Comparing Point-Based Immigration Systems: Canada vs. Australia vs. UK
If you’ve been looking into skilled migration, you’ve probably seen “points-based system” come up a lot. The idea is you input all your info, then your overall profile gets quickly assessed on a numerical sliding scale. A Master's degree is worth more than bachelor's degree, english mastery (IELTS 8.0+) is worth more than english proficiency (IELTS 6.0+), etc.
Assuming you meet the minimum cut off for that application cycle, you'll be invited to submit documents and officially apply (or directly granted the visa in the case of the UK.)
Here's how 3 popular countries stack up:
| Category | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇦🇺 Australia | 🇬🇧 UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| System Name | Express Entry | SkillSelect | Skilled Worker Visa |
| Minimum Threshold | 472-point minimum (Oct 2025) | 65-point minimum | 70-point minimum |
| Core Factors | Age, education, experience, English/French, job offer | Age, education, experience, English, occupation demand | Job offer, salary, English, sponsorship |
| Language Minimum | ~IELTS 6.0+ | ~IELTS 6.0+ | CEFR B1 |
| Job Offer | Optional | Optional | Usually required |
| Permanent Residency Path | Direct PR via Express Entry | Direct PR via visa subclass 189 | Long-term route to PR after 5 years |
| Processing Time | <6 months | <9 months | ~3–8 weeks |
| Typical Applicant Profile | Younger professionals w/ degrees | Skilled trades & professionals | Sponsored employees w/ offers |
Notes
- Processing times are estimates from government bodies and can vary widely depending on country of origin, time of year, and policy changes, especially in the UK.
- Canada includes French as a separate way to score points, so +1 for the bilinguals. Minimum thresholds vary by draw.
- The UK seems likely to extend ILR from 5 to 10 years, and bump their B1 requirement to B2 in 2026, along with a host of other immigration changes to get to net zero. I've written on this here and here.