In the Independent/Skilled Worker Class, a skilled worker is someone who has at least one (1) year of full-time (37.5 hours per week or more) work experience within the past ten (10) years in one of the occupations listed in either Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). The NOC was developed by Human Resources Development Canada to be a systematic cataloging of occupations in the Canadian labour market. The NOC is divided into five (5) bands:

Only experience in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A and B are considered relevant for applicants in the Independent/Skilled Worker Class.
To immigrate in the Independent/Skilled Worker Class, the experience in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A and B must consist of actions described in the lead description and a substantial number of the duties described in the Main Duties section of the NOC, including all the essential duties.

Skilled Worker Program Objectives
(1) to permit Canada to pursue the maximum social, cultural and economic benefits of immigration; (2) to support the development of a strong and prosperous Canadian economy, in which benefits of immigration are shared across all regions of Canada; (3) to support, by means of consistent standards and prompt processing, the attainment of immigration goals established by the Government of Canada in consultation with provinces; (4) to enrich and strengthen the cultural and social fabric of Canadian society, while respecting federal, bilingual and multicultural character of Canada.

Eligibility
The applicants in Independent Class must have a minimum of one year of work experience in an occupation which include, General Occupation List and then obtain at least 67 points which are granted on basis of different Selection Criteria such as: age, education, language ability, years of working experience, family in Canada and personal adaptability.
Who can be included in an application
Applications for permanent residence in Canada will include the principal applicant and all of his/her dependent as defined under "dependant" in Immigration Regulations.

Selection Criteria
The 6 selection criteria are set out in the Immigration Regulations. The values awarded for each of the selection criteria will be "locked in" or protected. The applicant will receive the value current on the day the application was submitted and the fees paid. This will occur regardless of the day on which paper screening or interview takes place. Should a subsequent change in the values occur which would be to the applicant's advantage, the applicant may receive the benefit of the additional points of assessment. The applicant will not suffer from any decrease in the value of any of the selection criteria.
Assuming that they meet the aforementioned prerequisites, applicants are then assessed according to various selection criteria by Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials and applicants must attain a minimum score of sixty-seven (67) points overall in order to be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada.
These selection criteria are as follows:

Work Permits

A foreign national may not work in Canada unless authorized to do so. In many instances, a work permit is required and will only be issued by an Immigration officer after Human Resources Development Canada ("HRDC") approves the job offer of a prospective Canadian employer to a foreign national. There are exceptions to this requirement, as well, the circumstances of which vary on a case by case basis. HRDC is not required to provide an opinion on each individual offer of employment. Rather, HRDC may provide this opinion with respect to a single job offer, a group of job offers made by a single employer or a single or group of job descriptions that reflect needs across a range of Canadian employers.

Study Permits

A foreign national may not study in Canada unless he/she is in possession of a study permit. It should be noted, however, that if the course or study program lasts for six (6) months or less, a study permit is not required.
Please take note of the following general information regarding studying in Canada:
(I) Each Canadian university, technical school or community college sets its own requirements. The registrars of these schools can provide information on tuition fees, health insurance, scholarships, lodging and living expenses, and language requirements.
(II) Every post-secondary student in Canada has to pay tuition fees. The fees vary from school to school and from year to year. The registrar will help the student to determine the fees required.
(III) Canada has two (2) official languages: English and French. The student will need to know one or the other to follow course lectures and reading assignments. Some post-secondary schools might ask the student to take a language test. They may charge a fee for this test, which the student will have to pay. Language requirements are set by each school. Once again, school registrars can give the student information on language requirements.
Once the student has decided on the courses he/she wants to take, officials at the school where the student applies will tell the student if he/she qualifies. If accepted, the student will receive a confirmation letter from the registrar, the school board or the school, itself.
To be acceptable to Canadian Immigration officials, the letter should be the original, not a photocopy, specify in detail the courses the student is taking, confirm that the applicant has been accepted as a student, and indicate the length of program or studies.