Emigration to Canada : The Points System
For many hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people around the world, Canadian permanent residence status is a dream. Proper pre-assessment and guidance can make that dream become a reality. This aspect of Canadian immigration law is susceptible to change, and proposals are currently in place to change the criteria affecting selection.
Independent Immigration
The most common method of obtaining Canadian perma nent residence is through what is often referred to as the 'skilled worker system'. Under law enacted 28 June 2002, the following factors are considered in this category:
- Age: maximum points are 10 if aged 21-49, with 2 points deducted for each year above or below.
- Education: maximum points are 25.5 points for secondary education which could lead to higher education, 15 points for most trade school or community college credentials, 20 points for a university degree, and 25 points for a Master's Degree or higher (there are further breakdowns, but these are the most common categories).
- Arranged employment: 10 points if Human Resources Development Canada approves a job offer, or in some cases, if you are currently working in Canada. (This is different from a labour market opinion.)
- First official language: generally this will be English for readers of this guide. 16 points maximum 'with high pro ficiency' in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
- Second official language: generally this will be French, for which a maximum of 8 points is available. (Note: depending on levels of fluency, English and French can be reversed.)
- Experience: maximum 21 for 4 years or more in a field listing in categories 0, A or B of the National Occupation Classfication (NOC).
- Adaptability: this factor is composed of five sub-elements (note that the maximum available is 10 points):
5 points are available for previous study in Canada
5 points are available for previous work in Canada
5 points are available for having a close relative in Canada up to 5 points (of the spouse five points) are available for the educational credential of the spouse of the principal applicant
5 (additional) points for having arranged employment
A total of 67 points must be achieved, subject to the further discretion of the immigration officer to grant visas to those with less than 67 points, or refuse visas to those with more than 67 points.
Furthermore, you must provide evidence of 'settlement funds' - sufficient funds to show that you and any dependants can take care of yourselves for the first few months after arrival in Canada. It is expected that, on average, a family will take six months to settle in, and in particular to find employment and begin active life in Canada.
Note that this is a simple, general form only, as is the information above. You must contact a Canadian Visa Post or appropriate legal adviser for up-to-date information about the issues in an application for permanent residence.
