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immigrating to Canada: overview

immigrating to Canada: independent immigrants
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immigrating to Canada: the refugee system
immigrating to Canada: more categories
Max Berger PLC, Canadian immigration lawyer

Immigration Categories
Independent Immigrants:
Toronto skyline
How much money will I need?
What languages do I need to know?
What are the selection factors?
Who is the principal applicant?
What about my credentials and licenses?
Skilled Worker Category
Skilled workers are people who may become permanent residents because they are a
ble to become economically established in Canada.
To be accepted as a Skilled Worker, applicants must:
meet the minimum work experience requirements;
prove that they have the funds required for settlement; and
earn enough points in the six selection factors to meet the pass mark.
You must meet the following minimum work experience requirements to allow you to
apply as a skilled worker:
You must have at least one year of full-time work experience. You must have been
paid for this work.
Your work experience must be in the category of Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A o
r B on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC). (See below for i
nstructions.)
You must have had this experience within the last 10 years
If the description does not match your work experience then you might not have t
he experience you need to apply as a skilled worker. Check all of the jobs you h
ad in the past 10 years to see if you have at least one year of work experience
in a job that will qualify you as a skilled worker.
You do not meet the minimum requirements if:
none of your work experience is listed in the NOC list;
your experience did not occur in the 10 years before you applied; or
your only work experience is in a restricted occupation.
If you do not meet the minimum work experience requirements, your application as
a Skilled Worker will be refused.

Proof of Funds:back to top

The Government of Canada does not provide financial support to new skilled worke
r immigrants.
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents
after you arrive in Canada. You cannot borrow this money from another person. Y
ou must be able to use this money to support your family.
You will need to provide proof of your funds when you submit your application fo
r immigration.
The amount of money that you need to have to support your family is determined b
y the size of your family.
Number of
Family Members
Funds Required
(in Canadian dollars)
1
$9,186
2
$11,482
3
$14,280
4
$17,286
5
$19,323
6
$21,360
7 or more
$23,397

You do not have to show that you have these funds if you have arranged employmen
t in Canada.

Language Skills:back to top

Language skills are an important factor in the selection process. Points are giv
en for your ability in one or both of Canada's official languages, English and F
rench. There are two options to document your language abilities;
approved language tests; and
Canadian Language Benchmarks
The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada's official language
s is very important to you as a skilled worker. Abilities in English, French or
both will help you in the Canadian labour market.
Language proficiency is one of the six selection factors for skilled workers. Yo
u will be awarded up to 24 points for your basic, moderate or high abilities in
English and French. You will be given points based on your ability to:
listen;
speak;
read; and
write.
Your First and Second Official Languages:
If you have some abilities in both the English and French language, decide which
language you are more comfortable using. This is your First Official Language.
The other is your Second Official Language.
Language ability documentation
If you are claiming language skills on your application, you must provide conclu
sive proof of your language skills. You must choose one of two options to do thi
s. You can:
take a language test by an approved organization; or
provide other written documentation that supports your claim..
CIC strongly recommends that you take a language test from an approved organizat
ion if you are claiming skills in a language that is not your native language.
Six Selection Factors and Pass Mark:back to top
These charts show how points are awarded in the six selection factors.
Factor One: Education
Maximum 25
a) You have a Master's Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or ful
l-time equivalent study
25
b) You have two or more university degrees at the bachelor's level and at least
15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.
22
c) You have a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at lea
st 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
22
d) You have a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor's level and
at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
20
e) You have a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least
14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.
20
f) You have a one-year university degree at the
bachelor's level and at least 13 years of full-time
or full-time equivalent study.
15
g) You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate
or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time
or full-time equivalent study
15
h) You have a one-year diploma, trade certificate
or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent stu
dy.
12
i) You completed high school.

5
Factor Two: Official Languages
Maximum 24
1st Official Language:
High proficiency (per ability)
4
Moderate proficiency (per ability)
2
Basic proficiency (per ability)
1 to maximum of 2
No proficiency
0
Possible maximum (all 4 abilities)
16
2nd Official Language:
High proficiency (per ability)
2
Moderate proficiency (per ability)
2
Basic proficiency (per ability)
1 to maximum of 2
No proficiency
0
Possible maximum (all 4 abilities)

8
Factor Three: Experience
Maximum 21
I year
15
2 years
17
3 years
19
4 years
21
Factor Four: Age
Maximum 10
21 to 49 years at time of application
10
Less 2 points for each year over 49 or under
21
Factor Five: Arranged Employment in Canada
Maximum 10
a) You have a Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) confirmed offer of perma
nent employment
10
b) You are applying from within Canada and have a temporary work permit that is:

i) HRDC confirmed, including sectoral confirmations; or

10
ii) HRDC confirmation exempt under NAFTA, GATS, CCFTA, or significant economic b
enef it (i.e. intra-company transferee).

10
Factor Six: Adaptability
Maximum 10
a) Spouse's or common-law partner's education
3-5
b) Minimum one year full-time authorized work in Canada
5
c) Minimum two years full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada
5
d) Have received points under the Arranged Employment in Canada factor
5
Family relationship in Canada

5
Total
Maximum 100
Pass Marks
75
Will you qualify?
If your score is the same or higher than the pass mark, then you may qualify to
immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker.
If your score is less than the pass mark, you are not likely to qualify to immig
rate to Canada as a Skilled Worker.
You may submit a formal application if you believe that there are factors that w
ould show that you are able to become economically established in Canada.
Principal Applicant: back to top
If you are married or living with a common-law partner, you and your spouse or c
ommon-law partner must decide who will be the principal applicant. The other per
son will be considered the dependant in the applications.
Note: A common-law partner is the person who has lived with you in a conjugal re
lationship for at least one year. Common-law partner refers to both opposite-sex
and same-sex couples.
Working in Canada:back to top
Finding employment in Canada requires planning. You should learn as much as poss
ible about working in Canada before you apply to immigrate. Be aware that there
is no guarantee that you will find a job and be able to work in your preferred o
ccupation.
Note: Credential assessment recognition and licensing are not requirements of th
e application process for immigration. However, you need to be aware of these is
sues when considering applying to immigrate to Canada.
Regulated and Non-regulated professions:
Some professions and trades are regulated in Canada and require licensing. Other
s remain unregulated.
Credential Assessment
A credential assessment is advice on how qualifications from another country com
pare to Canadian qualifications.
This assessment does not guarantee that:
you will be issued a licence to practice by a regulatory body;
your foreign credentials will be accepted by an employer.
A credential assessment will help you understand the Canadian educational system
and assist you with your job search. An employer may require that you prove you
r credentials are equivalent to Canadian standards. You will have to pay an asse
ssment fee for your credential assessment.

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Max Berger PLC, Canadian immigration lawyers