Self-Assessment Worksheet
This worksheet will help you determine your chance of qualifying as a skilled worker. It explains the six factors on which points are awarded and helps you estimate how many points you may be awarded for each factor.
How to estimate your points
Read the explanation for each factor, then fill in your score on the worksheet.
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, you must decide which of you will be the principal applicant; the other person will be considered a family member. Use the self-assessment worksheet to determine which of you would score the most points. This person should be the principal applicant.
Note: A common-law partner is a person of the same or opposite sex who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for a period of at least one year.
A family member is a spouse, common-law partner or dependent child included in your application.
Factor 1: Education (maximum 25 points)
Points are awarded for earned educational credentials as well as the number of years of full-time or full-time equivalent study. To be awarded points, you must meet both stated criteria.
Note: Full-time studies: At least 15 hours of instruction per week during the academic year. This includes any period of workplace training that forms part of the course
Full-time equivalent studies: If you completed a program of study on a part-time or accelerated basis, count the length of time it would have taken to complete the program on a full-time basis.
Instructions
Use the chart below to determine your points. If you have not completed the number of years of study that correspond to your highest educational credential, award yourself points based on the number of years of study.
Examples: If you have a Master’s degree but have completed only 16 years of full-time study, award yourself 22 points. If you have a four-year Bachelor's degree and have completed 14 or more years of study, award yourself 20 points.
|
Master’s or PhD 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; or
A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study
|
22
|
|
A university degree of two years or more at the Bachelor's level, and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study; or
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 university degree at the Bachelor's level and at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent study; or
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 (also called high school)
|
5
|
Factor 2: Language ability (maximum 24 points)
Points are awarded for proven ability in reading, writing, listening to and speaking English and/or French.
Instructions
STEP 1. If you have some abilities in both English and French, decide which of the two you are more comfortable using; this will be considered your first official language. The other will be your second official language.
STEP 2. Determine your points according to your ability to read, write, listen to, and speak these languages using the criteria in the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
Proficiency levels
The chart below contains basic descriptions of the proficiency levels you will be assessed against. These descriptions correspond to the Canadian Language Benchmarks and can be viewed in their entirety on our Web site by following the link to “How to Assess Your Language Skills”.
Use this reference chart to find the Benchmark that best defines your language ability, or follow the link to “How to Assess Your Language Skills” on our Web site for direct links to each level.
|
Proficiency level
|
Ability
|
|
Speaking
|
Listening
|
Reading
|
Writing
|
|
HIGH: You communicate effectively in most social and work situations.
|
Benchmark 8:
Pages 68-71
|
Benchmark 8:
Pages 82-83
|
Benchmark 8:
Pages 94-95
|
Benchmark 8:
Pages
106-107
|
|
MODERATE: You communicate comfortably in familiar social and work situations.
|
Benchmark 6:
Pages 60-63
|
Benchmark 6:
Pages 78-79
|
Benchmark 6:
Pages 90-91
|
Benchmark 6:
Pages
102-103
|
|
BASIC: You can communicate in predictable contexts and on familiar topics.
|
Benchmark 4:
Pages 12-13
|
Benchmark 4:
Pages 24-25
|
Benchmark 4:
Pages 36-37
|
Benchmark 4:
Pages 48-49
|
|
NO: You do not meet the criteria for basic proficiency.
|
Do not meet Benchmark 4
|
Do not meet Benchmark 4
|
Do not meet Benchmark 4
|
Do not meet Benchmark 4
|
Calculating your language points
|
First official
language
|
Read
|
Write
|
Listen
|
Speak
|
|
High proficiency
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
4
|
|
Moderate proficiency
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Basic proficiency
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
No proficiency
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Second official
language
|
Read
|
Write
|
Listen
|
Speak
|
|
High proficiency
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Moderate proficiency
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
|
Basic proficiency
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
|
No proficiency
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
Proof of Language Proficiency
The instructions above are meant to provide you with an informal self-assessment only. If you decide to apply to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, you must provide conclusive proof of your language abilities. There are two ways to provide this proof. Choose one of the options below to establish your proficiency in English and/or French.
Option 1: Take a language proficiency test from an approved organization
We strongly recommend that you take an official language test if you are claiming skills in a language that is not your native language.
|
Steps:
|
Results:
|
1. Make an arrangement for testing and pay test costs. A list of approved organizations can be found on our Web site. Follow the link to “How to Assess Your Language Skills”.
2. Submit the assessment results with your immigration application.
|
- Test results will be used as conclusive evidence of your language proficiency.
- You will know exactly how many points you will receive for the language factor before you submit your application. To determine your points, see the test result equivalency charts that follow.
|
Option 2: Establish your proficiency levels through a written explanation and supporting documentation
|
Steps:
|
Results:
|
|
1. Gather material that supports your claim. This should include:
- A submission written by you that details your training in, and use of, English and/or French
- Official documentation of education in English and/or French
- Official documentation of work experience in English and/or French
2. Determine what proficiency levels you wish to claim and indicate these levels clearly in your submission.
3. Submit these documents with your immigration application.
|
- CIC officers will not interview you to assess your proficiency levels.
- Your submission must satisfy the officer that your language skills meet the benchmarks for the levels you are claiming.
- A CIC officer will review the evidence you include with your application.
- The officer will award points for your language ability based on what you send with your application.
- You will not know in advance how many points the CIC officer will give you for your language skills.
|
Arranging a language test
If you choose Option 1, you must arrange a language test from any of the following approved organizations. For contact information, refer to our Web site and follow the link to “How to Assess Your Language Skills”.
|
English language testing
organizations
|
French language testing
organizations
|
|
The University of Cambridge Local
Examination Syndicate, Education
Australia, and the British Council
administer the International English
Language Testing System (IELTS).
Note: IELTS has “General Training”
and “Academic” options for the
reading and writing tests. If you
choose to take an IELTS test, you
must take the “General Training”
option.
|
The Paris Chamber of Commerce and
Industry administers the Test
d’Évaluation de Français (TEF).
Note: For immigration purposes, you
must submit results for the
following tests:
- expression orale
- compréhension orale
- compréhension écrite
- expression écrite
|
|
The University of British Columbia’s
Applied Research and Evaluation
Services (ARES) administer the
Canadian International Language
Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
|
|
Using your test results
Once you have taken a language test from an approved organization, you can determine how many points you will receive using one of the equivalency charts below:
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
|
Level
|
Points
(per ability)
|
Test results for each ability
|
|
Speaking
|
Listening
|
Reading
(General
Training)
|
Writing
(General
Training)
|
|
High
|
First official
language: 4
|
7.0 – 9.0
|
7.0 – 9.0
|
7.0 – 9.0
|
7.0 – 9.0
|
|
Second official
language: 2
|
|
Moderate
|
Either official
language: 2
|
5.0 – 6.9
|
5.0 – 6.9
|
5.0 – 6.9
|
5.0 – 6.9
|
|
Basic
|
Either official
language: 1
(maximum of 2)
|
4.0 – 4.9
|
4.0 – 4.9
|
4.0 – 4.9
|
4.0 – 4.9
|
|
No
|
0
|
Less than 4.0
|
Less than 4.0
|
Less than 4.0
|
Less than 4.0
|
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
|
Level
|
Points
(per ability)
|
Test results for each ability
|
|
Speaking
|
Listening
|
Reading
|
Writing
|
|
High
|
First official
language: 4
|
4H
5
6
|
4H
5
6
|
4H
5
6
|
4H
5
6
|
|
Second official
language: 2
|
|
Moderate
|
Either official
language: 2
|
3H
4L
|
3H
4L
|
3H
4L
|
3H
4L
|
|
Basic
|
Either official
language: 1
(maximum of 2)
|
2H
3L
|
2H
3L
|
2H
3L
|
2H
3L
|
|
No
|
0
|
0
1
2L
|
0
1
2L
|
0
1
2L
|
0
1
2L
|
Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
|
Level
|
Points
(per ability)
|
Test results for each ability
|
|
Speaking
(expression orale)
|
Listening
(compréhension orale)
|
Reading
(compréhension écrite)
|
Writing
(expression
écrite)
|
|
High
|
First official
language: 4
|
Level 5
Level 6
(349-450 pts)
|
Level 5
Level 6
(280-360 pts)
|
Level 5
Level 6
(233-300 pts)
|
Level 5
Level 6
(349-450 pts)
|
|
Second official language: 2
|
|
Moderate
|
Either official
language: 2
|
Level 4
(271-348 pts)
|
Level 4
(217-279 pts)
|
Level 4
(181-232 pts)
|
Level 4
(271-348 pts)
|
|
Basic
|
Either official
language: 1
(maximum of 2)
|
Level 3
(181-270 pts)
|
Level 3
(145-216 pts)
|
Level 3
(121-180 pts)
|
Level 3
(181-270 pts)
|
|
No
|
0
|
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-180 pts)
|
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-144 pts)
|
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-120 pts)
|
Level 0
Level 1
Level 2
(0-180 pts)
|
Add your points: Total of speaking + listening + reading + writing = ______ (both languages)
Factor 3: Work Experience (maximum 21 points)
Calculate your points by adding all of the years of full-time, paid work experience you have that:
|
Years of experience
|
Points
|
|
1
|
15
|
|
2
|
17
|
|
3
|
19
|
|
4+
|
21
|
If your work experience does not meet all of the above conditions, you may not count this experience.
Factor 4: Age (maximum 10 points)
Points are given for your age at the time your application is received.
|
Age
|
Total
Points
|
|
16 or under
|
0
|
|
17
|
2
|
|
18
|
4
|
|
19
|
6
|
|
20
|
8
|
|
21-49
|
10
|
|
50
|
8
|
|
51
|
6
|
|
52
|
4
|
|
53
|
2
|
|
54 and over
|
0
|
Factor 5: Arranged employment (maximum 10 points)
Determine your points based on the chart below:
|
If:
|
And:
|
Points
|
|
You are currently working in
Canada on a temporary work
permit (including sectoral
confirmations).
|
- Your work permit is valid for 12
or more months after the date
you apply for a permanent
resident visa;
- Your employer has made an
offer to give you a permanent
job if your application is
successful.
|
10
|
|
You are currently working in
Canada in a job that is
HRSD confirmation-exempt
under an international
agreement or a significant
benefit category
(e.g. intra-company
transferee).
|
- Your work permit is valid for 12
or more months after the date
you apply for a permanent
resident visa;
- Your employer has made an
offer to give you a permanent
job if your application is
successful.
|
10
|
|
You do not currently have a
work permit and you do not
intend to work in Canada
before you have been issued
a permanent resident visa.
|
- You have a full-time job offer
that has been confirmed by
Human Resources
Skills Development
(HRSD);
- Your employer has made an
offer to give you a permanent
job if your application is
successful.
- You meet all required Canadian
licensing or regulatory
standards associated with the
job.
Note:
- You cannot arrange for an
HRSD confirmation. Your
employer must do this.
- HRSD will confirm job offers for
occupations listed in Skill Type
0 or Skill Level A or B of the
NOC.
|
10
|
Factor 6: Adaptability (maximum 10 points)
Points are awarded for certain adaptability elements based on the experience of the principal applicant and/or his or her spouse or common-law partner.
Instructions:
Use the chart below to determine your points. If you have a spouse or common-law partner, points for each element can be awarded only once, either for you or your spouse or common-law partner.
|
Adaptability criteria
|
Points
|
|
A. Spouse or common-law partner’s level of education
- Secondary school (high school) diploma or less: 0 points
- A one-year diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree and at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 3 points
- A diploma, trade certificate, apprenticeship, or university degree of two years or more and at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 4 points
- A Master’s or PhD and at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies: 5 points
|
3-5
|
|
B. Previous study in Canada:
- You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner studied at a post-secondary institution in Canada for at least two years on a full-time basis. This must have been done after the age of 17 and with a valid study permit.
|
5
|
|
C. Previous work in Canada:
- You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner completed a minimum of one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit.
|
5
|
|
D. Arranged employment:
- You earned points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment.
|
5
|
|
E. Relatives in Canada:
- You or your accompanying spouse or common-law partner has a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt/uncle, or grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who lives in Canada and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
|
5
|
Your score
Use this worksheet to calculate your total score. A visa officer will assess your application and will make the final decision; if there is a difference between the points you give yourself and the points the officer awards you, the officer’s assessment will prevail.
|
Factor
|
Maximum points
|
Your score
|
|
1
|
Education
|
25
|
|
|
2
|
Language proficiency
|
24
|
|
|
3
|
Work experience
|
21
|
|
|
4
|
Age
|
10
|
|
|
5
|
Arranged employment
|
10
|
|
|
6
|
Adaptability
|
10
|
|
|
Total
|
100
|
|
The pass mark
The pass mark was last set on September 18, 2003, at 67 points. To learn the current pass mark, consult our Web site.
|
If:
|
Then:
|
|
Your total score is equal to or
greater than the pass mark...
|
- You may qualify for immigration to
Canada as a skilled worker. Read
the rest of this guide to decide if
you wish to apply under the
Federal Skilled Worker Class.
|
|
Your total score is less than
the pass mark...
|
- You are not likely to qualify for
immigration to Canada as a
skilled worker. We recommend
that you do not apply at this time;
- However, you may apply if you
believe there are other factors
that would help you to become
economically established in
Canada. Send a detailed letter
with your application explaining
these factors. Include any
documents that support your
claim.
|
|
