Federal Skilled Worker
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the immigration programs managed by the Government of Canada through the Express Entry system. It is designed to attract skilled foreign workers who have the potential to contribute to the Canadian economy and integrate successfully into Canadian society.
The FSW program serves as Canada’s primary immigration pathway for skilled workers, enabling the country to welcome a significant number of newcomers annually. This is a key category of Express Entry (EE) program.
Minimum program requirements:
To qualify under this program, an applicant must:
- Have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation (National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0,1,2 and 3)
- Get a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 for first official language in all 4 language areas (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening). To get points for the second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all 4 language areas.
- Have a Canadian educational or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a foreign education.
- In addition to fulfilling eligibility and points requirements, applicants must show that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependents after arrival in Canada. The settlement funds requirement is waived for foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada and/or those who have arranged employment in Canada.
Important Points:
Applicants are required to achieve a minimum of 67 points according to the immigration selection factors established by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This points system is distinct from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which is used to assess and rank all Express Entry profiles. The six selection factors are as follows:
Factors | Points |
Education | 25 |
Language | 28 |
Work Experience | 15 |
Age | 12 |
Arrange Employment in Canada | 10 |
Adaptability | 10 |
The applicants must plan to reside outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a unique immigration system.
FAQ’s
Applicants are evaluated based on their skills and experience to determine their eligibility as a Federal Skilled Worker. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will also assess applicants’ scores based on six factors.
If an applicant scores 67 points or higher, they qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, if the score is less than 67 points, they do not meet the requirements for the program.
Certainly! As part of the application process, applicants are required to demonstrate adequate Settlement Funds to support themselves and their dependents upon arriving in Canada. However, this requirement is waived for foreign nationals who are presently employed in Canada and/or those who have secured arranged employment in Canada. To know how much funds you need as per your family size, you can click on the following link:
The Federal Skilled Worker Program application can be submitted online through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Applicants need to create an online account and complete the application form, providing all the required information and supporting documents. The online system allows for the secure submission of applications and facilitates the processing of applications in a timely manner. It is important to ensure that all necessary documents are properly uploaded, and that the application is complete before submitting it electronically.
Express Entry allows the principal applicant to include his/her spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner and dependent children in the application. Upon approval applicant and accompanying family members receive permanent resident visa/status. For Canadian immigration, a dependent child is defined as the following:
- under 22 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner, or
- 22 years of age or older and unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition.
If you want to apply under Federal Skilled Worker Program or want to check your eligibility, we can help! Contact us to discuss your options!