Chapter 11

How to Estimate your Points

 

The Manual Self Assessment Worksheet 

To quickly determine how many points you can get based on your qualifications, use the self assessment worksheet below. 

After studying the factors, you can manually compute your points or you can use our Free Immigration to Canada Points Calculator in Chapter 12.

   Be careful in making your assessment.  If you are not comfortable with your initial assessment, repeat it. Study each and every factor so that you can maximize your points.

 

 

 

As of September 18, 2003, the pass mark for those applying to immigrate to Canada as skilled workers (to all provinces except Quebec), has changed from 75 to 67. This change is effective immediately.

All new skilled worker applicants and those currently in the system who have not yet received a selection decision, will be assessed with a pass mark of 67.

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada may amend the pass mark from time to time. Changes to the pass mark reflect the changes in the Canadian labour market and in the broader economy and society. The pass mark also reflects the changing demands on the part of prospective immigrants to Canada.

 

Factor 1    Education  Maximum 25 Points   

 

Description :

You must have completed secondary school to get any points for education. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of instructions or work training during the academic school year. Full-time equivalent studies means he length of time that it would have taken to complete a program of study on a full-time basis, but was actually completed on a part-time or accelerated basis. 

 

To earn points, you must meet all conditions listed in the description below. For example, if say you completed a Ph.D in only 15 years of full-time equivalent study, you should give yourself only 22 points and not 25 points.   

 

Education Description

Max 25 

Did not graduate from high school  

0

Graduated from high school 

5

Completed a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

12

Completed a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15

Completed a one-year university degree at the bachelor's level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

15

Completed a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20

Completed a two-year university degree at the bachelor's level and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

20

Completed a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22

Completed two or more university degrees at the bachelor's level and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

22

Completed a Master's Degree or Ph.D. and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study.

25

 

 

 

 

Factor 2     Official Languages   Maximum 24 Points  

 

Description :

To assess your English and French ability ( the 2 official languages of Canada), you must first decide which language you are most proficient with. This language will be your first official language. The language you feel less proficient with in communicating is your second official language.

 

Required Proof of Language Proficiency:

If English or French is not the native languages of your country and you claim that you are proficient in any or both of these languages, we highly recommend that you submit additional documents with your application that would support your claim. 

 

Canada Immigration suggested any of the following options to prove your language proficiency in English or French.

  • Take an official language test by an approved organization. Click here.

  • Provide other acceptable written proof that you are proficient in English and/or French. Click here.

 

Description Max 24 
First Language Speak Listen  Read Write
High Proficiency 4 4 4 4
Moderate Proficiency 2 2 2 2
Basic Proficiency 1 1 1 1
Not at All 0 0 0 0
         

Second Language

       
High Proficiency 2 2 2 2
Moderate Proficiency 2 2 2 2
Basic Proficiency 1 1 1 1
Not at All 0 0 0 0

Total Credits = Total Speak + Total Read + Total Write   

 

Factor 3    Work Experience  Maximum 21 Points  

 

Description

You must have at least one-year full time paid work experience in your occupation for you to earn points. Your job needs to be listed in the NOC under the Skill type 0 or Skill Levels A or B. You cannot earn points for any job classified as Restricted. You cannot earn points if your experience did not occur during the last 10 years.

 

Steps:

1. Find the title of any full-time jobs you had in the past 10 years by clicking here.

2. Click on the NOC number for the Job Description. 

3. Read the Job Description. Check the Main Duties. Ask yourself  if  this NOC job description matches your own job description.

4. Add up how many total years of full-time, paid work experience you have in the past 10 years in this occupation. For example, if you have worked 3 years as a Financial Manager, you will get 19 points.

 

Work Experience in Years Max 21
1 15
2 17
3 19
21
 

 

 

 

Factor 4  Age   Maximum 10 Points  

 

Description :

Points are given based on your age at the time that your application is received. Assuming you submitted your application at age 48. Even if your application took 2 years to process, your points will not decrease. Your final points will still be 10.    

 

Age Max 10
16 and below 0
17 2
18 4
19 6
20 8
21-49 10
50 8
51 6
52 4
53 2
54 and over 0
Factor 5  Arranged Employment   Maximum 10 Points  

 

Description:

Points may be awarded to you if you have an arranged employment before you submit your immigration application to the Visa Office.

 

Type of Arranged Employment Max 10
You have a full-time job offer that has been approved by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

10

You are currently working in Canada on a temporary work visa and:
  • Your work permit is valid for 12 or more months after you apply for a permanent resident visa.
  • Your employer has made an offer to give you a permanent job if your application is successful.

10

If you are currently working in Canada in a job that is HRDC validation-exempt or a significant-benefit category (for example, an intra-company transferee) and:
  • Your work permit is valid for 12 or more months after you apply for a permanent resident visa.
  • Your employer has made an offer to give you a permanent job if your application is successful.

 

10

Factor 6 Adaptability Maximum 10 Points  

 

Description :

Points maybe awarded to you based on your and/or your spouse's ability to to easily adjust to the Canadian way of life. The following factors are deemed to influence a person's level of adaptability the life in Canada.

 

Level of Adaptability

Max 10 

Spouse or common-law partner's level of education 

 

Partner's Education Points
Secondary school diploma or less

0

One-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies

3

Two or three-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies

4

Master's Degree or Ph.D and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies

5

 

3-5

Previous study in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, completed a program of full-time study of at least two years' at any post-secondary institution in Canada. You must have done this after you were 17 years old using a valid study permit.

5

Arranged employment
You can claim additional points if you have arranged employment as described in Factor 5: Arranged Employment.
5
Previous work in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner, completed a minimum of one year full-time work in Canada using a valid work permit.
5
Relatives in Canada
You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is residing in as a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.

5