Only experience in Skill Type 0, A or B is considered relevant for applicants in the Federal
Skilled Worker Class.
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the experience in Skill Type 0, A or B
must consist of actions described in the lead description and a substantial number of the
duties described in the Main Duties section of the NOC, including all the essential duties.
He/she must meet the minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in either
English or French for all four (4) language abilities.
B. Point Assessment
Assuming that an individual meets the aforementioned prerequisites, he/she is then assessed
according to various selection criteria by Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials and
he/she must attain a minimum score of sixty-seven (67) points overall to qualify for the
Federal Skilled Worker Class.
These selection criteria are as follows:
1. Education: |
Maximum |
25 Points |
2. Official Languages: |
Maximum |
28 Points |
3. Experience: |
Maximum |
15 Points |
4. Arranged Employment: |
Maximum |
10 Points |
5. Age: |
Maximum |
12 Points |
6. Adaptability: |
Maximum |
10 Points |
TOTAL POINTS |
Maximum |
100 Points |
POINTS REQUIRED TO PASS: |
67 Points |
C. Applying Under Express Entry
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has implemented a new method of processing candidates in
the Federal Skilled Worker Class/Federal Skilled Trades Class/Canadian Experience Class for
Immigration to Canada called Express Entry. The Express Entry system involves two (2) steps:
Step 1 Completion of Online Express Entry Profile
In order for an individual to complete an Online Express Entry Profile and possibly be
invited to apply for Permanent Residence in Canada, he/she must qualify under the Federal
Skilled Worker Class OR the Federal Skilled Trades Class OR the Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates will complete an Online Express Entry profile. This is a secure form that gathers
information about their:
- skills,
- work experience,
- language ability,
- education, and
- other details that will help Citizenship and Immigration Canada assess
their eligibility.
Those who meet Citizenship and Immigration Canada's criteria will be accepted into a pool of
candidates.
Anyone who does not already have a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment
(LMIA) (if needed) or a nomination from a province or territory, must register with
Employment and Social Development Canada's (ESDC) Job Bank. Job Bank will eventually help
connect Express Entry candidates with eligible employers in Canada.
Candidates are also encouraged to promote themselves to employers in other ways, such as
using job boards, recruiters, etc.
In most cases when there is a job being offered to a candidate, employers will need an LMIA
from ESDC. The LMIA process ensures employers have made an effort to hire Canadians for
available jobs. There will be no government fee payable for LMIA Applications that support
only a Permanent Residence Application. Government fees are payable for LMIA Applications
that support a Work Permit Application.
Step 2 Highest Ranking Candidates in the Pool Will Be Invited to Apply for Permanent
Residence
Candidates will be ranked against others in the pool using a point-based system called the
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS will assess the profile information candidates
submit, including:
- skills,
- work experience,
- language ability,
- education and other factors.
A candidate can get additional points for:
- a job offer supported by LMIA, or
- a nomination by a province or territory.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada will choose candidates from the pool through regular
draws, choosing a pre-determined number of candidates with the highest scores from the pool
and inviting them to apply for Permanent Residence in Canada.
Draws will be made from the Express Entry pool on a regular basis. Every draw will have a set
of instructions the electronic system will use to draw candidates from the pool. These
instructions will be posted on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website before each
draw.
These instructions will include:
- the date of the next draw,
- the number of candidates that will get an Invitation To Apply, and
- if it applies, which specific Immigration program(s) will be included in
the draw.
If the instructions do not specify which Immigration program the candidates must be eligible
for, the draw will be based on the CRS score.
If someone is invited to apply, they will have sixty (60) days to submit an online
Application for Permanent Residence.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada will process the majority of complete Applications
(meaning those with all the necessary supporting documents) in six (6) months or less.
Candidates can stay in the pool for up to twelve (12) months. If they do not get an
Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence within twelve (12) months of submitting an
Express Entry profile, they may submit a new profile. If they still meet the criteria, they
can re-enter the pool. This will prevent backlogs and ensure quick processing times.