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Watch our detailed FSWP video to help you make the move to Canada through the country's flagship immigration program.
Updated 5 days ago
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Who is it for? Professionals and skilled workers around the world who want to immigrate to Canada permanently can do so through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Candidates can apply with their spouse/partner and dependent children.
What is the processing time for Federal Skilled Worker Program? 80 percent of complete applications are processed within six months or less.
Who can help me with my Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program? View our Book an Immigration Consultant page for a list of recommended experts.
Since 2015, federal skilled worker (FSW) applications have been managed under the Express Entry selection system.
We expect 50,000 more invites to be issued this year. Use our resources to get one.
Watch this three-minute video to understand the basics of FSW and get an understanding of what you can do to improve your chances of increasing your points score for an FSW Program in Canada. This video is intended to be viewed in conjunction with this page to give you a full idea of what moving to Canada through the FSW Program is like. So, if you have questions on anything aspect of the FSW Program then the answers should be outlined in the video below.
Express Entry allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite eligible candidates to make an application for permanent residence.
These candidates have all made a formal ‘Expression of Interest’ to settle in Canada by creating an online Express Entry profile. Eligible candidates have their profiles accepted to the Express Entry pool where they are given a score and ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on the personal information they provided.
In addition to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the pool contains candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC). IRCC then invites candidates to apply during its Express Entry draws from the pool.
For Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates there are two distinct advantages, and one possible disadvantage, under Express Entry.
Let’s go over the eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, as it is not enough just to have skilled work experience.
In order to be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must meet several minimum eligibility criteria:
If you meet these minimum requirements, you may be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile. However, please note that being eligible does not guarantee that you’ll be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. Express Entry is a competitive immigration selection system, so only the highest ranking FSWC candidates will be invited to apply.
Use our resources to be one of them.
In order to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on this points grid. Please note that this is a completely separate points system from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to ranking all Express Entry profiles.
Six factors are considered under the Federal Skilled Worker Program points grid. Click on any of the slides below to learn more.
Up to 24 FSW Canada points may be awarded for your first language ability, with a further four Federal Skilled Worker points on offer if you can prove ability in a second language. An additional five FSW points may be obtained if your spouse/common-law partner, if applicable, also proves language ability; these Federal Skilled Worker Canada points are available under the ‘adaptability’ factor, outlined below.
All candidates, regardless of background, are required to prove language ability in English and/or French. There are four tests recognized for the purpose of assessing language ability:
1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
2. CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
3. TEF (Test d’Évaluation de Français)
4. TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada)
In order to gauge a common equivalence of ability among Express Entry candidates who take different tests, test scores are converted into what are known as Canadian Language Benchmarks, or CLBs, which range from 1 to 10. Federal skilled worker (FSW) candidates who obtain a test score equivalent to 9 or higher in any single language ability in their first language are awarded the full number of FSWP points available for that ability.
CELPIP test results align with CLBs perfectly, whereas IELTS, TEF, and TCF results do not.
FSWP points are assigned on the following basis:
Federal skilled worker points for level of education are assessed on the following basis:
Some notes on work experience and the Federal Skilled Worker Program:
Federal skilled worker points work experience are available on the following basis.
Federal skilled worker points for age are available on the following basis:
Having ‘arranged employment’ in Canada can result in 10 points being awarded. This is when a federal skilled worker candidate receives a qualifying offer of full-time employment in Canada under one of the following scenarios:
The candidate is currently working in Canada on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permit in a skilled occupation.
The candidate is currently working in Canada on a LMIA-exempt work permit or a work permit issued under a provincial/territorial agreement.
The candidate holds a valid Canadian work permit or is otherwise authorized to work in Canada, but does not fall into either of the above scenarios.
The candidate does not hold a valid Canadian work permit.
In any of the above scenarios, 10 FSW points may be awarded under the arranged employment factor. A further five FSW points may be awarded for arranged employment under the adaptability factor (see below).
Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates may obtain up to 10 points under the adaptability factor, which assesses individuals’ and families’ ability to become established in Canada from an economic and social point of view.
Though the table below shows the various ways whereby a candidate may be awarded points under this factor, please note that you ‘max out’ once you receive 10 points for adaptability.
*The relative must be at least 18 years of age and may be the relative of the candidate or his or her spouse/common-law partner. The relative may be a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, and the relative must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
To find out if you may be eligible for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program, head over to our Express Entry CRS Calculator. You’ll discover your eligibility for all three federal economic immigration programs managed under Express Entry, plus you’ll get an idea of your potential CRS score and competitiveness within Express Entry.
Find out your eligibility and points total here.
Looking for Express Entry updates but fed up with scouring the internet? Now you can get the latest Express Entry news and expert insight delivered to your inbox.
Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates without a valid offer of arranged employment must declare sufficient settlement funds upon entering the Express Entry pool. This declaration must then be proven when an application for permanent residence is made.
The requirement increases depending on family size.
These funds must be available and transferable, and unencumbered by debts or other obligations. The settlement funds requirement must be met at the time the application is made, as well as when the permanent resident visa is issued.
Canada has opened up the Federal Skilled Worker Program to a diverse range of workers, including workers with experience in any skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3). If you are unsure whether or not your work experience is considered skilled, use this tool to learn more.
There are hundreds of occupations that are considered skilled.
Let’s look at the process — from checking your eligibility, to getting your Permanent Resident (PR) card.
Using the eligibility criteria outlined above, ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for the program for work experience, language proficiency, and education. Plus, make sure you check your score on the FSW points grid.
In order to create your Express Entry profile, you’ll need three types of documents:
This step is completed on the IRCC website. You will be asked to provide some personal information, some of which is self-declared (such as your work history), and some of which must be accompanied with the documents from the previous step.
If your CRS score is below the cut-off required to receive an invitation to apply, consult our guide on how to improve your CRS score.
One popular method of increasing your CRS score is to re-take your language tests. If your scores could be improved, it may be worthwhile to take some time to study and then sit the exam again.
There are other potential ways to improve your ranking, such as completing additional work experience or seeing if you are eligible under one of the Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program streams, particularly those in the province in which you work(ed). Your experience and skills may be in demand in the province, and so there could be a 600-point bonus waiting for you.
This is arguably the step that brings the most joy, as it allows you and your family, if applicable, to submit an application for permanent residence. From this point, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application. ITAs are issued when IRCC conducts one of its draws from the Express Entry pool.
All Federal Skilled Worker applicants are screened for potential medical and criminal inadmissibility. With your application, you will need to show that you have completed a medical exam with an IRCC-recognized panel physician.
In addition, you have to provide a police background check (also known as a clearance certificate) from each country you have lived in for at least six months since the age of 18. The e-application, which must be submitted within 60 days of receiving an ITA, must also include detailed work reference letters from previous employers.
Given the tight time frame, it is a good idea to gather the background checks and work reference letters before you receive an ITA.
A Canadian immigration officer will review the submitted e-application and let you know if anything else is required.
80 percent of applications submitted under the Federal Skilled Worker Program are processed within less than six months. When a person is approved, he or she receives a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) document. An officer at a Canadian port of entry or at a IRCC office signs and dates this document when permanent residence is granted.
Once you have your confirmation of status, you may then apply for your PR card. If you travel outside Canada, you may use this card as proof of your status in Canada.
Whether it’s preparing your Express Entry profile, increasing your CRS score, applying for permanent residence, or securing a job, our Moving2Canada newsletter makes sure you never miss a step.
No, a job offer is not required to qualify under the FSW program however an approved job offer will give you additional eligibility points.
Yes, a spouse or common-law partner can be included in an FSW application. In fact, you can secure additional eligibility points if your spouse provides sufficient English or French language results.
No, there is no age limit to the FSW program although, the older you are, the less points you will get under the age factor. In this case, you will need to score higher in the other areas to qualify.
Yes. For work experience to count, it needs to be full-time or full-time equivalent (part-time) skilled experience. Full time work experience is classed as 30 hours a week. Anything below this is considered part-time. To work out the full- time equivalent to part-time work, divide the number of hours worked a week by 30 and times by the number of months worked. This will give you the number of full-time equivalent months worked.
Yes, you can include work experience acquired as a student so long as you where paid a salary for the job.
To apply under the FSW program, applicants may need to provide the following documents:
Depending on individual credentials, applicants may need to show additional documents to those listed above.
Yes, when applying under the FSW program, applicants will need to pay government processing fees. When you apply, you must pay a processing fee of CAD $950 for the main applicant and spouse included on the application and CAD $260 for each dependent child listed in the application. You also must pay a Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) of CAD $575 per adult.
All FSW applicants will need to be admissible to Canada to be successful. Applicants with a criminal background or medical issue may be inadmissible to come to Canada.
If you have a medical or criminal issue which may make you inadmissible to Canada, consider booking in for a consultation with one of our recommended Immigration Consultants.
We have designed the Express Entry Roadmap: a free service designed to inform you about the Express Entry process so that you can be empowered to make the best decisions when it comes to your immigration. Sign up for the Express Entry Roadmap here.
Do you need assistance in preparing an application for Canadian permanent residence? If so, view our Book an Immigration Consultant page to see Moving2Canada’s list of recommended, accredited representatives who can assist you in your goals.
Join our community of Express Entry applicants who rely on the Moving2Canada updates and resources to manage their Express Entry application. Sign up for our free newsletter to access all the information and resources you need for a successful Express Entry application.
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