Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is the most popular pathway to Canadian permanent residence for foreign skilled workers. It offers a variety of benefits that make it an attractive option for those seeking a new start in Canada. This page will provide you with a complete guide on how to apply for the FSWP, including all the requirements and details you need to know.

FSW: Canada’s Fastest PR Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) is one of the three main federal immigration programs under the Express Entry system.

  • IRCC launched the FSW Program in 1967.
  • It’s designed for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada.
  • It assesses eligible candidates based on education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria.

Who is Eligible to Apply for the FSW Program?

To be eligible, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • Skilled Work Experience: You need work experience in specific job categories (as defined by the National Occupational Classification).
  • Language Ability: You must take approved language tests in English or French and meet the required scores.
  • Education: You should have a certain level of education.

If you meet these minimum requirements, your application will be further evaluated based on additional selection factors.

FSW Selection Factors

Federal Skilled Worker Program applicants get assessed against the FSW Eligibility Point Grid System. The minimum required score to be eligible to apply is 67 points out of a maximum score of 100. Here is a breakdown of the FSW points calculator for six selection factors:

fsw selection factors
  • Education:  You can score up to 25 points based on your highest level of education. For example, a master’s or doctoral degree would score higher than a bachelor’s degree.
  • Language Skills:  You can score up to 28 points for your language abilities. This is based on your performance in the IELTS CELPIP (English) or TEF (French) language tests.
  • Work Experience:  You can score up to 15 points based on the number of years of full-time paid work experience in a skilled occupation. More years of experience will result in a higher score.
  • Age:  You can score up to 12 points based on your age at the time of application. Points decrease as you get older.
  • Arranged Employment (Valid Job Offer):  You can receive up to 10 points if you have a valid job offer in Canada.
  • Adaptability:  You can score up to 10 points based on factors such as having a close family member in Canada, having studied or worked in Canada, or having a spouse with language proficiency.

Federal Skilled Worker Requirements

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is a part of Canada’s Express Entry system, which is designed to attract skilled workers from around the world who want to immigrate to Canada. Here are the basic Federal Skilled Worker eligibility requirements:

1. Minimum Work Experience

  • You must have a minimum of one year of continuous paid work experience, full-time or an equal amount of part-time (1,560 hours) in the last ten years.
  • Work experience must be in either TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 3 or TEER 4 categories of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) ver. 2021. You can search your NOC code based on your job title here.
  • Applicants must have performed the actions described in the lead statement and a substantial number of the primary duties listed in the NOC description of the occupation under which they are applying.

2. Language Requirements for the FSWP

  • Applicants must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of at least level 7 in all categories, i.e. Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.
  • Language test results must not be more than two years old at the time of application.
  • Language proficiency tests can be taken in one of Canada’s two official languages: English and French.
  • It must be from a designated institution approved by IRCC.

3. Education Requirements for Federal Skilled Worker Class

  • a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary diploma or degree, or
  • a foreign secondary or post-secondary diploma or degree with an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from an IRCC-approved agency shows that the foreign education credential is equal to Canadian educational standards.
  • The ECA must be less than five years old on the date of application.

4. Proof of Funds

  • Applicants must show proof of sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependents once they arrive in Canada.
  • Applicants under this program are NOT required to show proof of settlement funds if:
    • They are currently able to work legally in Canada, and they have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

How to Apply for Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Here’s a step-by-step process for the Federal Skilled Worker Program:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility for FSWP

You must meet the Federal Skilled Worker Class Requirements mentioned above to apply for the FSW Express Entry Program. Start your assessment here if you want to check if you’re eligible.

Step 2: Education Assessment (ECA)

You can claim FSW points for your education if you have done Education Credential Assessment (ECA) from one of the designated organizations. WES is one of the most popular organizations authorized to issue ECA.

Step 3: Language Proficiency Test (IELTS or Equivalent)

To obtain FSW points based on your Language Proficiency, you need to take tests like IELTS, CELPIP, or equivalent French language tests.

Step 4: Express Entry Profile Creation

After completing your ECA and Language tests, you will get enough FSW points to create an Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Step 5: Receive ITA

Only candidates surpassing the cut-off score of the Latest FSW Draw receive an ITA. Once you successfully receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will get 60 days to prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

Step 6: Medical Exam and Police Verification (PCC)

After that, Federal Skilled Workers must pass a medical exam and police clearance stage to move to the next process phase.

Step 7: Processing Stage

IRCC processes your application at this stage. A visa officer will let you know whether they require more paperwork to apply for Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Step 8: Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)

IRCC makes the final decision on your FSW application, and you receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).

Step 9: Move to Canada

After that, you can move to Canada as a skilled worker.

Steps for federal skilled worker program canada

Federal Skilled Worker Program Jobs

You need at least one year of work experience in a job requiring a TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3 to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program. Please review the list of all eligible occupations below:

TEER 0

TEER 1

TEER 2

TEER 3

Federal Skilled Worker Program Processing Time

The processing time for FSWP applications can vary but typically falls within the range of 6 to 8 months for an ideal application. The Federal Skilled Worker Program processing time can fluctuate due to factors such as the volume of applications and changes in immigration policies. You can check the latest processing time for the Federal Skilled Worker program here.

What is acceptable proof of funds for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Federal Skilled Workers must show that they can support themselves and their families after immigrating to Canada. The amount of proof of funds required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Canada’s Express Entry system can vary depending on various factors, including the number of family members accompanying you. Please see the table below for the amount needed based on the size of your family.

Number of family members (in Canadian dollars)Funds required
1$14,690
2$18,288
3$22,483
4$27,297
5$30,690
6$34,917
7$38,875
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member$3,958

Federal Skilled Worker Processing Fees

The application processing fee for the Federal Skilled Worker Program is as follows:

  • Application processing fee – CAD$ 850
  • Right of Permanent Residence fee – CAD$ 515
  • With Spouse or partner – CAD$ 850
  • With a dependent child – CAD$ 230 (per child)

How ELAAR can help you?

If you need assistance with Federal Skilled Worker Program, please get in touch with ELAAR. Our team of experts is led by Keshav Sharma, a Licensed and Regulated Immigration Consultant with many years of immigration experience. Together we can help you optimize your FSW Express Entry profile and maximize your odds of receiving an Invitation to Apply.

FAQs: Federal Skilled Worker Program

How to check eligibility for federal skilled worker?

To check eligibility for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), ensure you possess at least one year of full-time skilled work experience within the last ten years in a designated occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).

Demonstrate language proficiency in either English or French through approved tests and have a foreign educational credential equivalent to Canadian standards. Consider adaptability factors, like a job offer or Canadian education, for additional points.

Show proof of settlement funds unless you have a job offer. Lastly, aim to meet the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score when applying through the Express Entry system. Verify current requirements on the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Calculate Your Score using FSW Calculator

What are Federal Skilled Worker Program requirements?

Here are the key requirements for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) presented in bullet points:

Work Experience

Minimum one year of paid work experience in the last decade.
Experience must be in TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 3, or TEER 4 NOC job categories.
Tasks performed should align with NOC job descriptions.

Language Proficiency

Achieve at least CLB level 7 in English or French.
Recent language test results (within two years).
Tests must be from an approved institution.

Education

Possess a Canadian high school or post-secondary diploma, or
Hold a foreign diploma with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) showing Canadian equivalence (ECA less than five years old).

Proof of Funds

Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds unless legally working in Canada with a valid job offer.

What is the difference between Express Entry and FSW?

FSW is a type of Express Entry program. It is one of the three main economic immigration programs of Canada.

What is the difference between FSW and PNP?

PNP is a province-focus immigration pathway, while FSW is valid all over Canada (except Quebec). If you apply for PNP in addition to FSW you will get 600 extra points on the nomination. Although you can apply for a standalone PNP program as well. Learn more.

How many Canada federal skilled worker points are required to qualify?

You typically require a minimum of 67 points out of 100 if you wish to be eligible under the Express Entry System.

What is the minimum CRS score needed to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff score for the Federal Skilled Worker Program varies with each Express Entry draw. The CRS cutoff is not fixed and depends on factors like the number of candidates and the specific draw.

To be eligible for the program, candidates must aim to meet or exceed the pass mark of 67 points out of 100. It’s essential to keep track of the latest Express Entry draws and their CRS cutoff scores to assess your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.

These cutoff scores can change with each draw and are published by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

What is the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program processing time?

The processing time for the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in Canada can vary, but there are some common trends:

Typically, a significant percentage (around 80%) of complete FSWP applications are processed within six months or less.

What is CRS Federal Skilled Worker Draw?

The Federal Skilled Worker programme is one of several that holds regular draws from the Express Entry pool. Candidates whose CRS scores are higher than a predetermined cutoff are asked to apply for permanent residence during these draws.

What is Federal Skilled Worker Programme Cutoff Score?

Each Express Entry draw determines the Federal Skilled Worker programme cutoff score. That is the minimal CRS score needed to be accepted for a permanent residency invitation to apply (ITA). The amount of candidates in the pool and the government’s immigration objectives can affect the cutoff score from one draw to the next.

What is CRS Cutoff Federal Skilled Worker?

The minimum CRS score needed in an Express Entry draw to be granted an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence is known as the CRS cutoff for the Federal Skilled Worker programme. The amount of candidates in the pool and the Canadian government’s immigration objectives determine this cutoff, which is different for every draw.

Federal Skilled Worker Program Process

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