FEDERAL SKILLED WORKERS PRPGRAM

Immigration Lawyers in Toronto Ontario

Canada is ranked one of the best countries in the world in which to live due to its strong, stable economy and exceptionally high quality of life.

Applying for Federal Skilled Worker Status

Federal skilled workers are chosen as permanent residents based on their ability to settle in Canada and take part in Canadas economy. Applicants for federal skilled workers are assessed based on their:
- English and/or French skills,
- education,
- work experience, and
- other factors that have been shown to help them prosper in Canada.

In order to qualify for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa, Canadian Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) applicants must:

- Have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of the 24 eligible occupations; or
- Qualify for Arranged Employment with a Labour Market Opinion and a full-time, permanent job offer from a Canadian employer; or
- Have completed a PhD in Canada, or have completed two years of study in Canada towards a PhD, in both cases at a recognized institution; and
- Pass a minimum threshold of language ability for one of Canada's two official languages (English/French)

In addition, Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) applicants must attain at least 67 points based on Citizenship and Immigration Canada's (CIC) immigration selection factors.

The selection factors are summarized as follows:

- Education: Applicants are awarded up to 25 points.
- Language Skills: Applicants are awarded up to 28 total points (24-first official language, 4-second official language).
- Work Experience: Applicants are awarded up to 15 points for paid skilled work experience acquired in the last 10 years. A minimum of 9 points is required.
- Age: Applicants are awarded up to 12 points.
- Arranged Employment: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.
- Adaptability: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.

In addition to fulfilling eligibility and points requirements, applicants must show that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependants after arrival in Canada. Applicants and their dependants must also undergo medical examinations and security clearances as part of the Canadian immigration application process.

Processing Times

Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) Processing Times vary from one Canadian Immigration Visa office to another.

The Canadian government has made significant investments of time and money to bring down processing times for federal skilled workers down to approximately 12 months or less.