Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

Federal Skilled Worker Point System

Canada uses a point based system to assess skilled workers. The point system was designed to improve consistency and fairness by reducing discretion and the potential for discrimination in selecting immigrants. Under the point system immigration officers assign points up to a fixed maximum in each several categories. The minister has the authority to set the passing mark. Therefore, the minister can make changes to the passing mark based on changes in the Canadian economic and social landscape.

The point system changes affect the weight and number of points in the selection factor:

As of January 1, 2015 there is no longer a list of qualifying occupations. There used to be a list of fifty qualifying occupations of which you must work full time continuously full time for one year, but with the new start of Express Entry that is no longer the case.

The Federal Skilled Worker program does still exist but now you must apply under the Express Entry. You will require to have worked continuously for a total of 1,560 hours (30 hours per week) full time or part time to the same total of 1,560 hours (either 2 jobs at 30 hours a week, or 15 hours a week over 2 years (24 months)) The job would have to be in the same skill level, and be at the skill level of 0, A, or B according to the National Occupational Classification.