Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is Canada’s primary economic immigration pathway that offers skilled workers, and their loved ones, the opportunity to become permanent residents of Canada. The first step in pursuing permanent residence in Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker is to make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online Express Entry profile.

Based on the information provided under the Express Entry system, Federal Skilled Worker candidates obtain a score under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) that determines their ranking in the pool of eligible candidates. Periodically, the Government of Canada issues Invitations To Apply (ITAs) to the highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool and publishes the CRS cut-off score.

Minimum Requirements

Six Selection Factors

Clients must score 67 points or higher to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The six selection factors are listed below:

Settlement funds

Once invited to apply, Federal Skilled Workers will need to prove they can become economically established in Canada with their dependent family members. The settlement funds requirement is waived for foreign nationals that are currently authorized to work in Canada and/or those who have arranged employment in Canada.

Government of Canada continuously updates the table that shows how much funds are needed to settle in Canada.

Federal Skilled Worker applicants must also reach a total of at least 67 points based on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s selection factors. Each of these selection factors are discussed in detail below:

Education

Level of Education
Points (25 max)
Doctoral (PhD) level
25
Master's level or professional degree
23
Two or more post-secondary credentials, one of which is a three-year or longer post - secondary credential
22
Three-year or longer post - secondary credential
21
Two - year post - secondary credential
19
One - year post - secondary credential
Secondary school / high school diploma

Language Skill

Proficiency
IELTS Score Equivalence
Points Per Ability
CLB Level 9 or higher
IELTS (L-8, R-7, S-7, W-7)
6 points per ability
CLB Level 8
IELTS (L-7.5, R-6.5, S-6.5, W-6.5)
5 points per ability
CLB Level 7
IELTS (L-6, R-6, S-6, W-6)
4 points per ability
Below CLB Level 7
Not eligible to apply
Not eligible to apply

Work Experience

Up to 15 points are awarded under the work experience factor, based upon the number of years of experience. The applicant requires at least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work), and points can be earned for up to six years of work experience. This work experience must be acquired in an occupation listed by the Government of Canada as having a 0, A or B NOC code.

Work Experience
Points (15 max)
1 year (at least one year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total)
9
2-3 years
11
4-5 years
13
6 years or more
15

Arranged Employment

A candidate can get points if they have a job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer. They must get the job offer before they apply to come to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker.

A valid job offer has to be:
For continuous, paid, full-time work (minimum of 30 hours/week) that is:
  • not seasonal
  • for at least 1 year in an occupation listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC.

To get 10 points for a valid job offer, 1 of these situations must also apply

Applicant is currently working in Canada on a work permit and meets all of the following conditions:

  • Applicants work permit is valid both at the time of the application and when the permanent resident visa is issued (or if the applicant is allowed to work in Canada without a work permit when visa is issued).
  • In receipt of a work permit based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada in an occupation listed under skill type 0 or skill level A or B of the NOC.
  • Applicant is working for an employer named on the work permit.
  • That employer has made a valid job offer based on thw applicant being accepted as a skilled worker.

Applicant is currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement because of an international agreement (such as, the North American Free Trade Agreement) or significant benefit to Canadian interests or a federal-provincial agreement. The applicant must also meet all of the following conditions:

  • Applicants work permit is valid both at the time of the application and when the permanent resident visa is issued (or if the applicant is allowed to work in Canada without a permit when visa is issued).
  • Applicant's current employer has made a valid job offer based on them being accepted as a skilled worker.
  • Applicant is currently working for the employer specified on the work permit.
  • Applicant has been working for that employer for at least 1 year, continuous full-time or part-time equivalent.

Applicant must meet all of the following conditions:

  • The applicant currently is not currently in receipt of a work permit, or does not have any plans to work in Canada before a permanent resident visa is issued.
  • An employer has a LMIA.
  • That employer has made the applicant a valid job offer based on that LMIA and on the applicant being accepted as a skilled worker.

The Applicant must meet all of the following conditions:

  • Applicant must have a valid work permit or is allowed to work in Canada without a work permit.
  • Applicant is currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from a LMIA, but it is not under an international, federal-provincial agreement or because of significant benefit to Canadian interests.
  • An employer other than the one applicant is currently working for:
    • has a LMIA
    • has made a valid job offer based on that LMIA and on being accepted as a skilled worker.

Important Note

Individuals in Canada whose applications are accepted for review under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and whose temporary work permit is due to expire, may be eligible for a Bridging Open Work Permit. This work permit will allow them to stay and work in Canada until a final decision has been made on their immigration application.

Adaptability

Up to 10 points can be awarded under the Adaptability factor, based on an applicant’s ability to establish themselves in Canada. These 10 points can be awarded for full-time work in Canada, spouse or common-law partner’s merits, or a combination of six other possible adaptability factors. Points are awarded under Adaptability based on qualifications that are expected to improve an applicant’s ability to become economically established in Canada as follows:

Adaptability
Points (15 max)
1 year (at least one year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total)
9
2-3 years
11
4-5 years
13
6 years or more
15

Age

Up to 12 points will be awarded under the age factor on the following basis:

Age of Applicant
Points (12 Max)
18 to 35
12
36
11
37
10
38
9
39
8
40
7
41
6
Age of Applicant
Points (12 Max)
42
5
43
4
44
3
45
2
46
1
47 and over
0

Let's Talk

Get Started

Embark on your immigration journey with East West Migration today. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable consultants. Let us help you achieve your goals of building a new life, backed by our dedication to excellence and client-focused service.

East West Migration is ISO 9001-2015 certified company and recognised by Member of Multilateral Recognition arrangement (IAF) With 18+ years of industry experience

+917622000255

(WhatsApp only)

Policies

Newsletter

You have been successfully Subscribed! Ops! Something went wrong, please try again.

© 2024 All Rights are Reserved. 

Scroll To Top