For someone who wants to migrate to Canada, the amount of information available on the internet can be overwhelming. Most people know about the Comprehensive Ranking System score which is the points system that invitations to apply (ITAs) are based on. However, for foreign skilled workers, there is another layer of eligibility – one that needs to be done FIRST – that should be considered.

              The six selection factors and the components of CRS definitely overlap. Think of it as level progression. You cannot go to level 2 without passing level 1. Everyone can calculate their score with the CRS calculator, but when it comes to creating the Express Entry profile, the system calculates the applicant’s eligibility through the six selection factors first.

              If you intend to apply in the Express Entry – Foreign Skilled Worker (FSW) program, you need to calculate your score in the Six Selection Factors, and the minimum score you need is 67. For FSW hopefuls who try to make an express entry profile and were met with the dreaded “You are not eligible for Express Entry” notification, not meeting the minimum score requirement for the six selection factors is usually the reason.

              In this article, I will discuss the six selection factors points system in detail.

Six Selection Factors

              The six selection factors are as follows: language skills, education, work experience, age, arranged employment, and adaptability.

              Language

              Showing your capability to communicate in Canada’s official languages is important to show that you’d be able to adapt when you migrate to Canada. Of course, you’ll need to take an approved language test to know your score for each skill (listening, speaking, reading and writing). You can get a maximum of 24 points for the first official language (either English or French), and the points is given per skill. The minimum level necessary for the first official language is CLB/NCLC 7.

You can also get a maximum of 4 points for having a second official language if you get at least a CLB 5 in all four abilities.

              Education

              Canada strongly favors educated migrants because their goal is to have a highly skilled workforce, that is why they allocate more points to those applicants with higher educational attainment. For applicants who studied in Canada, the process is straightforward since the certificate, diploma or degree would be considered as stated in the official document. However, if you have foreign education, an Education Credential Assessment for immigration purposes is necessary to know how your education compares to a Canadian education level. The education factor can give a maximum of 25 points. For brevity, I will only mention general education levels:

• Doctoral (PhD) level – 25 points
• Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession – 23 points
• Master’s level – 23 points
• Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees – 22 points
• Bachelor’s degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute – 21 points
• Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute – 19 points
• One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute – 15 points
• Secondary school (high school diploma) – 5 points

You can check out this official website to know more about ECA for express entry.

Work Experience

There are a couple of things to consider to get points for work experience: it should be paid, full time (or its equivalent in part-time), the job must be in a skilled occupation in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 , and it can be done in Canada or abroad, while you were studying, and while being self-employed. You need to identify the NOC code that closely resembles your work duties and responsibilities. You can search for your NOC here. Work experience gives a maximum of 15 points, and it depends on the number of years of experience.

               Age

              Another important factor is your age, and the points will be based on your age when IRCC gets your application. Canada also wants a younger migrant population, as younger immigrants are seen as vital to sustaining the country's workforce and supporting its aging population. By prioritizing younger migrants, Canada aims to ensure a steady influx of individuals who can contribute to the labor market for many years and help balance the demographic challenges posed by an increasing number of retirees. Thus, the younger you are, the higher points you’ll get – to a maximum of 12 points.

              Arranged Employment

              A lot of people get confused with this factor. To start, you can get a maximum of 10 points if you have at least 1-year job offer from a Canadian employer.  It must be continuous, full-time (not seasonal), and in an occupation in the TEER 0, 1, 2 and 3 categories. Furthermore, you must be able to convince IRCC that you would be able to do the job offered you, and for regulated occupations, that you’ll be licensed or certified.

But this does not mean just a letter from the employer that they hired you or will hire you – LMIA still plays a big role in this scenario. To get 10 points for a valid job offer, one of these situations must apply:

Situation 1: You work in Canada with a valid work permit. Your work permit was issued with a positive LMIA for a job in TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC. You’re working for the employer named on your permit, and they’ve made you a valid job offer.

Situation 2: You work in Canada in a job exempt from LMIA requirements due to an international agreement, benefit to Canadian interests, or a federal-provincial agreement. Your work permit is valid, and your current employer has made you a valid job offer. And you’ve worked for this employer for at least 1 year.

Situation 3: You don’t have a work permit or don’t plan to work in Canada before getting a permanent resident visa; and an employer has a valid LMIA and has made you a job offer based on it.

Situation 4: You have a valid work permit or can work in Canada without one. You work in a job exempt from LMIA, but not under an international or federal-provincial agreement. And another employer (not your current one) has a valid LMIA and has made you a job offer.

              It is important to note that employers must obtain LMIAs, not the employee; and only occupations in TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC qualify for valid job offers.

              Adaptability

              In this factor, the points can come from the principal applicant and the spouse or common-law partner. Although there's a lot of adaptability criteria, only a maximum of 10 points can be earned from this factor. Your spouse’s language score (minimum CLB 4) would give 5 points. Past studies in Canada (for the principal applicant and the spouse), can also get 5 points as long at least 2 academic years of full-time study was completed. A year of full-time work in TEER 0, 1 , 2 and 3, with valid authorization to work in Canada could also add 10 points (principal applicant’s work experience) or 5 points (for spouse’s work experience). Arrange employment can give you 5 points as well. Lastly, the principal applicant’s or spouse’s relative in Canada could also add 5 points to your score, as long as the following are established: the relative is living in Canada, 18 years or older, and a Canadian or PR. But not all relatives are eligible. They have to be a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt/uncle (by blood or marriage), or niece/nephew (grandchild of the PA/spouse’s parent). Let me reiterate, even if all the adaptability crieteria applies to your situation, only 10 a maximum of 10 points can be gained from this factor.

              All of these factors, as mentioned earlier, is also considered in the computation of your CRS score, but the points differ. It is important to note that the six selection factors are only applicable to FSW applicants. Take note that you need at least 67 points from these factors to be eligible for Express Entry-FSW. The criteria for other programs (like CEC and FST) are different. This kind of information is necessary so that you’ll be prepared on how to increase the likelihood of your profile to be eligible for the express entry program, then you’d be able to strategize the best way to increase your CRS score to be invited to apply for permanent residence.

 

Disclaimer: Please note that Canadian immigration laws and regulations are subject to change. The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance and may not reflect the most current legal developments at the time of your application. We strongly recommend consulting official government resources or seeking advice from a qualified legal professional before making any decisions or taking action based on the content of this article.

For personalized legal guidance, please email us me [email protected] or visit our website to book a consultation.

 

Sources:

Who can apply as a Federal Skilled Worker: Six Selection Factors

ECA for Express Entry: What your report means