On September 18, 2003 the Minister of Citizenship & Immigration Canada announced an adjustment to the pass mark for federal skilled worker applicants.  Effective immediately, all new skilled worker applicants and those currently in the system who have not received a selection decision will be assessed with a pass mark of 67.  Since the implementation of the new immigration laws (known as IPRA), the pass mark was 75. 

Additionally, the Minister is proposing to amend the IRPA transition regulations to allow for all skilled workers and business applicants who applied before January 1, 2002 to be assessed under the selection criteria of the former Immigration Act. 

The changes are a result of various court challenges.  Leonard Pearl of Siskind Susser was one of the lawyers that successfully challenged Immigration Canada’s IRPA implementations.  Leonard Pearl is currently advising his clients to immediately file their Canadian immigration applications, as he is not confident that the dramatic decrease in the points pass mark will be kept for an lengthy period of time.   

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Leonard Pearl, at lpearlvisalaw@sprint.ca or (905) 764-8767.