Point System Federal System Visa Fee Student Visa   Visitor Visa

New Point system was introduced on 28th of June 2002 and here's how the grid looks.

NEW SELECTION SYSTEM FOR INDEPENDENT IMMIGRANTS

FACTOR

Final

EDUCATION

Maximum 25
University Degrees
PhD, or Master's, AND at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

25
Two or more university degrees at the Bachelor's level AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

22
A two-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

20
A one-year university degree at the Bachelor's level AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

15
Trade or Non-university Certificate or Diploma
A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

22
A two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

20
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

15
A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship AND at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study

12
Secondary School Educational Credential

5

LANGUAGE

Maximum 24
1st Lang. High proficiency (per ability1)

4
Moderate proficiency (per ability)

2
Basic proficiency (per ability)

1 to max. of 2
No proficiency

0
Possible maximum (all four abilities)

16
2nd Lang. High proficiency (per ability)

2
Moderate proficiency (per ability)

2
Basic proficiency (per ability)

1 to max. of 2
No proficiency

0
Possible maximum (all four abilities)

8
EXPERIENCE

Maximum 21
One year

15
Two years

17
Three years

19
Four years

21
AGE

Maximum 10
Maximum 10 points for:

21-49
Less two points for each year:

over 49 or
under 21
ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT IN CANADA

Maximum 10
HRDC-confirmed permanent offer of employment

10
Applicants from within Canada holding a temporary work permit that is:
  • Validated by HRDC, including sectoral confirmations

10
  • Exempt from HRDC validation under international agreements (e.g., NAFTA) or significant benefit (i.e., intra-company transferee)

10
ADAPTABILITY

Maximum 10
Spouse's or common-law partner's education

3-5
Minimum one year of full-time authorized work in Canada2

5
Minimum two years of full-time authorized post-secondary study in Canada2

5
Informal job offer in Canada

0
Points received under the Arranged Employment factor

5
Family relationship in Canada2

5
TOTAL
Maximum 100

Official Language Testing

The best way to provide proof of language skills is to take a language proficiency test given by an organization approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). If you do so, you will be able to see exactly how many points you will receive for the language factor according to your test results.

You Must:

  • Make arrangements for testing by an approved organization. You will have to pay the costs.
  • Include the results of your test with your immigration application.

What Happens Next:

  • You can use the equivalency charts to see exactly how many points you will earn based on your test results.
  • The test results will be used by CIC as conclusive proof of your language skills.
  • You can use language test results for one year from the time you took the test.

Approved Language Tests

You can arrange to take a language test from any of the following approved organizations:

English Tests

French Tests

What Happens If you do not take the test:

If you choose not to take an approved language test, an officer from Citizenship and Immigration Canada will look at the evidence you include with your application.

  • Your submission must satisfy the officer that your language skills meet the benchmarks for the level you are claiming.
  • The officer does not have to ask you for more evidence so include as much evidence and documentation with your application as you can.
  • The officer will not interview you to assess your language skills.
  • The officer will award points for your language ability based on what you send with your application. You will not know how many points the CIC Officer gives you for your language skills or if the CIC Officer is satisfied that you have clearly demonstrated the level of language skills you claim on your application.

Note: We strongly recommend that you take an official language test if you are claiming skills in a language that you have not used from birth.