Canada uses a point system to assess all Independent/Skilled Worker applicants. To be eligible for permanent residence in Canada, you must obtain at least 67 points in the point assessment.

The most important point assessment criteria are related to occupation – that is, what you intend to do for a living in Canada and why you are qualified to do it. Immigration officials will look at your education and training, current and past employment duties, and skills and experience to assess whether you are qualified for Canadian immigration. You will earn significantly more points if you have “Arranged Employment” in Canada. “Arranged employment” means a job offer in Canada that has been approved by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) or that is exempt from HRDC approval.

HOW THE POINTS ARE DETERMINED
There are six factors to consider in pre-determining how many points you should receive:

1. Education
2. Languages (English and/or French)
3. Work Experience
4. Age
5. Arranged Employment in Canada
6. Adaptability (including previous work or study in Canada, arranged employment, relative in Canada and partner’s education)

Below please find an explanation of how the points for each factor are assessed and determined:

EDUCATION FACTOR (maximum 25 points) :
The Education Factor is an assessment of your completed education. A specific number of points corresponds to each level of completed education. For each educational credential, there is a specific number of full-time (or full-time equivalent) years that you must have completed in order to obtain the points that correspond to that education credential* (*consult with Rosenblatt Associates if you did not complete the number of years required).

If you have more than one educational credential, you are assessed by whichever credential results in you being awarded the highest number of points for this factor. (Example: if an applicant has a 3-year college diploma and a 2-year university bachelor’s degree, this applicant should receive 22 points for the diploma instead of 20 points for the degree.)

Use the following chart to determine how many points you should receive for the Education Factor:

LANGUAGE FACTOR (maximum 24 points):
Points for the Language Factor are awarded for high, moderate or basic proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing in English and French, Canada’s two official languages. Your “first official language” should be whichever of these languages you have the best ability in. Your “second official language” should be whichever of these languages you have the lesser ability, or no ability, in.

Click here for descriptions of the different levels of proficiency in English and French.

Once you have determined your level of proficiency in each skill, use the following chart to determine how many points you can claim for the Language Factor:

If claiming points for “first official language”, you will have to submit proof of your abilities in that language. If claiming points for “second official language”, you will also have to provide proof of your abilities in that language.

You can prove your language abilities by:

1. taking an official language test administered by an approved organization; or
2. providing other written documentation to support your claim of abilities in the language.

If neither English nor French is your native language, take an official language test to prove any abilities you claim to have in these languages.

If you don’t take an official language test, the alternative written documentation you provide must clearly show that you meet the level of ability you are claiming (high, moderate or basic proficiency) for speaking, listening, reading and writing in English and/or French. Rosenblatt Associates can advise you of the written documentation you should provide.

WORK EXPERIENCE FACTOR (maximum 21 points)
To be eligible for Canadian permanent residence and to obtain points for the Experience Factor, you must have at least one year of work experience in at least one occupation listed in the National Occupations List (NOC) under the categories of “Skill Type 0 – Management”, “Skill Level A” or “Skill Level B”.

Rosenblatt Associates can advise you whether your work experience falls under Skill Type 0 – Management”, “Skill Level A” or Skill Level B” and what the NOC lists as duties and responsibilities for that occupation.

You will be awarded a set number of points depending on how many years of work experience you have:

*The number of years of work experience are cumulative, must be in the last ten years, and do not have to be in the same occupation. For instance, if you have three years of work experience, you will get 19 points for the Experience Factor even if your three years of work experience is divided between 2 or 3 occupations.

AGE FACTOR (maximum 10 points)
The age you are (or will be) at the time your application is submitted to the consulate is the age that should be used in determining your points for the Age Factor. Use the following chart to determine how many points you should receive for the Age Factor:

ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA FACTOR (maximum 10 points)
You will receive 10 points if you have a job offer in Canada, or if you are currently working in Canada on a valid work permit.

ADAPTABILITY FACTOR (maximum 10 points)
The Adaptability Factor is intended to give you points for things that may enhance your ability to become successfully established in Canada. You may receive points for one or a combination of the following (up to a maximum of 10 points overall):

1. partner’s education
2. previous work in Canada
3. previous study in Canada
4. arranged employment
5. relative in Canada

a) Partner’s Education (3, 4 or 5 points)
If your spouse or common-law partner is accompanying you to Canada, you may receive points for your partner’s education.

Look at the table provided above in the description of the Education Factor. Determine the number of points that your partner’s education corresponds to in that table:

b) Previous Work Experience in Canada (5 points)
If you or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of 1 year of full-time (or full-time equivalent) authorized work in Canada, you may receive 5 points for it under the Adaptability Factor.

c) Previous Study in Canada (5 points)
If you or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of 2 years of full-time (or full-time equivalent) authorized post-secondary study in Canada, you may receive 5 points for it under the Adaptability Factor.

d) Arranged Employment (5 points)
If you receive points for the Arranged Employment Factor (see above), or if your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has arranged employment in Canada, you may also receive 5 points for it under the Adaptability Factor.
(*Note: if it is your spouse or common-law partner who has the job offer, it must meet the criteria of one of the categories listed above in the description of the Arranged Employment Factor).

e) Relative in Canada (5 points)
If you or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has a close relative who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you may receive 5 points for it under the Adaptability Factor. “Close Relative” refers to the following familial relationships: father, mother, grandparent, son, daughter, grandchild, sister, brother, niece, nephew, aunt or uncle. (*Note: only 5 points may be awarded, even if there is more than one close relative in Canada).

*PLEASE NOTE: You may receive no more than 10 points overall for the Adaptability Factor, regardless of how many of the above items you can claim.

SETTLEMENT FUNDS (2006)

Pursuant to R76(1)(b) a visa office will determine if an applicant has sufficient funds available for settlement in Canada. The amount of funds are determined by the number of family members (including both accompanying and non-accompanying dependants). The funds must be available, transferable and unencumbered by debts or other obligations. Applicants that have Arranged Employment (as defined by R82) do not need to meet these financial requirements.

Number of Family Members	Funds Required
1	$10,168
2	$12,659
3	$15,563
4	$18,895
5	$21,431
6	$24,170
7	$26,910