Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs contained within Canada’s Express Entry system for processing permanent residency applications. All programs within Express Entry are competitive. The system ranks candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to choose those who go through to the next stage.


What is the Federal Skilled Worker Class?

Skilled workers in 347 qualified occupations who fulfill minimal entry criteria can apply for Express Entry by submitting an expression of interest profile to the Express Entry Pool. A Comprehensive Ranking System is used to rank the profiles of applicants in the pool. The individuals with the highest scores will be invited to apply for permanent residency.


FSWC Eligibility: Experience, Education, IELTS, overall score required

Here are the FSWC eligibility requirements. Applicants must:

  • ⬤ Possess one year of continuous full-time paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment within the previous 10 years in one of a number of eligible occupations listed under the applicable National Occupational Classification system (find the list here); and
  • ⬤ The work experience must be classified within Skill Type 0 (Managerial Occupations), Skill Level A (Professional Occupations), or Skill Level B (Technical Occupations and Skilled Trades) within the meaning of the National Occupational Classification system; and
  • ⬤ Score sufficient points under the skilled worker point grid comprising of six selection factors. The current pass mark is 67 points;
  • ⬤ Undergo language testing from a recognized third party and demonstrate intermediate-level language skills in English or French. To be eligible for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 score, which is at least 6.0 on each language ability on the IELTS;
  • ⬤ Possess suitable funds;
  • ⬤ Undergo a successful security background and medical examination.

    • If an applicant receives an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence in Canada, they will proceed to the next stage of the application process. The applicant then will have 60 days to prepare and submit an electronic application for permanent residence at this second stage.


    Application First Stages

    Candidates must fill out an Express Entry profile and submit it to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The submission of an Express Entry profile does not guarantee that a candidate will be granted permanent residence in Canada. A candidate's CRS score is assigned only after submitting an Express Entry profile.

    Selection Factors And The Point System

    To determine your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, IRCC uses selection factor points. It will evaluate your selected criteria and give you a score out of 100. You’ll be eligible if your score is 67 or higher. For those who don’t meet the point threshold, the best way to improve is by improving your language skills, completing further studies, or receiving a job offer in Canada.

    Here are the categories and the maximum points on offer:

  • ⬤ Language skills (maximum 28 points)
  • ⬤ Education (maximum 25 points)
  • ⬤ Work experience (maximum 15 points)
  • ⬤ Age (maximum 12 points)
  • ⬤ Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)
  • ⬤ Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

    • Application Fees

    The primary applicant fee is CAD 1,325 and a spouse will also cost CAD 1,325. For dependent children, the fee is CAD 225 per child.

    How long it takes

    The processing time for a normal application submitted under the Federal Skilled Worker Program is around 6 to 8 months. It all depends on the documents you present and the accuracy of the information you put in your application.

    Canadian Experience Class Vs. Federal Skilled Worker

    These two are similar and are both processed under Express Entry. However, a few factors may influence which an applicant chooses.

    To start, candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker must produce proof of their schooling, but, candidates for the Canadian Experience Class do not have to do so.

    The Canadian Experience Class also has a lower level of required French or English if your job falls under the NOC B category. The FSWC requires continuous work experience for a year in the last 10 years, while the Canadian Experience Class requires it in the last 3 years.

    FSWC also requires secondary education and gives points for any education completed after post-secondary.

    Other Federal skill programs