Independent / Skilled Worker Immigrants – Point System

To be eligible for permanent residence (Landed Immigrant) in Canada, you must obtain at least 67 points (100 pts = perfect score) in the point assessment.  The most important point assessment criteria are related to occupation; what you intend to do for a living in Canada and why you are qualified to do it. Immigration officials will look at your education and training, employment skills and experience to assess whether you are qualified for Canadian immigration.

 

HOW THE POINTS ARE DETERMINED

Education (max 25 pts)

Languages (max 24 pts)

Work Experience (max. 21 pts)

Age (max 10 pts)

Arranged Employment in Canada (max 10 pts)

Adaptability (max 10 pts)

 

1. EDUCATION

EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS

MAXIMUM 25 POINTS

Master's Degree or Ph.D. AND at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

25

Two or more university degrees at the bachelor's level AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22

Three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22

Two-year university degree at the bachelor's level AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20

Two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20

One-year university degree at the bachelor's level AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15

One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15

One-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

12

Completed high school.

5

 

2. LANGUAGES

FIRST OFFICIAL LANGUAGE (English or French)

 

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

High Proficiency

4

4

4

4

Moderate Proficiency

2

2

2

2

Basic Proficiency*

1

1

1

1

*Maximum of 2 points in total for basic-level proficiency.

No Ability

0

0

0

0

 

SECOND OFFICIAL LANGUAGE (English or French)

 

Speaking

Listening

Reading

Writing

High Proficiency

2

2

2

2

Moderate Proficiency

2

2

2

2

Basic Proficiency*

1

1

1

1

*Maximum of only 2 points in total for basic-level proficiency.

No Ability

0

0

0

0

 

 

3. WORK EXPERIENCE

Years of Experience*

POINTS

One year

15

Two years

17

Three years

19

Four or more years

21

 

 

4. AGE

AGE

POINTS

16 and younger

0 points (minimum)

17

2 points

18

4 points

19

6 points

20

8 points

21-49 years old

10 points (maximum)

50

8 points

51

6 points

52

4 points

53

2 points

54 and older

0 points (minimum)

 

5. ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA

You will receive 10 points if you have a job offer in Canada, or if you are currently working in Canada on a valid work permit.

 

6.  ADAPTABILITY FACTOR (maximum 10 points)
The Adaptability Factor is intended to give you points for things that may enhance your ability to become successfully established in Canada. You may receive points for one or a combination of the following (up to a maximum of 10 points overall):

a) Partner’s Education (3, 4 or 5 points)
If your spouse or common-law partner is accompanying you to Canada, you may receive points for your partner’s education.

Look at the table provided above in the description of the Education Factor. Determine the number of points that your partner’s education corresponds to in that table:

·  if it corresponds to 12 or 15 points, you may receive 3 points for it under the Adaptability Factor;

·  if it corresponds to 20 or 22 points, you may receive 4 points for it under the Adaptability Factor;

·  if it corresponds to 25 points, you may receive 5 points for it under the Adaptability Factor;

b) Previous Work Experience in Canada (5 points)
If you completed a minimum of 1 year of full-time (or full-time equivalent) authorized work in Canada,

c) Previous Study in Canada (5 points)
If you completed a minimum of 2 years of full-time post-secondary study in Canada.

d) Arranged Employment (5 points)
If you receive points for the Arranged Employment Factor (see above), or if your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has arranged employment in Canada.

e) Relative in Canada (5 points)
 (father, mother, grandparent, son, daughter, grandchild, sister, brother, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle).