Federal skilled worker program

The federal skilled worker program is designed for skilled foreign workers who want to become permanent residents in Canada. They have to identify an employer who is willing to offer them a permanent job. If they are successful in finding that employer, foreign workers have a better chance to qualify for permanent resident status. This program is designed only for skilled workers – those whose education and experience is at skill level NOC 0, A or B – and who are offered a permanent job in one of those levels.

Temporary foreign workers who want to become permanent residents in Canada must submit their application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada at a Canadian visa post outside of Canada. If they are in Canada at the time of submission of their application, they could submit it to the closest Canadian visa post outside Canada by mail.

A temporary foreign worker working in Alberta has three options, relevant to job offer, when applying for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program:

Option 1. Without a job offer from his/her employer

Under this option a temporary foreign worker submits an application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Class. Applicants are assessed for eligibility to qualify on a point-based selection system with points awarded in factors including education, work experience and knowledge of English and/or French language.

Note: An applicant must obtain at least 67 points, out of a maximum of 100, in order to qualify for this program.

Option 2. With a job offer from his/her current employer

Under this option, the temporary skilled foreign worker may submit an application for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Class and gain points under the Arranged Employment factor if his/her current employer in Canada has made an offer to employ him/her on a permanent basis. A job offer has to be printed on an employer’s letterhead and submitted by the foreign worker as part of his/her application for permanent residence. An applicant may obtain up to 15 points for Arranged Employment factor (10 Arranged Employment points and 5 adaptability points) on the selection system.

Note: An applicant must obtain at least 67 points, out of a maximum of 100, in order to qualify for the program.

Option 3. With a job offer from a different employer

This option allows a skilled foreign worker to submit an application for permanent residence and gain points under the Arranged Employment factor if an employer that is different from his or her current employer has made an offer to employ him or her on a permanent basis and support his/her permanent immigration.

In this case, the employer must first obtain a Labour Market Opinion (LMO) form Service Canada and provide a copy of LMO approval letter (if the job offer is approved) to the foreign worker, who will submit it as part of the application for permanent residence. Foreign worker may obtain up to 15 points on the selection grid.

Note: An applicant must obtain at least 67 points, out of a maximum of 100, in order to qualify for the program.

 

Date Updated: Mar 20, 2009
RDP:665