SIT Immigration Canada

Skilled workers are people who may become permanent residents because they are able to become economically established in Canada.

Minimum Work Experience Requirements
You must meet the following minimum work experience requirements to allow you to apply as a skilled worker:

· You must have at least one year of full-time work experience. You must have been paid for this work.

· Your work experience must be in the category of Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC). (See below for instructions.)

National Occupation Classification (NOC)
The NOC is a classification system for jobs in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills, talents and work settings for occupations.

Determine Your NOC Category
Follow these steps to see if your work experience meets the requirements to apply as a skilled worker.

Note: After checking the external Web sites mentioned in each step below, press the back button on your Web browser to return to this Web page.


1	Find the title of any full-time jobs you had in the past 10 years using National Occupation Classification list. This is a list of all jobs that are in Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or B on the NOC. Write down the four-digit code located to the left of your job's title.

2	Go to the NOC Web site and type your four-digit job-code in the "Quick Search" box. Make sure you press the "GO" button. A description of your occupation will appear. Make sure the description and "Main Duties" describe what you did at your last jobs. Note: you do not have to meet the "Employment Requirements" listed in the description. If the initial description and list of main duties matches what you did at your last jobs, you can count this experience as when you apply as a skilled worker. You can also earn points in Factor 3 of the Selection Factors. If the description does not match your work experience then you might not have the experience you need to apply as a skilled worker. Look through the NOC list to see if another occupation matches your experience. Check all of the jobs you had in the past 10 years to see if you have at least one year of work experience in a job that will qualify you as a skilled worker.

3	Check the list of restricted occupations. If your work experience is in a restricted occupation then you cannot use it to qualify for the Skilled Worker category. Note: There are no restricted occupations published by CIC at this time

If you do not meet the minimum work experience requirements, your application as a Skilled Worker will be refused.

Proof of Funds Requirement
You must have enough money to support your family for six months after you arrive in Canada. Check to see if you meet the financial requirements.

Language Skills
Language skills are an important factor in the selection process. Points are given for your ability in one or both of Canada's official languages, English and French. Learn about the:

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

The Regulations grants the visa officer an overriding discretion to grant Canadian permanent residency, notwithstanding the fact that a skilled worker may have less than 67 points.

"Whether or not the skilled worker has been awarded the minimum number of required points, an officer may substitute for the criteria set out in subsection (1) their evaluation of the likelihood of the ability of the skilled worker to become economically established in Canada if the number of points awarded is not a sufficient indicator of whether the skilled worker may become economically established in Canada".

Following June 28, 2002 an application for a Permanent Resident Visa may still be submitted to any Visa Office at which an applicant wishes. When choosing an offshore office, however, there are numerous factors which need to be considered; including the general necessity that an interview be attended at such.

The skilled worker and his family must undergo a medical examination by a Designated Medical Practitioner, and pass a background check conducted by Canadian security agencies, independently from the immigration authorities.