Federal Skilled Worker Program

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Migrate / Canada / Federal Skilled Worker Program


The federal skilled worker program is Canada's primary immigration program, allowing foreign skilled workers to settle in Canada with permanent residency in order to meet the country's workforce and economic needs.

Although this program was established in 1967, candidates are now invited to apply through the Express Entry System, which was launched in 2015. This is a five-year multiple-entry visa that allows foreign skilled workers to work and live in Canada.

You can stay in any province in Canada with the FSW program, except Quebec, which has a different PR system.

Requirements

  1. Skilled Work Experience
  2. Language Ability
  3. Experience

If you meet these requirements, there are six selection factors that will be used to determine your eligibility.

The benefits of the FSWP

The FSWP is now managed by the Express Entry application management system. Canada hopes to welcome over 110,000 immigrants through Express Entry by 2024. The FSWP is used by the majority of successful Express Entry candidates to immigrate to Canada. According to Canadian government research, FSWP immigrants have successful and fulfilling careers in Canada.
Furthermore, pursuing immigration through the FSWP is advantageous because you can obtain permanent residence in six months, as opposed to the longer processing times for Canada's other skilled worker programs.



How the immigration process works with the FSWP

The Express Entry application management system is used by Canada for three skilled worker programs, including the FSWP.
If you have never lived in Canada and are not a skilled trades professional, the FSWP is the best Express Entry option for you. First, determine whether you meet the FSWP's eligibility requirements.
You then submit an Express Entry profile. Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will be determined by factors such as your age, education, language skills, and work experience.
The Canadian government holds Express Entry draws every two weeks, inviting the candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. You can expect to receive your permanent residence status within six months of submitting your completed application and then move to Canada.

Here is a step-by-step guide to pursuing immigration to Canada via the FSWP

  • Step 1: Determine whether you are eligible for the FSWP. Canada Visa offers a free eligibility checker.
  • Step 2: Upload your Express Entry profile to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website (IRCC).
  • Step 3: Determine whether you have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Every two weeks, the IRCC holds Express Entry draws.
  • Step 4: If you receive an ITA, submit your completed permanent residence application to IRCC. After IRCC has processed your application, you will be able to relocate to Canada.

Eligibility :

A minimum of 67 points out of 100 are required to apply for the federal skilled worker (FSW) program.
The minimum requirements are:

  • One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in a skilled occupation classified as National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B in the previous ten years;
  • Validated language ability in English or French equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking); and
  • Canadian or foreign educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
  • Obtain at least 67 points out of a possible 100 on the FSWP grid. The grid used by the program evaluates candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language ability, and adaptability.
  • Comply with the settlement funds criteria (if applicable). Candidates may be required to show that they have a certain amount of savings to support themselves financially once they arrive in Canada.

You can join the Express Entry pool once you are eligible. The CRS is used to rank candidate profiles in the Express Entry pool, which also includes Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class candidates.


Six Selection Factors of FSW Program

Each factor is given a certain number of points, resulting in a 100-point grid. You will be eligible to apply if you score 67 or higher out of 100.
The FSWP's selection factors are listed below.

Selection Factors 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


1. Age

A maximum of 12 points are allocated based on your age. Below is the point grid for the age factor.

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


2. Education

If you studied in Canada, you must have a diploma or certificate from a high school or post-secondary institution.
You must provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report if you completed your education outside of Canada.

Education Qualification Maximum Points
University degree or equivalent to PhD 25 points
Holding a Master's Degree 23 points
Holding a Double-Bachelor Degree 22 points
Bachelor's Degree 21 points
3 Years Diploma Course after Higher Secondary 19 points
3 Years Diploma Course after High School 15 points
High School 5 points


3. Work Experience

Your work experience can earn you up to 15 points. You must have one year of full-time skilled work experience or equivalent part-time work experience for this.

Work Experience Points
1 year 9 points
2-3 years 11 points
4-5 years 13 points
6 years or more 15 points


4. Language Skills

To apply for a study visa, PR, or work permit, you must be able to communicate in English or one of the country's official languages. Similarly, in order to apply for a Federal Skilled Worker visa in Canada, you must be fluent in English, French, or both.

You can earn up to 28 points for your language skills in English and French by writing, reading, listening, and speaking. You must also take an approved language test to demonstrate your language proficiency.

IELTS Test for English

First official language (Maximum 24 points)
CLB Level Speaking Listening Reading Writing Points per ability
7 6.0 6.0 - 7.0 6.0 6.0 4
8 6.5 7.5 6.5 6.5 5
9 7.0 8.0 7.0 7.0 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 all four language abilities)
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



5. Arranged Employment in Canada

You will receive a maximum of 10 points if you have a job offer from a Canadian organization. In addition, a valid job offer must be for at least one year full-time in an occupation listed as Skilled Type 0, A, or B on the NOC.
And to get 10 points one of the below situations must also apply.


Step 1 :

  • Currently working in Canada on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permit in a skilled occupation.
  • The work permit must be valid when the application is made.
  • The employer has made a full-time job offer in a skilled occupation to the candidate.

Step 2 :

  • The candidate is currently working in Canada under an LMIA-exempt work permit or a provincial/territorial agreement.
  • When the application is made, the work permit must be valid, and the employer must have made a full-time job offer in a skilled occupation to the candidate.

Step 3 :

  • The candidate has a valid Canadian work permit or is otherwise authorized to work in Canada, but does not fit into either of the scenarios listed above.
  • The work permit authorization is valid at the time the application is submitted.
  • A prospective employer has made a permanent, full-time job offer to the candidate, which is supported by a positive LMIA.

Step 4 :

  • The candidate does not hold a valid Canadian work permit.
  • A prospective employer has offered a permanent, full-time job to the candidate and this job offer is supported by a positive LMIA.



6. Adaptability

You can increase the score by providing your spouse's factors like education, work experience, and language proficiency (if applicable)

Adaptability Factors Maximum points
Your spouse or partner's skills 5 Points
If pursued your education in Canada 5 Points
Your spouse or partner's skills 5 Points
If your spouse or partner has pursued an education in Canada 5 Points
If having your previous work experience in Canada 10 Points
If your spouse is having past work experience in Canada 5 Points
If you have an arranged employment 5 Points
If you have any relatives living in Canada 5 Points



Proof of Funds

Candidates who are unable to obtain a job offer from a Canadian company must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to settle in Canada. Furthermore, the size of the applicant's family influences the proof of funds.

Proof of Funds Required for :

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program

Proof of Funds Not Required for :

  • Canadian Experience Class, or
  • if applying under FSWP or FSTP with (1) a valid job offer and (2) authorization to work in Canada

Amount needed is as per the size of your family - yourself, your spouse, your dependent children, as well as the dependent children of your spouse.
Spouse and dependent children have to be included for Express Entry proof of funds calculation even if they will not be coming to Canada with you.
The funds are to be readily available to you.

IRCC Express Entry Proof of Funds Requirement in 2022

Number of family members Funds required in Canadian dollars (CAD)
1 CAD 13,310
2 CAD 16,570
3 CAD 20,371
4 CAD 24,733
5 CAD 28,052
6 CAD 31,638
7 CAD 35,224
For each additional family member CAD 3,586


Application procedure for Federal Skilled Worker visa

Below is the step by step process from eligibility check to getting your Canadian PR through the FSW Program.

Step 1 : Check Your Eligibility

If you meet the minimum requirements, use the above Federal Skilled Worker point's calculator or the point grid to see if you can get a minimum of 67 points.

Step 2 : Create Express Entry Profile

To create your Express Entry profile, you must submit the three documents listed below to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

  • Identification - A Valid Passport
  • Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
  • Language Proficiency Test Results

Every applicant for an FSW Canada draw is screened for medical and criminal inadmissibility. So, in addition to these three documents, you must provide the following:

  • IRCC recognized panel physician medical examination report
  • Certificate of police clearance from a local police station
  • Employment letters from previous employers

Before moving on, you should check your CRS Score; if it is lower than the average cut-off score, our immigration expert can advise you on how to raise it.

Step 3 : Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

If an applicant is granted an ITA for Canadian PR, he or she will have 60 days to file an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).

Step 4 : Review of your e-application& Getting Canadian PR

A Canadian Immigration officer will review your application and notify you if additional information is needed. If everything checks out, your application will be approved and you will receive a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) document.

Step 5 : Apply for a PR card

After receiving your confirmation of status, you may apply for your PR card. If you travel outside of Canada, you can use this card to prove your Canadian citizenship.

Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligible Occupations

To apply for the FSW program, you must have work experience in the skill types listed below.

Skill Type 0 (zero) : Management jobs, such as restaurant managers, retail and wholesale trade managers, foodservice and hospitality managers, and others.

Skill Level A : Professional jobs that typically require a university degree, such as Information Technology (IT) occupations, engineering and construction occupations, legal occupations, and others.

Skill Level B : Technical jobs and skilled trades that typically require a college diploma or apprenticeship training, such as chefs, plumbers, general office workers, retail salespeople, and others.

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