The Federal skilled worker class is point based and confers permanent resident status to applicants who are able to demonstrate an ability to become economically established in Canada. Applicants are assessed under 6 factors and numerous sub factors of assessment providing for 100 points. Individuals with at least one year of continuous full-time employment experience, or the equivalent in part-time employment in one or more “open” occupations, within the 10 years preceding the date of their application and who possess the required settlement funding, may qualify for assessment.

Successful applicants must receive a minimum of 67 points with at least one year of experience within the past 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 Regulations enumerates the factors and allocates the maximum number of units as follows:

Factor	Your Score	Final
EDUCATION		25
LANGUAGE		24
EXPERIENCE		21
AGE		10
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT		10
ADAPTABILITY		10
TOTAL		100

Factor		Your Score	Final
EDUCATION			Max. 25
University Degrees
PhD, or Master's, AND at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			25
Two or more university degrees at the Bachelor's level AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			22
A two-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			20
A one-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			15
Trade or Non-university Certificate or Diploma
A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			22
A two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			20
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			15
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study			12
Secondary School Educational Credential			5
LANGUAGE (Abilities: Speak, Read, Write, Listen)			Max. 24
1st Lang.	High proficiency (per ability)		4
	Moderate proficiency (per ability)		2
	Basic proficiency (per ability)		1 to max. of 2
	No proficiency		0
	Possible maximum (all four abilities)		16
2nd Lang.	High proficiency (per ability)		2
	Moderate proficiency (per ability)		2
	Basic proficiency (per ability)		1 to max. of 2
	No proficiency		0
	Possible maximum (all four abilities)		8
EXPERIENCE (NOC Skill Level O,A,B)			Max. 21
One year			15
Two years			17
Three years			19
Four years			21
AGE			Max. 10
Max. 10 points for:			21-49
Less two points for each year:			over 49 or under 21
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA			Max. 10
HRDC-confirmed permanent offer of employment			10
Applicants from within Canada holding a temporary work permit that is:
Validated by HRDC, including sectoral confirmations			10
Exempt from HRDC validation under international agreements (e.g., NAFTA) or significant benefit (i.e., intra-company transferee)			10
ADAPTABILITY			Max. 10
Spouse's or common-law partner's education			3-5
Minimum one year of full-time authorized work in Canada			5
Minimum two years of full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada			5
Points received under the Arranged Employment factor			5
Family relationship in Canada			5
Total			100

Applicants who do not meet the applicable pass mark may be accepted under the positive discretion provisions of the regulations. This mechanism is used to accept a number of applicants who will be able to successfully settle in Canada yet who do not meet the applicable pass mark. Readers are invited to contact us for additional insight into the modalities for a successful application.