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Skilled Worker/Independent
Class
To sustain
its population growth, offset declining birth rates, an aging
population and fill specific skill shortages, Canada is looking
to attract skilled migrants to sustain future economic growth.
This category is for people interested in obtaining permanent
residence based on their ability to become economically established
in Canada.
In June 2002, Canada's 25-year old Immigration
Act was replaced by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
(IRPA). The recent changes highlight an emphasis on education,
language proficiency, previous stays in Canada, and the transferable
skills which can be applied to the Canadian workforce. In 2004,
133,746 new permanent residents were welcomed under the economic
class.
Skilled Workers are economic migrants who are
allowed entry into Canada, as permanent residents as they are
deemed to have the required profile and credentials to become
economically established in Canada.
There are several different programs available
under the Skilled Worker Program:
Federal Skilled Worker
Program
In the Independent/Skilled Worker
Class, a skilled worker is someone who has at least one (1) year
of paid full-time (37.5 hours per week or more) work experience
within the past ten (10) years in one of the occupations listed
in either Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational
Classification (NOC). The NOC was developed by Human Resources
Development Canada to be a systematic cataloging of occupations
in the Canadian labour market. The NOC is divided into five (5)
bands:
| Skill
Type 0 - |
Management Occupations; |
| Skill
Level A |
which is primarily
comprised of professional occupations; |
| Skill
Level B |
which consists of
technical, skilled trades and paraprofessional occupations; |
| Skill
Level C |
which comprises
occupations that mainly consist of intermediate level, clerical
or supportive functions; |
| Skill
Level D |
which consists of
elemental sales or service and primary labourer occupations. |
Only experience in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels
A and B are considered relevant for applicants in the Independent/Skilled
Worker Class.
To immigrate in the Independent/Skilled Worker
Class, the experience in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A and B
must consist of actions described in the lead description and
a substantial number of the duties described in the Main Duties
section of the NOC, including all the essential duties.
Assuming that they meet the aforementioned prerequisites,
applicants are then assessed according to various selection criteria
by Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials and applicants
must attain a minimum score of sixty-seven (67) points overall
in order to be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada.
These selection criteria are as follows:
| 1. Education: |
Maximum |
25 Points |
| 2. Official Languages: |
Maximum |
24 Points |
| 3. Experience: |
Maximum |
21 Points |
| 4. Arranged Employment: |
Maximum |
10 Points |
| 5. Age: |
Maximum |
10 Points |
| 6. Adaptability: |
Maximum |
10 Points |
| |
| TOTAL POINTS: |
Maximum |
100 Points |
| |
| POINTS
REQUIRED TO PASS: |
67 Points |
Quebec Skilled Worker Program
Applications under this option, are initially
processed by the relevant Quebec Immigration Office(SIQ). The
Québec provincial government and Canadian federal governments
share jurisdiction with respect to immigration. Québec
is exclusively responsible for selecting immigrants wishing to
settle within its territory and who will enter the labour market.
Upon approval, applicants are initially granted a Certificate
of selection from Quebec(CSQ). After issuance of a CSQ, an immigration
officer will assess your application based on Canadian health
and security requirements and regulations. To qualify under this
program, you (or your partner) mu st satisfy the prerequisites
of one of the three programs for workers established by the Québec
government.
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