Your application as a skilled worker or professional can only be processed if you meet certain CIC requirements. Only after these criteria are met does the points system apply to your application. Firstly, you must take an official language proficiency test. The language test must be taken at a CIC-designated agency and the results included with your application. Secondly, you must have an offer of arranged employment in Canada or have had one year of continuous full-time paid work experience (or part-time equivalent) in one of the CIC's eligible occupations. Your work experience must have been within the last 10 years in either a managerial position (Skill Type 0), a professional occupation (Skill Level A) or in a technical occupation or skilled trade which is listed on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) list.
There are 6 factors which are taken into account when awarding points to skilled workers. They are: your education; your language ability in English, French or both; your work experience; your age; whether you have arranged employment in Canada and your adaptability. In addition to this you must be able to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your dependents once you arrive in Canada.
You can earn a maximum of 100 points, and the pass mark is 67. Points are awarded as follows: education is worth a maximum of 25 points, depending on your level of education; language proficiency is worth up to 24 points; work experience up to 21 points, depending on the number of years you have been working; age is worth a maximum of 10 points if you are between the ages of 21 and 49; arranged employment up to 10 points and adaptability another 10. Adaptability refers to how easily you might adapt to life in Canada and takes into account whether you have studied or worked in Canada before and whether you have family in Canada.
Investors may immigrate under the Immigrant Investor Program but they must show that they have sufficient business experience, a minimum net worth of C$800,000 and can invest C$400,000 in Canada. Investors also must earn 35 points, which are based on 5 criteria.
Investors are awarded points on similar criteria to skilled workers but with added weight given to business experience, which is worth up to 35 points depending on length of experience. Education, language proficiency and age are all worth the same number of points as skilled workers. There are a possible 100 points but investors only need to score 35.
Those who wish to immigrate under the Entrepreneur Program must have at least two years of business experience and a net worth of C$300,000. They must also meet medical requirements and undergo security and criminal checks before the points system is applied.
Like investors, entrepreneurs need only earn a minimum of 35 points out of a possible 100 to qualify, and points are weighted more toward business experience. Entrepreneurs can earn points in other areas, such as education, age and language proficiency, as well.
The most important thing for self-employed people who wish to immigrate to Canada is that they have relevant experience at a world-class level in cultural activities, athletics or farm management. If they meet these criteria and pass medical, security and criminal checks, the points system is applied.
Points are weighted toward relevant experience, although other factors such as age, education, language proficiency and adaptability are taken into account. Like investors and entrepreneurs, self-employed people only need 35 points out of a possible 100 to qualify.
