Skilled Worker / Independent Class Federal Program

Canada’s Federal Immigration Program - Canada’s Point System For Immigration

Under Canada’s immigration selection point system an applicant must attain a specific number of points based on several selection criteria including: education, work experience, intended occupation, language skills, age and personal suitability. Applicants must presently score a minimum of 67 points.

Recent Changes to Canada’s Federal Immigration Program

Canada’s guidelines for the admission of Skilled Professionals for permanent residence were revised significantly in November of 2008. At that time, Ministerial Guidelines were released, which impact all individuals who submitted an application prior to February of 2008.

How Do The New Ministerial Guidelines For Canadian Permanent Residence Impact My Application?

The Ministerial Guidelines mandate that, aside from passing the current immigration selection point system, an applicant must also qualify under additional steps. Specifically, an applicant must (1) fall within a restricted list of 38 preferred occupations, or (2) possess an Arranged Employment Opinion approved by Service Canada, or (3) have legally studied or worked in Canada for at least one year and continue to reside legally in Canada. Only applicants who meet one of the above criteria can be considered for assessment under the points system for immigration.

What Is The Current Restricted List Of 38 Preferred Occupations?

The current list of 38 preferred occupations is as follows:

• Financial Managers
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Managers in Health Care
• Restaurant and Food Service Managers
• Accommodation Service Managers
• Construction Managers
• Financial Auditors and Accountants
• Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists
• Mining Engineers
• Geological Engineers
• Petroleum Engineers
• Specialist Physicians
• General Practitioners and Family Physicians
• Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physiotherapists
• Head Nurses and Supervisors
• Registered Nurses
• Medical Radiation Technologists
• Licensed Practical Nurses
• University Professors
• College and Other Vocational Instructors
• Chefs
• Cooks
• Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades
• Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
• Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews
• Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)
• Industrial Electricians
• Plumbers
• Steamfitters, Pipe fitters and Sprinkler System Installers
• Welders and Related Machine Operators
• Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
• Crane Operators
• Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction
• Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying
• Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service
• Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities

The list of priority occupations mentioned above is projected to change on an annual basis to reflect Canada’s labour market needs. Contact the Bomza Law Group at 1-800-993-9971 for a full assessment to ensure that you meet the new Ministerial Guidelines prior to submitting your application for immigration to Canada.

What Is An Arranged Employment Opinion?

An Arranged Employment Opinion consists of an offer of full-time employment from a Canadian company. In Canada, an employer may offer a job to a foreign skilled worker to fill a full-time, permanent position in the Canadian company and bring needed skills to Canada. An Arranged Employment Opinion will also assist a foreign skilled worker applicant to gain permanent residency in Canada. No advertising and recruitment efforts are required for an Arranged Employment Opinion application.

An Arranged Employment Opinion is based on the following factors:

• The job offer is permanent
• The job offer is genuine
• The wages and working conditions offered are comparable to those offered to other Canadians working in that occupation
• The employment is full-time and not seasonal.

Contact Us

For further information regarding Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Arranged Employment Opinion Process or to find out if you qualify to apply for Canadian permanent residence pursuant to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, we invite you to contact our experienced Canadian immigration lawyers by calling the Bomza Law Group at 1-800-993-9971 or by clicking on the “Contact Us” button.