Applying as an
Independent Immigrant

Most independent immigrants are skilled workers, who are expected to have the skills, education, work experience, language ability and other qualities needed to participate in the Canadian labour market. The selection criteria, known as the "point" system, focus on occupation, education and training, experience, age, and knowledge of English and/or French. Bonus points are given if relatives in Canada are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The visa officer will give points for personal suitability.

Immigrants to Quebec must meet selection criteria set by that province. For more information, please see the web site for Quebec immigration. The federal government is still responsible for medical examinations and background checks.

 
How do I know if I might qualify?

Skilled workers must obtain a minimum of 70 points. The self-assessment guide which comes with the application kit for independent immigrants will help you evaluate your chances of success. Remember that the processing fee is not refundable, so if you appear unlikely to qualify, you may decide not to apply.

Here are the factors assessed and the maximum points for each

 
Selection Criteria

 

FACTOR	MAX.
Age	10	You will get the maximum of 10 if you are between 21 and 44. If you are under 18 or older than 48, you will get zero for age. If you are 18 or 47, you score only 4 points for age.
Education	16	You must have completed secondary school to get any points for education. Secondary school completion may give you 5 or 10 points, depending on the level of the program. For instance, if your secondary diploma would allow you to enter university, it is worth 10 points. A non-university post-secondary diploma may be worth 10 or 13 points, depending on the level. You may get 15 points for a university degree requiring at least three years of full-time study. The maximum of 16 is granted for a post-secondary degree.
Education/Training Factor	18	This refers to the level of training required for your occupation, and is shown on the General Occupations List. For example, a petroleum engineer may get 17 for ETF, but an oil and gas drilling labourer gets only 2.
Occupation	10	The points for occupation are shown on the General Occupations List. If your occupation is not on the list, you will not qualify for immigration unless you have arranged employment.
Arranged Employment	10	This refers to a job offer validated or approved by a Human Resource Centre in Canada.
Experience	8	You must have at least one year of experience in your occupation to qualify. The points given for experience are calculated based on the years you have worked in the job and the Education/Training Factor for your occupation.
Language Ability	15	This assesses your knowledge of English and French, the two official languages of Canada. The guide will help you assess the points you might get, depending on whether you speak, read and write English and/or French fluently, well or with difficulty. If you speak, read and write both English and French fluently, you get 15 points. If you speak read and write only English or French, but have no or little knowledge of the other, you are entitled to 9 points. You get zero if you have no knowledge of either language or your knowledge is considered "with difficulty".
Demographic Factor	8	This number is set by the federal government.
Personal Suitability	10	This refers to your ability to settle successfully in Canada, based on such qualities as adaptability, motivation and initiative. At the interview, the visa officer assesses personal suitability and awards points, usually between 5 and 7. It is extremely rare to get 10 points for personal suitability.
Relative in Canada	5	You get 5 bonus points as an assisted relative if you have a brother, sister, mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew living in Canada as a permanent resident or Canadian citizen. You need proof of the relationship and of the relative's status in Canada.

What occupations are in demand?

To see if your skills are needed in Canada, check the General Occupations List. If your occupation is not on the list, you will not qualify, unless you have arranged employment. If an occupation is not on the list, it usually means that there are enough Canadians qualified in that occupation to meet the demands of the labour market.

It is important to remember that even if your occupation is on the list, that is no guarantee of employment in Canada. Labour market needs can change. You may not meet Canadian standards for your occupation and may need upgrading.

Some professions such as engineers require applicants to meet standards set by a professional body or association, which may be different in each province. Check to see if this applies to your profession and which association you should contact. For example, an engineer should contact the Canadian Council for Professional Engineers for an evaluation of qualifications.

 
Will I need an interview?

You may be asked to attend an interview, where a visa officer will evaluate your qualifications, language ability, personal suitability and so on. In some cases, applications may be accepted, or refused, without an interview.

 
How much money will I need to go to Canada?

The Canadian government does not provide financial assistance to independent immigrants, who are expected to be self-supporting. You may not find a job quickly and will need to take enough funds to settle in Canada and support yourself and your family. You will be asked to show that you have transferable funds of at least $10,000 (Canadian) for yourself plus $2,000 for each dependent.

For more information on life in Canada, please see Living in Canada.

 
Other Links

• Human Resources Development Canada
• Industry Canada
• Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
• Provincial governments