Frequently Asked Questions

Scoring is based on four broad categories:

• Basic human factors (age, education, languages, experience)
• Spouse or partner (if applicable)
• Skill transfer factors (combinations that increase your value)
• Additional factors (such as studies in Canada, siblings in Canada, valid job offer, provincial nomination)

The maximum total score is 1200 points.

You may be eligible for an open work permit if:

-You are an international student who graduated from a DLI and are eligible for the PGWP
-You are a student who can no longer meet the costs of your studies (indigent student - conditions apply)
-You have an employer specific work permit and are being abused or are at risk of being abused in connection with your work in Canada (conditions apply)
-You applied for permanent residence in Canada and are in the process.
-Is an immediate dependent relative of someone who applied for permanent residence
-Is the spouse or common-law partner of a skilled worker or international student the spouse or common-law partner of an Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program applicant.
-Is a refugee, refugee claimant, protected person or family member.
-Are under an unenforceable removal order
-Are a holder of a temporary residence permit
-Are a youth worker participating in special international mobility programs (famously known as a working holiday)

In each of these situations, you must meet additional criteria to be eligible.

No, you must have your study permit, work visa or permanent status in Canada in order to open your account.

It is possible that your passport expired before the end of your study program or job offer. Canada cannot issue a permit beyond the validity of your passport.

If you are independent or freelance, the following are examples and alternatives that you can present:

• Company registration or alternatively,
• Registration as independent or alternatively,
• Service contracts with customers or alternatively,
• Letters from customers 2 or 3 attesting that you have rendered services to them.

Any of the above documents will allow us to attest to your self-employed occupations. In a complementary, but not main way, you can optionally add any of the following, to strengthen the genuineness of your business: 

• Self-employed business cards -this document alone does not carry much weight for the officer, ideally it should be accompanied by one of the documents mentioned above.

Web presence: website, facebook -this document alone does not carry much weight for the officer, ideally it should be accompanied by one of those mentioned above-.