Canada Immigration Eligibility
Canada chooses immigrants who have skills and abilities that allow them to immediately enter the Canadian labour market.
The eligibility criteria are based on the degree of institutions, command of official languages (English and French), years of work experience, years of work experience in Canada (if available), and obtaining a certificate job offer and the nomination of a province.
Each of the criteria indicated allows the candidate to obtain points that will make their profile more attractive.
Meanwhile, the foreigners who are chosen to participate in the Express Entry system are those whose profiles have achieved the highest possible score.
The Federal Canada Points System
This eligibility method is also known as the Points System, officially called the Comprehensive Ranking System.
This global classification system is the evaluation method for foreign candidates interested in immigrating to Canada, either under the Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience program or the provincial nomination programs.
Meanwhile, it is recommended that you carry out a self-assessment, to confirm that you have the minimum score required to immigrate to Canada before the request must be formally made through the Express Entry system and the comprehensive Points System.
Score Key Factors to Be Considered
The score will be assigned based on four key factors:
- Skills and experience: the candidate’s education, age, language skills and Canadian work experience (if any) are assessed.
- Spouse or common-law partner: the education, language skills and work experience of the candidate’s partner are evaluated.
- Transfer Skills: Education, foreign work experience, and Canadian work experience are evaluated in combination. This is because the combination of these factors is believed to favour the candidate’s ability to be selected by a Canadian employer.
- Additional factors: the fact that the candidate has a nomination from a province or territory, a valid job offer or a Canadian diploma is taken into account.
Each of these factors will grant a maximum rating (score) that will be assigned as follows;
- Skills and Experience Factor
- Married or Partner Candidate – Maximum 460 Pts.
- Single Candidate – Maximum 500 Pts.
- Spouse or Partner Factor
- Married or Partner Candidate – Maximum 40 pts.
- Single Candidate – 0 pts.
- Transfer Skills Factor
- Married or Partner Candidate – Maximum 100 Pts.
- Single Candidate – Maximum 100 Pts.
- Additional Factors
- Married or Partner Candidate – Maximum 600 Pts
- Single Candidate – Maximum 600 Pts
Total Pts. for Married or Partner Candidate – 1200 Pts
Total Pts. for Single Candidate – 1200 Pts
Table for the Calculation of the Points
The following describes in detail the table of the Canadian Express Entry Points System (known in English as the “Comprehensive Ranking System”), suitable for individually estimating the points that can be added to a candidate’s profile.
You can print this page as a guide, to do a first self-assessment exercise;
- Skills and Experience Factor
AGE
(Maximum 100 points for married or with a partner and 110 points for single candidates).
| Age | Points for married | Single points |
| 17 years or younger | 0 | 0 |
| 18 years | 90 | 99 |
| 19 years | 95 | 105 |
| 20 to 29 years | 100 | 110 |
| 30 years | 95 | 105 |
| 31 years | 90 | 99 |
| 32 years | 85 | 94 |
| 33 years | 80 | 88 |
| 34 years | 75 | 83 |
| 35 years | 70 | 77 |
| 36 years | 65 | 72 |
| 37 years | 60 | 66 |
| 38 years | 55 | 61 |
| 39 years | 50 | 55 |
| 40 years | 45 | 50 |
| 41 years | 35 | 39 |
| 42 years | 25 | 28 |
| 43 years | 1 | 17 |
| 44 years | 5 | 6 |
| 45 years or older | 0 | 0 |
Total points for age: ________
LEVEL OF SCHOOLING
(Maximum 140 pts. for Candidates married or with a partner and 150 pts. For Single).
A comparative evaluation of studies carried out abroad (“Educational Credential Assessment”) is required by the Canadian authorities.
| Education | Points for married | Single points |
| Incomplete secondary studies | 0 | 0 |
| High
School Diploma (Baccalaureate) |
28 | 30 |
| Post-secondary studies diploma (1 year of study) | 84 | 90 |
| Post-secondary studies diploma (2 years of study) | 91 | 98 |
| Post-secondary studies diploma (3 years of study) | 112 | 120 |
| Two or more post-secondary education diplomas and at least one of these credentials were issued upon completion of a program of study of three years or more. | 119 | 128 |
| Masters or university professional degree. (Qualifications issued under an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification or National Occupational Classification, NOC, at Level “Ability A” are accepted as a professional university degree, for which the granting of a license by part of a provincial regulatory body. | 126 | 135 |
| Doctorate | 140 | 150 |
Total points by level of education: ________
SKILL WITH THE ENGLISH AND FRENCH LANGUAGES
(Maximum 150 points for married and 160 points for singles)
It is recommended that, before evaluating English and French language skills, you first determine which of the two is best handled.
The one chosen in the first instance receives the denomination of “first official language”. The one with which the applicant feels least comfortable will be the “second official language”.
Points are assigned according to the applicant’s abilities to read, write, understand and speak in English and French, under the criteria of the Canadian Level of Language Proficiency, expressed in the acronym CLB for “Canadian Language Benchmark” or NCLC.
Calculate points per language:
| MARRIED OR PARTNER CANDIDATE | ||||
| First official language | Talk | Hear | to write | Read |
| Less than 4 CLB * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 or 5 CLB | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 6 CLB | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 CLB | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| 8 CLB | 22 | 22 | 22 | 22 |
| 9 CLB | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
| 10 CLB | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| –Maximum possible for the 4 skills in the first language: 128 points. | ||||
| Second Official Language | Talk | Hear | to write | Read |
| 4 CLB or less | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 CLB or less | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 or 8 CLB or less | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 9 CLB or more | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| -Maximum possible for the 4 skills in the second language: 22 points. | ||||
| Maximum possible total for a candidate with a partner for both languages: 150 points | ||||
Total points for language skills for married candidate: ________
| SINGLE CANDIDATE | ||||
| First Official Language | Talk | Hear | to write | Read |
| Less than 4 CLB * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 or 5 CLB | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 6 CLB | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 7 CLB | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| 8 CLB | 2. 3 | 2. 3 | 2. 3 | 2. 3 |
| 9 CLB | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 |
| 10 CLB | 3. 4 | 3. 4 | 3. 4 | 3. 4 |
| –Maximum possible for the 4 skills in the first language: 136 points. | ||||
| Second Official Language | Talk | Hear | to write | Read |
| 4 CLB or less | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 CLB or less | one | one | one | one |
| 7 or 8 CLB or less | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 9 CLB or more | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| -Maximum possible for the 4 skills in the second language: 24 points. | ||||
| Maximum possible total for a single candidate for both languages: 160 points | ||||
Total points for command of languages for single candidate: ________
WORK EXPERIENCE IN CANADA
(Maximum 70 points for a married candidate and 80 points for a single candidate)
This list presents a classification of the professions identified with the letters “O” (managerial areas), “A” (professionals) and “B” (technical trades).
To earn points in this category, you need at least one full year of experience in the listed profession or trade over the past 10 years.
| Canadian experience | Married candidates | Single candidates |
| Less than 1 year | 0 | 0 |
| 1 year | 35 | 40 |
| 2 years | 46 | 53 |
| 3 years | 56 | 64 |
| 4 years | 63 | 72 |
| 5 years | 70 | 80 |
Points for Canadian work experience: _______
- Spouse Or Partner Factor
This factor assesses the skills of the lead candidate’s spouse or partner. Singles are excluded from this assessment.
LEVEL OF EDUCATION OF SPOUSE OR PARTNER
(Maximum 10 points for the married candidate)
| Spouse / Partner’s Education Level | Points For Married / Partner Candidate |
| Incomplete secondary studies
(Baccalaureate) |
0 |
| High School Diploma | 2 |
| Post-secondary studies diploma
(1 year of study) |
6 |
| Post-secondary studies diploma
(2 years of study) |
7 |
| Post-secondary studies diploma
(3 years of study) |
8 |
| Two or more post-secondary education diplomas and at least one of these credentials were issued upon completion of a program of study. | 9 |
| Masters or university professional degree. (Qualifications issued under an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification at Level “Ability A. | 10 |
| Doctorate | 10 |
Total points by educational level of spouse or partner: _______
ABILITY WITH THE SPOUSE OR PARTNER’S ENGLISH OR FRENCH LANGUAGES
(Maximum 20 points for the candidate married or with a partner)
| Ability Of The Spouse Or Partner | Points For The Married Or Partner Candidate | |||
| First official language | Talk | Hear | to write | Read |
| Less than 4 CLB * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 or 6 CLB | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 or 8 CLB | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 9 CLB or more | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| -Maximum possible for the 4 skills in the first language: 20 points. | ||||
* Acronym for “Canadian Language Benchmark”
Total points for spouse or partner’s English or French language proficiency: _______
SPOUSE OR PARTNER CANADIAN WORK EXPERIENCE
(Maximum 10 points for the candidate married or with a partner)
| Canadian Spouse Experience | Points For Married / Partner Candidate |
| Less than 1 year | 0 |
| 1 year | 5 |
| 2 years | 7 |
| 3 years | 8 |
| 4 years | 9 |
| 5 years | 10 |
Total Canadian work experience points for spouse or partner: ______
- Transfer Skills Factor
In this section, points are awarded to the married or single candidate for the combination of the basic factors; educational level, work experience (foreign and in Canada) and command of the official languages of the country.
100 is the maximum score awarded.
The possible combinations are as follows;
| Level Of Studies + Language | Points For The Candidate |
| High school diploma, regardless of language level | 0 |
| Post-secondary level diploma of 1 year or more of studies, and an overall result of CLB level 7, with at least one result lower than CLB level 9 in the use of the official language. | 13 |
| Post-secondary level diploma of 1 year or more, and a score of CLB level 9 or more in each component (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) of the command of the official language. | 25 |
| Two post-secondary level diplomas, one being of 3 years or more of study; and an overall result of CLB level 7, with at least one result below CLB level 9. | 25 |
| Two post-secondary level diplomas, one being three years or more of study; and a score of CLB level 9 or higher in each component (speaking, listening, writing, reading) of the command of the official language. | 50 |
| Education Level + Canadian Work Experience | Points For The Candidate |
| High school diploma, regardless of Canadian work experience. | 0 |
| Post-secondary level diploma of 1 year or more of study and one year of Canadian work experience. | 13 |
| Post-secondary level diploma of 1 year or more of study and at least two years of Canadian work experience. | 25 |
| Two post-secondary level diplomas, with at least one having 3 years or more of studies; and 1 year of Canadian work experience. | 25 |
| Two post-secondary level diplomas, being at least one of 3 years or more of study; and at least two years of Canadian work experience | 50 |
| Foreign Experience + Language | Points For The Candidate |
| Less than one year of foreign work experience, regardless of language level. | 0 |
| 1 or 2 years of foreign work experience; and an overall result of CLB level 7, with at least one result below CLB level 9 in the use of the official language. | 13 |
| 1 or 2 years of foreign work experience; and a score of CLB level 9 or higher in each component (speaking, listening, writing, reading) of the command of the official language. | 25 |
| 3 years of foreign work experience; and an overall result of CLB level 7, with at least one result below CLB level 9 in the use of the official language. | 25 |
| 3 years of foreign work experience; and a score of CLB level 9 or higher in each component (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) of the command of the official language. | 50 |
| Canadian Experience + Foreign Experience | Points For The Candidate |
| Less than one year of foreign work experience, regardless of Canadian experience | 0 |
| 1 or 2 years of foreign work experience; and one year of Canadian work experience. | 13 |
| 1 or 2 years of foreign work experience; and at least 2 years of Canadian work experience. | 25 |
| 3 years of foreign work experience; and one year of Canadian work experience. | 25 |
| 3 years of foreign work experience; and at least 2 years of Canadian work experience. | 50 |
| Certificate In A Trade, Issued By A Province + Language Level | Points For The Candidate |
| Certificate in trade; and a CLB level 5 score in each component (speaking, listening, writing, and reading) of the command of the official language. | 25 |
| Certificate in trade; and a CLB level 7 result in each component (speaking, listening, writing, reading) of the command of the official language. | 50 |
- Additional Factors
The candidate can obtain up to a maximum of 600 points if he has one or two of these three factors:
– a provincial nomination,
– a job offer in Canada,
– a Canadian studies diploma.
| Additional factors | Points for the candidate |
| Provincial nomination | 600 |
| NOC OO level job offer | 200 |
| NOC O, A or B level job offer | 50 |
| Canadian Diploma or Certificate of
1 or 2 years of studies |
15 |
| Canadian diploma or certificate of 3 or more years of study, a professional master’s degree of at least 1 year of study or a doctorate. | 30 |
| French level CLB 7+ (speaking, listening, reading, writing) | 15 |
| French level CLB 7+ (speaking, listening, reading, writing) and English level CLB 5+ (speaking, listening, reading, writing) | 30 |
| Brother or sister residing in Canada or Canadian citizen living in Canada | 15 |
– Maximum possible for the additional factor: 600 points.
Total points for additional factor for married or single candidate: ______
Conclusion
The combination of the first three factors (skills and experience, spouse or partner, and transfer skills) allows reaching a maximum score of 600 points
The candidate can earn up to 600 additional points if they have one or two of three additional factors: a nomination from a province or territory, or a valid job offer and a Canadian diploma.
In total, a candidate can earn a maximum rating of 1,200 points in the Canadian Point System.
