In a recent New York Times story about people in the U.S. who are moving to Canada as a result of political despair over the results of the last presidential election, buried deep, deeper, deepest in the long article — as is surprisingly often the case with Times stories — was something much more interesting than the article itself.
It was an outline of the point system Canada uses to decide which of the many potential immigrants seeking to live there qualifies for a permanent resident visa.
Here's how points are allotted:
• Education: 25 points maximum; a master's degree is worth 25, a bachelor's 20
• Language skills: 24 points maximum, received for being fluent in both French and English
• Experience: 21 points maximum
• Age: 10 points maximum for being 21–49 years old
• Arranged employment: 10 points maximum
• Adaptability: 10 points maximum
You can see that the maximum points achievable (shades of 800 on the old SAT!) = 100.
Applicants must attain at least 67 points in order to qualify for a Canadian Immigrant Visa.
How'd you do?
Article comments
1 - Mike Kole
I figured I would get a 77. My 'abilities' with French earn me a solid zero. I'm in the age bracket they want, so that was a maximum. I had to assume that I could find work there. No word on acceptability for entrepreneurs.
People would freak out if the United States had a policy like this, especially on language.
2 - DrPat
I would get 69 to 76, depending on how they evaluate non-French languages. My ever-lovin' would actually get a higher score, having turned down job offers (which could probably be reactivated) in the Great White North in the past.
3 - ufuk CUBUKCU
hello..my nama is ufuk...i am from turkey..i am living in sydney a boat 1.5 years..iam chemist..i am 25...i wanna living in canada....but....
4 - Mustafa
I realy want to live in peace with no fighting. noblood shed with my family I have two sweet little kids and my wife.I am an English teacher.
looking for respected life with no more depression.
5 - Zeonardo
Well... I DO want to live up there. I'm a 25yo brazilian designer and I really don't know how it is to live abroad. I've just started a french course and I'm sure I'll master it in a few months.
I can't take the violence and the careless politic down here in Rio de Janeiro. Can't take the hot weather too!! Canada, here I go! (maybe in an year or two, though)
6 - Jack
I want to live in cana da because my grandad has visited and he says it is a beautiful country, i hope to move to canada with my five freinds and hopefully we want to travel the world, we are currently 11
7 - william ufuk cubukcu
he was born 1979 in turkey.he is a chemist.he is been in australia in 4 years and still is.he is running 2-3 business at the same time.he enjoys life at a high level
8 - masud
Hai,i am a banker.I want to live in canada.Beacuse canada is my dream country.There is no hostility,no enemy,only for peace & peace.I thing canada is most peacefull coundry in the world.
9 - naseer
i want live in canada and do a good job
10 - naseer allah shah
hii i am naseer from pakistan but i want liveing in canada now becuase canada a good country in the world. i like canada