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[ SKILLED WORKERS AND PROFESSIONALS ]

Skilled workers are selected as permanent residents based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help them become economically established in Canada.

All the information and forms you need to apply as a federal skilled worker are here. Note: The province of Quebec is responsible for selecting its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information.

The rules for applying as a federal skilled worker can change from time to time without notice, so make sure you visit this site regularly if you are considering immigrating to Canada under this category.

> WHO CAN APPLY ?

Skilled workers are people who are selected as permanent residents based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. 

Federal skilled worker applications are assessed for eligibility according to the criteria set out below.

For your application to be eligible for processing, you must:

• include the results of your official language proficiency test, AND
• have a valid offer of arranged employment, OR
• have one year of continuous full-time paid work experience in at least one of the occupations listed here.

Work experience minimum requirements

If your application is eligible for processing, it will then be assessed against minimum requirements.

Your work experience must be:

• for at least one year, continuous, and paid (full-time or the equivalent in part-time), AND
• Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the CanadianNational Occupational Classification (NOC) list, AND
• within the last 10 years.

If you meet the above minimum requirements, your application will be processed according to the six selection factors in the skilled worker points grid , which are:

• your education
• your abilities in English and/or French, Canada’s two official languages
• your work experience
• your age
• whether you have arranged employment in Canada, and
• your adaptability.

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada.

> HOW TO APPLY

If you apply to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, your application will be processed based on regulations that are in effect on the date that you apply, even if they change after you apply.

Follow these steps to apply to immigrate to Canada as a federal skilled worker:

1. Obtain and print the correct application package

The application package includes the instruction guide and all the forms you need to fill out. Download and print theFederal Skilled Worker Application Package.

2. Complete your application

• Fill out the forms on your computer, and print them. You cannot save them on your computer. Then, sign the forms where indicated.
• You can also complete the forms by hand. Print clearly, using black ink. You can also use a typewriter.
• Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully. Incomplete application packages will not be processed and will be returned to you.
• You must complete all the forms:
  • Application for Permanent Residence in Canada
  • Schedule 1: Background/Declaration
  • Schedule 3: Economic Classes: Federal Skilled Workers
  • Additional Family Information
  • Use of a Representative. You must complete this form if you want to use a representative to help you apply. Using a representative is a personal choice. Find out more about using immigration representatives.

Note: Be careful to include all the forms, information, documents, signatures, proof of language proficiency, and fees that are asked for. If your application is missing any of these, it is incomplete and will be returned to you unprocessed. 

You must go through medical, criminal and background checks. An applicant with a criminal record may not be allowed to enter Canada. People who pose a risk to Canada’s security are also not allowed to enter Canada. Medical, criminal and background checks are explained in the application package.

You must also take a language test and include your results. Find out more about language testing.

3. Calculate your fees

a) The processing fee for you and your dependants

Who will accompany you to Canada must be submitted when you apply. Information on how to pay your processing fee is included in the instruction guide.

If you are not found eligible to apply, we will inform you and refund your processing fee.

b) The Right of Permanent Residence fee

You will only need to pay this fee if your application to immigrate as a skilled worker is approved. It covers you and your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, if applicable. It must be paid before Citizenship and Immigration Canada issues your permanent resident visa. This fee is refundable if you cancel your application or if you do not use your visa.

You will also have to pay fees to third parties for:

• your medical examination
• a police certificate, if you require one as part of your criminal and security check and
• your language test.

Find out more about fees.

4. Check your application

Make sure that:

• your application and all forms are completed and signed
• your processing fee is included, and
• all required supporting documents are included.

If not, your application will be returned to you and you will have to complete and resubmit it. Use the document checklist included in the application package (Appendix A) to make sure your have not forgotten anything.

5. Submit your application

Mail your application and your fee to the Centralized Intake Office for Federal Skilled Worker Applications in Sydney, Nova Scotia (Canada). For more detailed information, including courier and mailing addresses, consult the federal skilled worker application package.

Do not submit your federal skilled worker application to the visa office responsible for your country of nationality or residence.

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