Federal skilled workers: Assessing against the selection criteria

To determine whether a skilled worker, as a member of the federal skilled worker class, has the ability to become economically established in Canada, applicants are assessed against the selection criteria in paragraph 76(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Based on the information and documents provided in the application, points will be awarded to the applicant for each of the following six selection factors:

• Education
• Official language proficiency
• Work experience
• Age
• Arranged employment
• Adaptability

If the applicant’s total score is equal to or greater than the pass mark set by the Minister, and the applicant passes the A11.2 assessment (if the applicant applied under Express Entry on or after January 1, 2015), the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) will forward the entire application, including the result of their initial assessment against the selection criteria, to the office identified by the applicant for processing for a final decision.

If the applicant’s total score is less than the pass mark set by the Minister and/or the applicant does not pass the A11.2 assessment (if the applicant applied under Express Entry on or after January 1, 2015), the CIO will make a negative selection decision, record the outcome and reasons in GCMS, and send a letter to inform the applicant that their application has been refused.