The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the primary ways under Express Entry, for individuals to immigrate to Canada based on their skills and work experience. Here’s a simplified explanation:
- Skilled Work Experience: You need to have at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in the last 10 years, in a skilled occupation listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of Canada.
- Language Ability: You must be proficient in either English or French, Canada’s two official languages. This is measured through a standardized test that assesses your abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. You must get a minimum score equivalent to CLB 7 in each of the 4 abilities.
- Education: You should have a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, or an equivalent foreign credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an approved agency.
- Selection Factors: The FSW program uses a points-based system to assess applicants. Points are given for factors like age, education, work experience, whether you have a valid job offer, adaptability (such as previous work or study in Canada, or having a relative in Canada), and language skills. You need to score at least 67 out of 100 points to be eligible as explained below.
- Proof of Funds: You need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada, unless you are already able to legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
- Admissibility: You must be admissible to Canada, meaning you don’t have any issues such as criminal history or serious health problems that could prevent you from immigrating.
- Express Entry: The FSW is managed under the Express Entry system. You create an online profile and enter the Express Entry pool. You’re then ranked against other candidates in the pool using a different points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). If your CRS score is high enough, you’ll be invited to apply for permanent residence.
Selection Factors:
A score of minimum 67 out of 100 is required in the 6 selection factors to be eligible to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence under Federal Skilled Worker Program. This is an eligibility requirement for this program.
These factors are scored as:
| Factors | Points | |
| i. | Age | 12 |
| ii. | Education | 25 |
| iii. | Work Experience | 15 |
| iv. | Arranged Employment | 10 |
| v. | Language Skills | 28 |
| vi. | Adaptability | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Use our Calculator for getting your score and find if you are eligible