Skilled worker immigrants are chosen for their ability to become successfully established in Canada. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act introduces new selection criteria with more emphasis on applicants' education and such flexible skills as language rather than on their intended occupation.

Effective September 18, 2004, all new skilled worker applicants and those currently in the system who have not yet received a selection decision will be assessed with a pass mark of 67.

REQUIREMENTS

There are two stages in the determination of whether a person qualifies as a skilled worker. THe first stage is an evaluation of whether the applicant meets the "minimum requirements" to be considered a skilled worker. The second stage involves an evaluation of whether the applicant will be able to economically establish in Canada based on an award of units of assessment under the six selection criteria. If the applicant does not meet the minimum requirements in the first stage of assessment, the application is refused and no futher assessment is required.

Stage One: Minimum Requirements

According to Regulation 75, which sets out the minimum requirements Skilled Workers must:

• have at least one year of skilled work experience within the past 10 years in a management occupation or in an occupation normally requiring university, college or technical training as set out under Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).    The skilled worker must not be in an occupation that is designated a "restricted occupation". At the present time there are no occupations listed as restricted.
• have enough money to support themselves and their dependants as they settle in Canada.  This is known as Settlement Funds.

Stage Two: Selection Grid

In addition to the above requirements, applicants are assessed on a variety of selection criteria which evaluate their ability to adapt to the Canadian economy.

Selection Criteria	Maximum Points
Education	25
Official languages (English and/or French)	24
Employment experience	21
Age	10
Arranged employment in Canada	10
Adaptability	10
TOTAL	100

To be considered under the Federal Skilled Worker category, applicants must score a minimum of 67 out of the possible 100 points.

The pass mark may be amended by the Minister to reflect changes in the Canadian labour market, economy and society as well as the changing demands of prospective immigrants to Canada.

FACTOR		Final
EDUCATION		Maximum 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		Maximum 24
1st Lang.	High proficiency (per ability1)	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		Maximum 21
One year		15
Two years		17
Three years		19
Four years		21
AGE		Maximum 10
Maximum 10 points for:		21-49
Less two points for each year:		over 49 or under 21
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA		Maximum 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		Maximum 10
Spouse's or common-law partner's education		3-5
Minimum one year of full-time authorized work in Canada2		5
Minimum two years of full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada2		5
Points received under the Arranged Employment factor		5
Family relationship in Canada2		5
TOTAL		Maximum 100