Express Entry: Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Programs allow experienced skilled workers to start their careers in Canada as permanent residents. The IRCC manages this program under the Express Entry System. With this system, moving to Canada is a cup of tea. The applicants with the highest comprehensive ranking score (CRS) get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. However, once the individuals get the ITA, they need to apply within 60 days. 


The FSWP has its point system based on various factors. These factors assess the candidate's eligibility and whether the applicants can settle in Canada or not. Before applying for permanent residency, it would be better if individuals had years of experience and skills that are in demand for the occupation.

Requirement for Federal Skilled Worker Program

  • Professional work experience 

  • Language proficiency

  • Educational background

  • Adequate amount of funds

Eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program has a point-grid system to check the eligibility criteria. There are six factors to consider for FSWP eligibility. Once meeting all the outlined minimum criteria, the IRCC will evaluate your application based on the following factors:


  • Educational background

  • Age

  • Professional experience

  • Possession of a valid job offer

  • Proficiency in English and/or French

  • Adaptability, which reflects your potential to integrate into the country

List of eligible occupations under the FSWP

Federal Skilled Workers are individuals who fulfill specific criteria related to age, work experience, educational qualifications, and language proficiency in either English or French. They are selected through the Express Entry Immigration Program to obtain a Canadian Permanent Residency Visa.


Those Federal Skilled Workers who fall within 347 eligible occupations under the Express Entry System may submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile, provided they meet the minimum admission requirements. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is utilized to evaluate the applicant's profiles.


Candidates who achieve a higher ranking within the Express Entry pool are allowed to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Canadian Federal Authorities for the Canada PR Visa. Following the receipt of the ITA, candidates are allotted three months to submit a complete application along with the necessary documentation.

FSWP 67 Points Calculator

  • Language: -28 points

  • Education: -25 points

  • Work experience: -15 points

  • Age: -12 points

  • Arranged employment: -10 points

  • Adaptability: -10 points

Language

Language serves as the most significant and prominent element affecting your score. The 67-point assessment utilized by Canada measures your proficiency in English and French. It is essential to possess complete fluency in at least one of these languages, as they are commonly spoken throughout Canada. In the language component of the 67-point immigration system, you can achieve a maximum of 28 points. 


Listening

Reading

Writing

Speaking

Max Points

8

7

7

7

24

7.5

7

7

7

23

8

6.5

7

6.5

22

8

7

6

6

20

7.5

6.5

6.5

6.5

20

6

6

6

6

16

Education

Your educational qualifications are critically significant for the FSW 67 points calculator. If you have obtained any degrees from a Canadian university, you are required to provide an Educational Credential Assessment report for those qualifications. Your academic credentials include graduate and undergraduate degrees, certifications, diplomas, and high school certificates. In this category, you can earn a maximum of 25 points out of the total 67 points available for immigration to Canada.


Qualification

Points

Doctoral level

25 Points

Master's level or professional degree

23 Points

Two or more post-secondary credentials, one of which is a three-year or longer post-secondary credential

22 Points

Three-year or longer post-secondary credential

21 Points

Two-year post-secondary credential

19 Points

One-year post-secondary credential

15 Points

Secondary school

5 Points

Secondary school not completed

0 Point

Work Experience

This assessment targets skilled workers;  having work experience is crucial for the FSW 67 points calculator. If you possess a minimum of one year of full-time work experience, defined as at least 30 hours per week, your likelihood of obtaining permanent residency increases significantly. Greater work experience correlates with improved prospects. In this category, you can achieve a maximum of 15 points. Those with more than six years of work experience will receive 15 points in the 67-point assessment.


Experience in years

Points

Six years or more

15 points

Four years

13 points

Two years

11 points

One year

9 points

Age

The age category within the 67-point calculator in Canada targets individuals at least 18 years old who meet the Federal Skilled Worker Program criteria. Those aged between 18 and 35 receive the highest points in this category. The maximum score attainable in this category is 12 points.


Age

Points

18 to 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 or more

0

Arranged Employment

Receiving a job offer from a Canadian company or organization will enhance your score on the 67-point assessment. An offer letter from a Canadian employer can contribute a significant 10 points to your FSW 67-point calculation. To qualify for this category, your job offer must consist of a full-time contract lasting a minimum of one year. The maximum attainable point in this category is 10.


Arranged Employment

Points

You have a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer, approved by the HRSDC

10 points

You are presented with a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer, which does not require HRSDC approval, provided you are currently employed in Canada by that same employer.

10 points

Adaptability

If you are applying for Express Entry with your spouse or partner, you may receive an additional 5 to 10 points depending on their qualifications. This assessment is based on your partner's score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) evaluation or the 67-point calculator. For instance, both you and your partner can earn 5 points each if either of you has completed studies in Canada. The maximum attainable point in this specific category of the 67-point immigration system for Canada is 10.


Adaptability

Points

Principal Applicant Previous Work in Canada (min. 1 yr at NOC 0, A, B)

10

Accompanying Spouse/Partner Previous Work in Canada

5

Principal Applicant Previous Study in Canada

5

Accompanying Spouse/Partner Previous Study in Canada

5

Arranged Employment

5

Funds Needed for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

Number of family members

Funds Required

1

$14,690

2

$18,288

3

$22,483

4

$27,297

5

$30,690

6

$34,917

7

$38,875

For each additional member

$3,958

How to apply for the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program?

  1. Establish an IRCC account and an Express Entry Profile

Initially, you are required to create an account on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Following this, you will need to set up an Express Entry profile. Before proceeding, it is essential to verify your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker program.

  1. Submit your Profile and enter the Express Entry Candidate Pool

Once your Express Entry profile is finalized, you may submit it. Your profile will then be entered into the Express Entry candidate pool, where it will remain active for a maximum of one year or until you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence (PR), whichever occurs first. You must ensure that your Express Entry profile is kept current while it remains active.

  1. Await an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

The Government of Canada holds regular draws, typically every two weeks, to establish the minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score threshold. Candidates whose CRS scores meet or exceed this threshold will be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence (PR).

  1. Submit your PR Application

Upon receiving an ITA, you are allotted 60 days to either submit your application for permanent residence or decline the ITA.

  1. Obtain your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)

Upon the approval of your application, you will be issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) accompanied by guidance on the subsequent steps to take. It may be necessary for you to provide your biometrics unless you have already done so for a Canadian visa within the past decade.

Processing time for FSWP Application

The processing time for Express Entry FSWP programs takes 6 months. However, the Express Entry profile for FSWP remains valid for 12 months. If you receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) while in the candidate pool, you will be allotted 60 days to apply.