The Canadian Skilled Worker Program allows skilled migrants to become permanent residents and is the most popular Visa option for migrants seeking to establish themselves permanently in Canada and obtain permanent residence.
Between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012,a maximum of 10,000 complete Federal Skilled Worker applications will be considered for processing. Within the 10,000 cap, a maximum of 500 Federal Skilled Worker applications per eligible occupation will be considered for processing within this same time frame.
Canada is looking for skilled migrants with transferable skills, particularly migrants with experience and training in their respective fields as well as proficiency in English and/or French seeking to establish a new life. You do not require a job offer to apply for this Visa.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Canada uses a points-based system which allows applicants who meet or exceed the pass mark to qualify for the Canadian Skilled Worker Visa. Currently, the pass mark has been set at 67 points. Your application will be judged on criteria including education, work experience, proficiency in English and/or French ability, your age, and your ability to adapt to life in Canada. As well, you must either have an offer of arranged employment for Canada, or be currently living in Canada as a foreign worker or student, or be employed in one of the high-demand occupations( New Instructions on Processing Federal Skilled Workers on Friday, July first, 2011). In addition, you must meet certain criminal and medical requirements.
The selection factors are summarized as follows:
• Education: Applicants are awarded up to 25 points.
• Language Skills: Applicants are awarded up to 24 points.(According to CIC rules the main applicant must include International English Language Testing System (IELTS) results for english abilities and Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) for french abilities with their application so that points for the language section may be awarded. No other method of indicating linguistic abilities will be accepted.
• Work Experience: Applicants are awarded up to 21 points for paid work experience acquired in the last 10 years. A minimum of 15 points is required.
• Age: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.
• Arranged Employment: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.
• Adaptability: Applicants are awarded up to 10 points.
In addition to meeting the above criteria, applicants must show that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependants after arrival in Canada.
Total Number of Applications processed to date
There is a cap applied to the number of Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) applications that will be processed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
Processing Times
Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) Processing Times vary from one Canadian Immigration Visa office to another.
Processing Fees
Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) Government Processing Fees vary with exchange rates.
The 29 high-demand occupations Federal Skilled Workers List
-Restaurant and Food Service Managers
- Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
- Professional Occupations in Business Services to
Management
- Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
- Biologists and Related Scientist
- Architects
- Specialist Physicians
- General Practitioners and Family Physicians
- Dentists
- Pharmacists
- Physiotherapists
- Registered Nurses
- Medical Radiation Technologists
- Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
- Licensed Practical Nurses
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Chefs
- Cooks
- Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
- Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
- Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
- Industrial Electricians
- Plumbers
- Welders & Related Machine Operators
- Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
- Crane Operators
-Drillers & Blasters — Surface Mining, Quarrying &
Construction
- Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
Our Free Eligibility Assessment is designed to instantly determine if you are eligible to apply for this Program.
