Requirements for Skilled Worker Eligibility
In order to be considered for the FSW program, a foreign worker must have ONE of the following:
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
Qualified for Arranged Employment with a Labor Market Opinion and a full-time, permanent job offer from a Canadian employer
Completed a PhD in Canada, or have completed two years of study in Canada towards a PhD, in both cases at a recognized institution
In addition, the applicant must prove an ability to speak either English or French
How are Skilled Worker Applicants Evaluated?
In addition to the work requirements, applicants are assessed on a number of different “factors” about their personal circumstances and are awarded “points” for each factor. Applicants are than evaluated on the six selection factors which determine their ability to adjust to the Canadian economy.
6 Selection Factors for Assessing Applicant's Eligibility
their education
their abilities in English and / or French, Canada’s two official languages
their work experience
their age
whether they have arranged employment in Canada,
and their adaptability.
An applicant must score 67 points out of a possible 100 to be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. Individuals must also show that they have enough money to support themselves and their dependents after they arrive in Canada.
If the immigration officer is satisfied that you in fact meet the requirement, you will be asked to attend the local immigration office to pick up your card. You will have 180 days from the notice of the letter to pick up your new card. It is no longer required that you submit your old PR card with the application. Instead, CIC now requires that you bring your old card to the local immigration office at the time you are ready to pick up your new card. This is a welcomed change as it allows permanent residents to travel abroad and return to Canada as long as they have a valid PR card, while their application for renewal is in process in Canada.
How Do I Calculate My Points?
Generally speaking, the process to renew a PR may take a few weeks. It is therefore advisable that you renew your card well in advance of the expiry, especially if you expect to travel outside of Canada. CIC recommends that you file an application for renewal two months prior to expiry.
What If I Don't Get Enough Points to Qualify?
It is important to note that if an applicant scores below sixty-seven (67) points, he / she may still be approved in cases where the immigration officer assessing the case exercises positive discretion in the applicant’s favor. The Immigration Regulations permit an immigration officer to exercise positive discretion if the officer is of the opinion that it is likely that the applicant will economically establish himself / herself in Canada.
Beware, however, that the Immigration Regulations also gives an immigration officer the power to exercise negative discretion in cases where the applicant scores 67 points or above if the officer forms the opinion that the applicant will unlikely economically establish himself / herself in Canada.
