The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has been a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration system for an extensive period, pioneering the use of an objective and points-based evaluation system worldwide. As one of the three skilled worker programs under Canada’s Express Entry system, the FSWP remains a vital avenue for immigration, and this overview aims to provide key insights into its fundamental aspects.
Benefits Of The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Express Entry System: The FSWP operates within the Express Entry application management system, making it the preferred choice for many successful candidates.
- Career Success: Research by the Canadian government indicates that immigrants who choose the FSWP tend to establish successful and satisfying careers in Canada.
- Quick Permanent Residence: One of the major advantages is the swift process of obtaining permanent residence, usually within six months. This is notably faster compared to other skilled worker programs in Canada.
Immigration Process with the FSWP
- Eligibility Check: Use Canada Visa’s free eligibility tool to confirm if you meet the criteria for the FSWP.
- Express Entry Profile Submission: Create and submit your Express Entry profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
- Draw Monitoring: Regularly check Express Entry draws conducted by IRCC, occurring approximately every two weeks, to see if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
- Application Submission: Upon receiving an ITA, proceed to submit your completed permanent residence application to IRCC. After the application processing, you can make your move to Canada.
Eligibility Criteria
Work Experience Criteria
- Candidates must have a minimum of 1 year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience within the last ten years.
- The work experience should be in a skilled occupation categorized under the TEER NOC levels 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Language Proficiency Requirements
- Language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 is mandatory.
- Proficiency must cover all language abilities, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking, in either English or French.
Educational Qualifications
- Candidates should possess a Canadian high school or equivalent in foreign education like a certificate, diploma, or degree.
- Alternatively, a foreign educational credential must be accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
Point-Based System
- A minimum of 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP grid is required for eligibility.
- The assessment considers factors such as age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language ability, and adaptability.
Settlement Funds Criteria
- Applicants may need to meet settlement funds criteria, demonstrating a certain amount of savings to support themselves financially upon their arrival in Canada.
- This requirement ensures candidates have the means to establish themselves in the country.
Residence In Canada
- Applicant must intend to live outside the province of Quebec
Settlement Funds
The funds you need to support your family is based on the size of your family as mentioned below.
| Family Members | Funds Required (CAD) |
Approx. (INR) (1 CAD = 60.05 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CAD 13,757 | 8,26,242 |
| 2 | CAD 17,127 | 10,28,643 |
| 3 | CAD 21,055 | 12,64,575 |
| 4 | CAD 25,564 | 15,35,388 |
| 5 | CAD 28,994 | 17,41,395 |
| 6 | CAD 32,700 | 19,63,953 |
| 7 | CAD 36,407 | 21,86,594 |
| For each additional family member |
CAD 3,706 | 2,22,581 |
Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligible Occupations
The candidate must have minimum 1 year of work experience in an occupation skill NOC TEER 0,1,2 or 3
Selection Factors
The FSWP’s selection factors are mentioned below:
| Factors | Points |
| Education | Up to 25 points |
| Language Skills | Up to 28 points |
| Work Experience | Up to 15 points |
| Age | Up to 12 points |
| Arranged Employment | Up to 10 points |
| Adaptability | Up to 10 points |
Minimum Pass Score 67 Points
| Education Level | Points |
| Doctoral / Ph.D | 25 |
| Master’s | 23 |
| Two or more post-secondary degrees – with one for a program of minimum 3 years | 22 |
| Post-secondary degree – 3 years or longer | 21 |
| Post-secondary degree – 2 years | 19 |
| Post-secondary degree – 1 year | 15 |
| Secondary school | 5 |
| Maximum Points | 25 |
Language Testing System
IELTS: International English Language Testing System:
First official language (maximum 24 points)
| Test results for each ability | |||||
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 5 |
| 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| 10 and above | 7.5-9.0 | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 | 6 |
| Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities) | |||||
| Test results for each ability | |||||
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points (total) |
| 5 and above | 5.0-9.0 | 5.0-9.0 | 4.0-9.0 | 5.0-9.0 | 4 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities)
| CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program | |||||
| First official language (maximum 24 points) | |||||
| Test results for each ability | |||||
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points per ability |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 |
| CELPIP-G | |||||
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 5 |
| CELPIP-G | |||||
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| CELPIP-G | |||||
| 10 and above | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 10+ | 6 |
| CELPIP-G | |||||
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities)
|
Test results for each ability |
|||||
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | Points (total) |
| 5 and above | 12-May | 12-May | 12-May | 12-May | 4 |
TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français:
First official language (maximum 24 points)
|
Test results for each ability |
|||||
| NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | Points (per ability) |
|
7 |
456-493 | 434-461 | 434-461 | 428-471 |
4 |
|
8 |
494-517 | 462-502 | 462-502 | 472-511 |
5 |
|
9 and above |
518+ | 503+ | 503+ | 512+ |
6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities)
|
Test results for each ability |
|||||
| NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | Points (total) |
|
5 and above |
387-518+ | 352-503+ | 352-503+ | 330-512+ |
4 |
TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
First official language (maximum 24 points)
| Test results for each ability | |||||
| NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | Points (per ability) |
| 7 | 11-Oct | 458-502 | 453-498 | 11-Oct | 4 |
| 8 | 13-Dec | 503-522 | 499-523 | 13-Dec | 5 |
| 9 and above | 14+ | 523+ | 524+ | 14+ | 6 |
Second official language (4 points if you meet the minimum threshold in each of the four language abilities)
|
Test results for each ability |
|||||
| NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) | Points (total) |
|
5 and above |
6+ | 369-397+ | 375-405+ | 6+ |
4 |
| Age (Years) | Points |
| Below 18 years | 0 |
| 18-35 years | 12 |
| 36 years | 11 |
| 37 years | 10 |
| 38 years | 9 |
| 39 years | 8 |
| 40 years | 7 |
| 41 years | 6 |
| 42 years | 5 |
| 43 years | 4 |
| 44 years | 3 |
| 45 years | 2 |
| 46 years | 1 |
| 47 and above | 0 |
| Maximum Points | 12 |
| Work Experience | Points |
| Maximum Points | 15 |
| Arranged Employment | Points | |
| Situation 1 – If currently work in Canada on a temporary work permit and: | – Your work permit is valid when you apply as well as while visa is issued, or authorized to work in Canada without a work permit & – IRCC issued your work permit based on a positive LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) in an occupation in TEER 0,1,2 or 3 of NOC & – You are working for an employer named on your work permit & – That employer has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker. |
10 |
| Situation 2 – You currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement under an international agreement (such as, the North America Free Trade Agreement) or significant benefit to Canadian interests or a federal-provincial agreement and: | – Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the PR visa is issued (or you are allowed to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued) & – Your current employer has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker – You are working for the employer specified on your work permit & – You have been working for that employer for at least 1 year continuous full time or part time equivalent. |
10 |
| Situation 3 –
– You currently do not have a work permit, or do not plan to work in Canada before you get a permanent resident visa & – An employer has made you a valid job offer based on that LMIA and you being accepted as a skilled worker Situation 4 – – You have a work permit or authorized to work in Canada without a work permit & – You are currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment, but not under an international or federal-provincial agreement or because of significant benefit to Canadian interests |
10 | |
| Maximum | 10 | |
| Adaptability | Points |
| Your past work in Canada
You did at least one year of full-time work in Canada: – TEER NOC 0,1,2, or 3 & – With a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada. |
10 |
| Your past studies in Canada
You completed at least two academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, and you must have stayed in good academic standing during that time (as set out by the school). |
5 |
| Your spouse or partner’s past studies in Canada
Your spouse or common-law partner completed at least 2 academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, and stayed in good academic standing during that time (as set out by the school). |
5 |
| Your spouse or common-law partner’s past work in Canada
Your spouse or common-law partner did at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada. |
5 |
| Arranged Employment in Canada
You earned points for having: Arranged Employment |
5 |
| Your spouse or partner’s language level
Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities. |
5 |
| Relatives in Canada
You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is living in Canada and 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, who must be a:
|
5 |
| Maximum | 10 |
FAQs
What's the difference between the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) eligibility points from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score?
FSW eligibility points focus on specific criteria and require a minimum of 67 points, while the CRS score considers various factors like age, education, work experience, and language skills. Everyone in the Express Entry pool gets a CRS score, but FSW candidates need to meet a separate minimum score for eligibility.
What constitutes foreign work experience?
Foreign work experience for FSW means having worked for at least one year, either full-time or part-time, outside of Canada within the past 10 years. It should be in a job that's considered managerial, professional, or skilled.
How can I compute CRS points for foreign work experience?
CRS points for foreign work experience are part of skill transferability factors. Candidates can get the most points by having three or more years of foreign work experience. You can find detailed points breakdown in official tables.
What does "equal part-time work experience" mean?
It means either having more than one part-time job at the same time or working part-time hours that add up to full-time hours over a year. If your part-time jobs each were more than 30 hours per week, add up the weeks worked. If not, calculate the total hours to match 1,560 hours, which is equal to one year of full-time work.
What are the options for determining FSW points for part-time work experience?
You can get FSW points for part-time work by either adding up hours worked per week in two or more part-time skilled jobs or by combining total hours worked in one part-time job over two or more years
What are the minimum eligibility requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)?
To be eligible, you need to have worked for at least one year in the last 10 years, be good at English or French (CLB 7), have a certain level of education, and score at least 67 points on six immigration selection factors.
What if I do not meet the language requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker application?
If you do not speak, listen, read, and write well enough (Canadian Language Benchmark 7), your application would not be considered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Can a person apply directly for permanent residence under the FSWP?
No, you need Invitations to Apply (ITAs) through regular draws in the Express Entry system to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Is there an eligible occupations list?
No, you just need to have worked for at least one year in the past decade in an occupation classified under Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) as skill level 0, 1, 2, or 3.
What documents are required to support an FSWP application?
When you get an Express Entry ITA, you'll need to submit various documents, including completed forms, government fees, identity and civil status documents, education and training proofs, language test results, and proof of settlement funds.
Can family members be included in an FSWP application?
Yes, you can include your spouse, dependent children, and dependent children of your spouse or common-law partner.
Does work experience have to be related to education for recognition?
No, your work experience does not have to match your education. As long as you did the duties of the job, it counts.
Is a Canadian job offer required for FSWP qualification?
No, but having a job offer from a Canadian employer can give you extra points under the CRS, depending on the job.
How can I improve my Express Entry CRS score for the FSWP?
You can improve your score by getting all the points you're eligible for, having your spouse be the main applicant if they score higher, preparing well for language tests, and getting a job offer or a provincial nomination.
Are points awarded if a candidate has a close relative in Canada?
Yes, you can get points if you or your spouse/common-law partner have a close relative in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident.
How much is the processing for an FSW Application?
FSW Express Entry profiles are valid for 12 months, and processing takes about six months. It can be longer depending on how complicated your application is and how long it takes to check your information.
Is there an age restriction for the FSW program?
There's no specific age limit, but you start losing points after you turn 35, which affects your CRS score.
Can I include my spouse and children in my FSW application?
Yes, you can include your spouse and children, and it might affect your CRS score.
Is it possible to include my parents in my FSW application?
No, you can not include your parents, but you might be able to sponsor them after you become a permanent resident.
What is accepted as proof of settlement funds?
Proof of funds must be in your name or your spouse/common-law partner's name, and it should have specific details on the bank's letterhead.
Can one still apply without demonstrating sufficient settlement funds?
Yes, if you have a job offer from a Canadian company, you can still apply as a Federal Skilled Worker, which gives an alternative for those who might not have enough settlement funds.
How can I make sure I get the most points for adaptability in the Federal Skilled Worker program?
To earn the most adaptability points, having work experience in Canada is crucial. You can get 10 points by working in Canada for at least one year in a skilled job. Other factors like language skills, education in Canada, your spouse's work experience, having family in Canada, or a job offer here can each get you 5 points, but the most you can get is 10
Can I apply for the Federal Skilled Worker program if I'm over 46 years old?
Yes, you can apply, but being older would not give you any extra points. If you're over 46, you would not get any points for your age. However, your application will still be looked at by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
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