Archive - Applying to immigrate to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker: Beyond the 38 qualifying occupations

Published: 26 August 2009
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When Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Canada (CIMC) Minister Jason Kenney announced the details of the new Action Plan for Faster Immigration, which set new regulations for the Federal Skilled Worker program of Canadian immigration, the focus turned to a list of 38 qualifying occupations that determine a potential applicant’s eligibility to apply to immigrate under this program. However, there are two additional ways to qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker that are not related to the 38 occupations at all.

Under the new regulations, in order to be eligible to have their applications processed, applicants must:

  • Have at least one year of full-time work experience in one of 38 occupations, identified as the current most in-demand occupations in Canada, within the past ten years; OR
  • Have an offer of Arranged Employment in Canada; OR
  • Have been legally residing in Canada for at least one year as a Temporary Foreign Worker or an International Student.

Potential applicants who have an offer of Arranged Employment in Canada but do not have work experience in the 38 qualifying occupations can still apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program as long as they can meet the minimum pass mark of 67 points under the current selection system. They still must have at least one year of work experience in a Skilled, Professional or Managerial occupation, as defined in the National Occupation Classification (NOC).

An individual can also apply to immigrate to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker if he or she has legally lived in Canada for at least one year on a Study Permit or a Temporary Work Permit, has at least one year of full-time work experience in any Skilled, Managerial or Professional occupation within the last ten years, and can meet the minimum pass mark of 67 points.

Take for example, a person who has legally worked in Canada as a semi-skilled worker for at least one year. This worker may be eligible to apply to immigrate under the Federal Skilled Worker program if he or she also has at least one year of full-time work in a Skilled, Managerial or Professional occupation in the last ten years. As well, he or she must meet the minimum pass mark of 67 points under other eligibility criteria such as age, level of education, family in Canada, and language skills. An added benefit of having worked in Canada for a year is that this work experience may entitle the worker to additional points under the Adaptability factor.

The Action Plan Kenney announced late last year is meant to respond to Canada`s social and economic needs, but the requirements may change as the Canadian economy and society evolve.