feel they are underpaid (they are, especially people my age).
I also receive a lot of desperate emails from poorer countries, such as Algeria, Mali etc.
@Seraphine – You do! Just send your blog to Citizenship & Immigration canada — they would love it. I know: I teach there!
Wow. Thank you for the information, in plain English! Given that it’s that time of the life that I am about to finish school and start working, I would have great use with your information.
I have a question want to ask. how long it will take to checked for eligibility in bufflo USA.
You can read this post: https://correresmidestino.com/length-of-immigration-process/
It should answer your questions, all links are provided.
I also would like to know how long the process normally take through the Buffalo USA office and secondly, once you are approved for permanent residency, how long do you have before you have to enter Canada?
For Buffalo, you can check the processing time online: http://www.cic.gc.ca/English/information/times/index.asp
You must land in Canada before the expiry date, which is on your visa. Usually, the expiry date is one year from the time medical examinations were completed.
My fiancée and I will apply for the province programme to British Columbia. As soon as I have the marriage certificate, we will apply.
Wish me luck!
.-= Cornflakegirl´s last blog ..The soundtrack of writing =-.
Thanks so much for this information. This is extremely helpful and totally appreciated. One question a friend of mine has three years experience in the US in a skill needed in Canada (Accounting). He graduated from US but currently is out of status in the US. Would that affect his immigration to the Canada?
Hey, thanks for all the info provided, its really helpful, I am trying to settle in Quebec region. I have enough points, but the only thing that concern me about is that I did not keep the contract of my past jobs, or reference letters etc…
Is that a big issue?
kind regards
Xavier
We r required to live in canada for two yrs in five year span for permanent residency. What r the exceptions
I wish the period of five year may be extended to ten years, is it possible?
No, it’s not possible. There are very few exceptions to the residency requirements, you must meet them or lose your PR.
i have a brother in Canada and he is willing to give an affidavit of support. I am presently working here in UAE is it okay i will apply for skilled worker? Do i still to show sufficient fund even though my brother will support me there?
No idea, check http://www.cic.gc.ca.
Hi Very Informative post I must say, but I do have a question. In the link provided by you (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-instructions.asp#list) I see that
2147 Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers) (Cap reached)
2174 Computer programmers and interactive media developers (Cap reached)
I have four questions but before that I would like to add that I am a Senior Software Engineer (Software Developer developing Windows and Web based applications).
Q1. Which skill do I fall 2147 or 2174?
Q2. What does Cap reached actually mean?
Q3. If I understand this answer to Q2 well, it means that the quota is reached it upper limit for the said category or skill. In that case, how can keep track of time that when new window opens (usually what time of year it opens)
Q4. Is it really 1st come 1st serve basis, what about the More skilled to less skilled things as in (4+ year experience to 1+ year experience)
I’m sorry, your questions are too specific, I can’t answer them. You can try to contact CIC or ask an immigration specialist. Good luck!