Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a component of the Express Entry system, overseeing three federal economic immigration programs. Its objective is to draw skilled individuals with international work experience who meet the criteria for permanent immigration to Canada.
Key Selection Factors for the Federal Skilled Worker Program:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Job offer
- Language proficiency in English or French
- Adaptability
Applicants are assessed on these six factors and awarded a score out of 100. Those who achieve a minimum of 67 points are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Distribution of the 100 points:
Language Proficiency (maximum 28 points)
Applicants must exhibit proficiency in English or French, the official languages of Canada. Proficiency in both languages can earn additional points. Approved language tests are mandatory to validate proficiency. Proficiency levels are determined by:
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French
To qualify, a minimum proficiency level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 is required.
Work experience (Maximum 15 points)
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, it is imperative to possess a minimum of one year of full-time, compensated work experience in a skilled occupation falling under categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 as outlined in the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) criteria of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021. A greater number of years in the workforce will result in a higher scoring evaluation. consult the chart provided below for further guidance:
Age (Maximum 12 points)
The minimum age of a candidate to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program is 18 years. The younger you are, the more points you will be able to earn. It goes as follows:
| Age | Points |
| Under 18 | 0 |
| 18-35 | 12 |
| 36 | 11 |
| 37 | 10 |
| 38 | 9 |
| 39 | 8 |
| 40 | 7 |
| 41 | 6 |
| 42 | 5 |
| 43 | 4 |
| 44 | 3 |
| 45 | 2 |
| 46 | 1 |
| 47 and older | 0 |
Job Offer from a Canadian Employer (Maximum 10 Points)
Having a job offer lasting at least one year from a Canadian employer can earn you a maximum of 10 points. It’s crucial to secure this job offer before applying as a Federal Skilled Worker. Here are the key requirements for the job offer:
- It should involve continuous, paid full-time work (at least 30 hours per week).
- The position should not be seasonal.
- The job must last for a minimum of one year.
- The occupation must fall under TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC.
In addition, you need to demonstrate to the authorities that you possess the necessary skills and capabilities to effectively perform the offered job. If the occupation is regulated, you should be able to obtain the required license or certificate upon arrival in Canada.
Adaptability (maximum 10 points)
You and your spouse or common-law partner who will be immigrating with you to Canada can earn a maximum of 10 points for adaptability. The points are awarded on the basis of:
| The language proficiency of your spouse or common-law partner | 5 |
| Canadian education | 5 |
| Your spouse’s or common-law partner’s Canadian education | 5 |
| Canadian work experience | 10 |
| Your spouse’s or common-law partner’s Canadian work experience | 5 |
| Arranged employment in Canada | 5 |
| Relatives in Canada | 5 |
| The language proficiency of your spouse or common-law partner | 5 |
Eligibility requirements for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Skilled Work Experience
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must possess skilled work experience within occupations classified under TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). It is imperative to demonstrate that, as part of their primary occupation, they have executed the duties outlined in the lead statement of the occupational description within the NOC.
- Work experience should pertain to the primary occupation.
- The acquired work experience should fall within the past 10 years.
- Only paid work will be considered; volunteer work and unpaid internships will not count.
- A minimum of one year of continuous work experience is required, whether through full-time employment or its part-time equivalent.
Work experience acquired during studies will be recognized as skilled work experience if it satisfies the following criteria:
- Compensation is received through wages or commissions.
- Uninterrupted employment without gaps.
- Fulfillment of all other program eligibility criteria.
Language Proficiency
Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, proficiency in either English or French, the official languages of Canada, must be demonstrated through approved language test results by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). A minimum score equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 is required in all four language abilities:
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
Applicants are also required to include their test results in their Express Entry profile. The validity of the language test result is two years and should be current at the time of applying for permanent residence.
Education
Eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program necessitates possession of a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution. For foreign educational credentials, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is mandatory to validate equivalence to Canadian secondary or post-secondary education levels.
Proof of Funds
Applicants must substantiate their capacity to support themselves and their families in Canada until they secure a stable income. However, this requirement is waived for individuals currently employed in Canada legally with a valid job offer.
Admissibility
Proof of admissibility to Canada is essential. Various factors may render an individual inadmissible, including security concerns such as:
- Espionage
- Subversion
- Violence/terrorism
- Affiliation with organizations engaged in such activities
or human or international rights violations, such as:
- War crimes
- Crimes against humanity
- Conviction for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Involvement in organized crime like smuggling or money laundering
- Medical conditions posing risks to public health or safety or straining health and social services
- Inability or unwillingness to financially support oneself or family members
- Providing false or withholding pertinent information under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
- Non-compliance with IRPA provisions
- Inadmissible family members
Documents Required for Canada PR Applications under the Federal Skilled Worker Program:
- Passport
- Language test results
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Provincial Nomination (if applicable)
- Proof of funds
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical clearance
- Proof of funds
- Birth certificate
- Marital or divorce status document
- Death certificate
- Adoption certificate for dependent adopted children
Application Process
When applying for permanent residency in Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the initial step involves confirming your eligibility. Meeting the requirements and scoring above 67 out of 100 on the program’s points grid will qualify you for entry into the Express Entry pool. Subsequently, you may receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada during a federal Express Entry draw.
To enhance your chances of receiving an invitation, you may consider applying for a provincial nomination. Additionally, selecting the appropriate National Occupational Classification (NOC) code when creating your Express Entry profile is crucial.
While awaiting an invitation, it is advisable to prepare all necessary documents and ensure the validity of your language test results. Strategies to improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score include enhancing language test results or acquiring additional qualifications. Maintaining the accuracy of your Express Entry profile by updating information as needed is essential.
Obtaining police clearance certificates from all countries where you have resided for over six months after turning 18 is mandatory to demonstrate your admissibility to Canada. Likewise, dependent family members aged 18 and above must also provide these certificates. Given that obtaining these certificates can be time-consuming in certain countries, it is advisable to secure them in advance.
Consider initiating a job search in Canada as securing a job offer can boost your points. Upon receiving an invitation, obtaining medical clearance will be a mandatory step in the process.