Canada's skilled worker program for permanent residence was re-opened on May 4, 2013 after several months of being suspended.

The skilled worker category has been the cornerstone of Canada's economic immigration program for decades but in recent years had built up a backlog of nearly one million applications that were often taking in excess of five years to process.

The newly re-introduced skilled worker program is designed to shift emphasis from education and foreign work experience to language proficiency and Canadian work experience with the goal of enhancing an immigrant's ability to integrate into the Canadian workplace more quickly.

The skilled worker category has always been based on a point score for various selection criteria with applicants needing to score a minimum of 67 points out of 100. While the selection criteria remain the same, the points allocated for each criteria have changed. 

 

Language

 

Language is now the single most important factor under the skilled worker criteria with the maximum available points increasing from 24 points to 28 points for demonstrating proficiency in one or both of Canada's two official languages - English and French.

 

Age

 

Canada Immigration is seeking younger skilled workers. The age range shifts downwards to 18 - 36 from a previous range of 21-49. The point allocation also increases from 10 points for age to a total of 12.

 

Education

 

The maximum points remain the same for the education criteria, however, the allocation of points for various education levels changes. Fifteen points are awarded for a one year post secondary credential, 19 points are awarded for a 2 year post secondary credential, 21 points are awarded for a post secondary program of 3 years or more, and 22 points are awarded for 2 or more post secondary credentials with at least one of them being 3 years or more.

 

Work Experience

 

Points decrease for work experience from 21 to 15 points for previous work experience and the range of experience necessary to earn points is increased with 9 points being awarded for one year of experience, 11 points being awarded for 2-3 years of experience, 13 points being awarded for 4-5 years of experience and 15 points being awarded for six or more years of work experience.

 

Arranged Employment

 

It is now necessary to apply to Service Canada for a Labour Market Opinion ( LMO) which can be used to obtain a work permit as well as to apply for permanent residence. 

 

Adaptability

 

The maximum score of 10 remains the same, but the basis for scoring the points shifts dramatically. Significant emphasis has been given to Canadian work experience with a full 10 points being awarded for one year of work experience in Canada. Applicants can also earn a combination of 5 points for previous study in Canada by either themselves or their spouses, previous work experience in Canada of their spouse, or having a close relative in Canada of at least 18 years of age.

 Catherine Sas (csas@millerthomson.com) is a practicing immigration lawyer based in Vancouver. For more information go to  www.canadian-visa-lawyer.com.