Are you a skilled professional dreaming of a new life in Canada? The Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under the Express Entry system is one of the most popular pathways for skilled workers to become permanent residents in Canada. As a part of Canada immigration this program targets individuals with foreign work experience and desirable skills to contribute to Canada’s growing economy.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program—its eligibility, application process, benefits, and more!
Table Of Content
1What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program?2Who is Eligible for Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada?3FSW 67 Points Calculator4How to Apply for Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program5Federal Skilled Worker Program Processing Time6Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligible Occupations7Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program vs Canadian Experience Class8Tips to Improve Your Chances for FSW9Frequently Asked Questions
What is Federal Skilled Worker Program?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is part of Canada’s Express Entry system, which manages applications for permanent residence for skilled workers with foreign work experience which is meant by work experience outside of Canada.
It’s a point-based system that evaluates candidates based on their skills, education, language ability, work experience, age, and adaptability.
Who is Eligible for Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada?
To be eligible for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need at least one year of skilled work experience (NOC TEER 0-3) in the last 10 years, CLB 7 or higher in language tests, and a Canadian secondary diploma or equivalent (ECA required for foreign credentials). You must also score at least 67 out of 100 points on the selection grid.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
1. Skilled Work Experience
- You must have at least 1 year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
- The work experience must be within the last 10 years.
2. Language Proficiency
- You need to take an approved language test like IELTS (English) or TEF (French).
- Minimum CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) score of 7 is required in all four abilities: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
3. Education
You must have at least a Canadian secondary school diploma or equivalent.
If your education was obtained outside Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
4. Proof of Funds
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada (unless you’re currently working in Canada or have a valid job offer).
5. Selection Factors
Your profile is assessed on a 100-point grid. You need at least 67 points to qualify. The factors are:
- Language skills (maximum 28 points)
- Education (maximum 25 points)
- Work experience (maximum 15 points)
- Age (maximum 12 points)
- Arranged employment (maximum 10 points)
- Adaptability (maximum 10 points)
FSW 67 Points Calculator
If you meet all the minimum requirements for the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will use selection factor points to assess your eligibility.
You’ll be evaluated on six selection factors and assigned a score out of 100.
- If you score 67 points or higher, you may qualify for the FSW program and can create an Express Entry profile.
- If you score below 67 points, you won’t be eligible for the program.
Note: These points are different from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score used to rank profiles in the Express Entry pool.
1. Language Skills (Maximum 28 points)
First Official Language (Maximum 24 points)
Use the following table to calculate points based on your CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) level:
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 9+ | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Below 7 | Not eligible to apply | |||
Second Official Language (Maximum 4 points)
You can gain 4 points if you score at least CLB 5 in all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading, and writing).
| Score Level | Points |
|---|---|
| At least CLB 5 in all 4 abilities | 4 |
| CLB 4 or lower in any ability | 0 |
2. Education (Maximum 25 points)
Points are based on your highest level of education. You must include either:
- A Canadian credential, or
- A foreign credential with a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
| Education Level | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 25 |
| Master’s or entry-to-practice professional degree | 23 |
| Two or more post-secondary credentials (one ≥ 3 years) | 22 |
| Three-year or longer post-secondary credential | 21 |
| Two-year post-secondary credential | 19 |
| One-year post-secondary credential | 15 |
| Secondary school | 5 |
To know more about the ECA report and how many points you will get, refer to the official website of Canada.
3. Skilled Work Experience (Maximum 15 points)
Your skilled work experience can be:
- In Canada or abroad
- While studying
- While self-employed
| Experience Duration | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 9 |
| 2–3 years | 11 |
| 4–5 years | 13 |
| 6+ years | 15 |
4. Age (Maximum 12 points)
Points are awarded based on your age at the time your application is received.
| 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+ | 0 |
5. Arranged Employment in Canada (Maximum 10 points)
You can get 10 points if you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. The job must be:
- Full-time, paid, and non-seasonal (minimum 30 hours/week)
- For at least one year
- Listed in TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the NOC
To qualify for the points, you must meet one of the following situations, and prove you can perform the job and get licensed (if required).
6. Adaptability (Maximum 10 points)
You and your spouse or common-law partner (if accompanying) can earn up to 10 points combined.
| Adaptability Factors | Points |
|---|---|
| Spouse’s language ability (CLB 4+ in all 4) | 5 |
| Your past full-time study in Canada (min. 2 years) | 5 |
| Spouse’s past study in Canada (min. 2 years) | 5 |
| Your past full-time work in Canada (1 year, valid permit) | 10 |
| Spouse’s past work in Canada (1 year, valid permit) | 5 |
| Arranged employment in Canada | 5 |
| Relatives in Canada (18+, PR or citizen) | 5 |
Eligible relatives include:
- Parent, grandparent
- Child, grandchild
- Sibling
- Aunt, uncle
- Niece, nephew
How to Apply for Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program
To apply for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) through Express Entry, first check if you meet eligibility requirements, then create and submit your Express Entry profile. If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), submit your complete application within 60 days and pay the required fees.
Here’s a Detailed breakdown of the process:
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Ensure you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for:
- Work experience
- Language ability
- Education
- Proof of funds
- Other admissibility factors
Then calculate your score using the FSW 67 Points Calculator. You must score 67 points or more out of 100 to be eligible.
Step 2: Get Your Documents Ready
Prepare key documents such as:
- Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF/TCF)
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign degrees
- Passport
- Work experience letters
- Proof of funds
Step 3: Create Your Express Entry Profile
Submit an online profile through the IRCC Express Entry system. Your profile will be ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Make sure the details match the documents you plan to submit.
Step 4: Get an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If your CRS score is high enough, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) during one of IRCC’s Express Entry draws.
Step 5: Submit Your PR Application
Once you receive an ITA:
- Submit your Permanent Residency (PR) application within 60 days
- Upload all required documents and pay the application fee
Step 6: Wait for a Decision
IRCC will process your PR application and may request biometrics, medical exams, or additional documents. The average processing time is around 6 months.
Federal Skilled Worker Program Processing Time
The average processing time for the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program through Express Entry is approximately 6 months from the date you submit your complete application after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
However, actual processing times may vary based on:
- Application volume
- Country of residence
- Accuracy and completeness of documents
- Background verification and medical exam duration
It’s advisable to monitor IRCC’s official website for real-time updates.
Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligible Occupations
To qualify under the FSW Program, your skilled work experience must be in an occupation listed under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021.
Some in-demand eligible occupations include:
| NOC Code | Occupation Title | TEER Category |
|---|---|---|
| 21231 | Software engineers and designers | TEER 1 |
| 31301 | Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | TEER 1 |
| 11100 | Financial auditors and accountants | TEER 1 |
| 72024 | Supervisors, construction trades | TEER 2 |
| 13110 | Administrative officers | TEER 2 |
| 12200 | Accounting technicians and bookkeepers | TEER 2 |
| 73301 | Transport truck drivers | TEER 3 |
Note: The list is not exhaustive. Any skilled occupation in TEER 0–3 could be eligible if it meets the work experience requirements.
Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program vs Canadian Experience Class
Here’s a comparison table to highlight the differences between the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
| Criteria | Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience | 1 year foreign skilled work experience in the last 10 years | 1 year skilled Canadian work experience in the last 3 years |
| Education Requirement | Mandatory (must be assessed by ECA if foreign) | Not mandatory, but can improve CRS score |
| Language Proficiency | Minimum CLB 7 in all abilities | CLB 7 (TEER 0 or 1 jobs) / CLB 5 (TEER 2 or 3 jobs) |
| Eligibility Points System | Must score at least 67 out of 100 (selection factors) | No points-based eligibility requirement |
| Proof of Funds | Required (unless with valid job offer or in Canada) | Not required if applying from within Canada |
| Intended Applicants | Skilled workers from outside or inside Canada | Primarily for temporary residents working in Canada |
| Processing via Express Entry | Yes | Yes |
Tips to Improve Your Chances for FSW
- Aim for higher IELTS scores
- Gain more relevant work experience
- Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to boost your CRS
Frequently Asked Questions
You can earn points based on:
- Language Proficiency: up to 28 points
- Education: up to 25 points
- Work Experience: up to 15 points
- Age: up to 12 points
- Arranged Employment: up to 10 points
- Adaptability: up to 10 points
