Canada - Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Canada is surely a land of incredible opportunities for individuals in terms of career growth, incredible work satisfaction, optimum utilisation of an individual resource, better life, satisfactory healthcare, that one will move there and settle in Canada permanently. With easy and lenient immigration policies, you just cannot miss the opportunity to settle in a place like Canada!
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is managed under the Express Entry Program and uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates who wish to settle permanently in Canada
Eligibility Criteria For Federal Skilled Worker Program
Points are allocated for each factor and together it is a 100-point grid. You will be qualified to apply if you score 67 points or higher out of 100.
Age
Age is an essential factor of the Federal Skilled Worker Program Points Calculator. If an individual applying for PR, is in the age group of 18-35 years, he/she gets the maximum points as the Canadian government prefers this age group as it is the most beneficial age group. The points an individual can get is based on his age and decreases as the applicant’s age increases. One can still apply for a Canadian PR if his score is strong based on his other factors. An applicant can achieve highest of 12 points under this factor.
Education
A decent educational qualification is important in any field. An individual should at least be a graduate or hold a diploma to apply for the Canadian PR visa. Education is one of the basic elements of the Federal Skills Worker Program Points Calculator where an applicant can accomplish a maximum of 25 points. Candidates with higher capability can score 25 points.
*Note: To get education factor points for a foreign candidate, it is mandatory to validate that his qualification is equivalent to a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian educational institution. So, Federal Skilled Worker candidate with a foreign education must give an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for their foreign education to get education points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Work Experience
For an individual to score decent points in the express entry, the applicant requires that he has a minimum of three years of experience in his field. The work experience factor is one of the essential elements and if the candidate has at least 6 or more years of experience, then he/she can easily achieve 15 points in the point system. The work experience has to be under the occupations available in skill level 0, A, B of NOC Code.
Language Proficiency
Canada has two official languages, one being English and the other French. For applying for a PR Visa under the express entry system, an individual needs to be proficient in either one of the two official languges of Canada, i.e., English or French. To prove this proficiency, the candidate must produce test results of the IELTS which are only valid for two years. The candidate must also score a minimum band of 6 in the same. The higher band is equal to higher points scored in the CRS. Applicants with great language proficiency can accomplish a maximum of 28 points on Federal Skills Worker Program Points Calculator.
Arranged Employment
Although this factor isn’t compulsory, it surely is an added advantage to an individual who is applying for a Canadian PR under the Federal express entry system, if he has a prior job in Canada. One of the essential components of the point system is an Arranged Employment. The applicant may get an additional of 10 points when a Canadian employer expands a full-time permanent work in Canada to a foreign skilled worker.
Adaptability
Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligible Occupations
To be eligible to apply for FSWP, your work experience must be listed in below skilled occupations
Skill Level A: Professional jobs that usually call for a degree from a university, including a range of Information Technology (IT) occupations, engineering and construction occupations, legal occupations, and more.
Skill Level B: Technical jobs and skilled trades that usually call for a college diploma or training as an apprentice, such as chefs, plumbers, general office workers, retail salespersons, and more.
Most In-Demand Jobs for Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Sales Representative
- Accountant
- Engineering Project Manager
- Business Analyst
- IT Project Manager
- Accounts Manager
- Software Engineer
- Recruitment specialist
- Nurses
- Truck Drivers
- Vocational Institutes
- Business Managers Consultants
- Welder
- Software engineer
- Electrician
- Steamfitter and Pipefitter
- Vet
- Pharmacist
- Human resources Manager
- Administrative Assistant
Benefits of Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program under the Express Entry system, as a part of the Economic Immigration programs of Canada, allows the country to invite many immigrants based on their skills and ability to work and settle in the country by providing them with a Permanent Residence. It requires the candidate to have at least one year of continuous full time paid work experience. The Federal Skilled Worker Program, a program designed by the government of Canada, is a popular program among the overseas aspirants and provides them with an option of permanent settlement in Canada on the basis of their abilities and skills. It is a point-based visa system that requires an applicant to score a minimum of at least 67 points to qualify for applying for the Permanent Residency Visa.
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Germany Opportunity Card or the Chancenkarte
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The Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) for Canada immigration is administered by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) through the Express Entry System. Candidates in the Express Entry pool with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for Canada PR Visa under FSWP. ITA recipients must submit their complete applications to IRCC within the specified timeline.
FSWP employs a points-based system considering various factors to assess an applicant’s potential to settle successfully in Canada, including any dependents. Applicants are ideally expected to possess experience and skills aligned with high-demand occupations.
Preference is given to applicants with job offers approved by the Government of Canada. The Express Entry Immigration system, encompassing FSWP and related programs, was introduced on January 1, 2015, under the Economic Class.
What are the requirements for FSWP?
To be eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Possess skilled work experience
- Demonstrate language proficiency
- Have the required level of education
All minimum requirements must be met to qualify for the program application.
What is the eligibility for FSWP?
Once you meet all the specified minimum requirements, IRCC will evaluate your application based on the following criteria:
- Education
- Age
- Work experience
- Job offer (if applicable)
- Language proficiency in English and/or French
- Adaptability factors, assessing your potential to settle effectively in the country
The factors listed above contribute to a point grid totaling 100 points, used to assess eligibility for the FSWP. Points are assigned based on performance in each of the six criteria. A minimum score of 67 points is required to pass.
Once you enter the Express Entry pool, IRCC employs a distinct ranking system to evaluate and prioritize profiles.
What are the eligible occupations under Federal Skilled Worker Program?
Federal Skilled Workers are individuals who possess suitable age, work experience, and language proficiency in English or French. They are selected through the Express Entry Immigration system to apply for a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa.
Applicants in 347 eligible occupations who meet the minimum entry criteria can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) profile under the Express Entry System. These profiles are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Candidates with the highest rankings receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Canada PR Visa and must submit their complete application within three months.
Essential Conditions for FSWP applicants
Applicants seeking entry into the Express Entry Pool as Federal Skilled Workers must meet the following criteria:
- Have at least one year of paid full-time work experience (or part-time equivalent) within the last 10 years in one of the 347 eligible occupations categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system:
- Managerial Occupations (Skill Level 0)
- Professional Occupations (Skill Level A)
- Skilled Trades and Technical Occupations (Skill Level B)
- Achieve sufficient points in the skilled worker points grid, which evaluates six selection factors. The current minimum passing score is 67 points.
- Take a language test from an authorized third party to demonstrate intermediate language skills in either French or English, equivalent to level 7 CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark).
- Have adequate funds to support settlement in Canada.
- Successfully undergo medical and security background checks.
The Federal Skilled Workers Program aims to select candidates with the highest potential for successful economic integration and contribution to Canada’s economy. It builds upon previous immigration programs while adjusting the relative importance and structure of points allocated to each selection factor.
67 points Calculator for FSW
Applicants applying under the FSWP must demonstrate sufficient language proficiency and possess relevant work experience to be considered for selection. Additionally, they need to achieve a minimum score of 67 points on the FSWP points grid, which evaluates language proficiency, education, age, work experience, adaptability factors, and, if applicable, a job offer in Canada.
Education - Maximum 25 points
You can earn a maximum of 25 points for this factor, with the highest score awarded for a Doctoral Degree. Overseas credentials will be evaluated by designated third-party organizations to determine their equivalence in Canada. Points are assigned based on the assessment of credentials by authorized bodies such as:
– International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
– School of Continuing Studies, University of Toronto: Comparative Education Service
– Medical Council of Canada
– World Education Services
Language - Maximum 28 points
Only applicants demonstrating high to intermediate proficiency in French or English will be considered. Meeting the minimum language threshold guarantees a minimum of 16 points in this factor, with the potential to earn up to 24 points for higher proficiency. However, the benefits of bilingualism are now given less weight in the latest points system, with proficiency in a second official language capped at a maximum of 4 points.
Work Experience - Maximum 15 points
A minimum of year experience is required for qualifying and a maximum of 6 years is considered.
Age - Maximum 12 points
A maximum of 12 points will be offered for candidates in the age range of 35 to 18 years. Each increasing year above 35 years will decrease the allocation by 1 point and 0 are allocated from 47 years onwards.
Arranged Employment - Maximum 10 points
Candidates who have a valid job offer in Canada can earn points under this factor. The Arranged Employment Opinion process has been replaced by the Labor Market Opinion (LMO) validation process, aimed at streamlining labor market procedures and reducing processing times for both potential employees and employers applying for a Canada Work Visa.
Employers proposing to hire a candidate must meet specific criteria to validate the job offer and qualify for points under this selection factor. They must demonstrate to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada that hiring foreign workers will either positively or neutrally impact the labor market.
Applicants with a validated job offer can earn 10 points under this factor. Additionally, they can accrue an additional 5 points under the Adaptability selection factor, bringing the total to 15 points.
Adaptability - Maximum 10 points
Applicants with at least 1 year of full-time work experience in Canada in a skilled trade, technical, professional, or managerial occupation will receive the maximum points available for this factor. Additionally, as previously mentioned, a valid job offer will add an extra 5 points under the Adaptability factor.
Other factors that contribute points to applicants under this category include:
– Having a close adult relative residing in Canada
– Applicant or spouse possessing Canadian educational credentials
– Spouse having previous work experience in Canada
– Spouse having proficiency in one of the country’s official languages
Canada PR Visa Point grid
The primary selection criterion requires applicants to achieve a minimum passing score of 67 points. The following lists outline how points are allocated based on specific details in your profile assessment.
Factor 1: Age (Maximum Points 12)
AGE | POINTS |
18 | 12 |
36 | 11 |
37 | 10 |
38 | 9 |
39 | 8 |
40 | 7 |
41 | 6 |
42 | 5 |
43 | 4 |
44 | 2 |
45 | 3 |
46 | 1 |
47 OR More | 0 |
Age | Points |
18 | 12 |
36 | 11 |
Relevant work experience | 3 |
German Language Skills/English Language Skills | 3 |
Previous stay in Germany | 1 |
Spouse qualifying for opportunity card | 1 |
Total | 14 |
Factor 2: Language Proficiency (Maximum Points 28)
The following list will acquaint you with the score you can obtain in each segment.
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 |
Factor 3: Educational Qualification (Maximum Points 25)
This factor plays a crucial role in candidate assessment, allowing candidates to potentially score highly and enhance their chances. The following list outlines the scoring system:
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 Points |
Factor 4: Work Experience (Maximum Points 15)
Experience in years | Points |
Six years or more | 15 points |
Four years | 13 points |
Two years | 11 points |
One year | 9 points |
Factor 5: Arranged Employment (Maximum 10 points)
Arranged Employment | Points |
You have a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer, approved by the HRSDC | 10 points |
You have a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer, without the necessity of HRSDC approval, if you are employed in Canada by the same employer | 10 points |
Additional Points
If you are immigrating with your spouse, your application can earn additional points if your spouse achieves a score above CLB 4. As the principal applicant, you will receive an extra 5 points for adaptability.
- Having a relative in Canada aged 18 or older (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, child of a parent, sibling, child of a grandparent, aunt or uncle, grandchild of a parent, niece or nephew) who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident – 5 Points
- Accompanying spouse/partner’s language proficiency at CLB/NCLC level 4 – 5 Points
Factor 6: Adaptability (Maximum 10 points)
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 Required for Federal Skilled Worker Program
IRCC requires applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) to demonstrate sufficient funds to support themselves and their family. The following list outlines the minimum funds required:
Number of family member | 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 |
Currently, applications are being processed within 6 months or less.
While the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is structured to select highly educated candidates, there has been a recent emphasis on skilled trades as well. Immigration authorities are encouraging skilled workers from overseas to apply for Canadian PR under the FSWP, aiming to bolster the labor market with qualified skilled trades workers.
How to apply for a PR Visa through FSWP?
Interested candidates must initially submit a profile through Express Entry to IRCC. Submitting a profile does not guarantee the issuance of a Canada PR Visa. Upon submission, candidates will receive CRS scores and be eligible for consideration in subsequent Express Entry draws for ITAs for PR Visa.
You will need to submit the following documents when submitting a profile through Express Entry under the FSWP:
Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA):
You must provide a valid ECA report to demonstrate the value of your foreign education credentials compared to Canadian equivalents. Canada recognizes reports issued by five authorized organizations. This requirement does not apply to credentials obtained from Canadian educational institutions.
Language Proficiency Test Results:
All FSWP applicants must submit language proficiency test results from an authorized test taken within the past two years. For English proficiency, accepted tests include IELTS and CELPIP. For French proficiency, recognized tests are TEF (Test d’évaluation de français) and TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada).
Identification Documents:
When submitting your profile through Express Entry under FSWP, you must provide identification details. Ideally, you and all accompanying family members should possess valid passports for travel purposes.
Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a PR Visa, you will proceed to the next stage of the application process. During this stage, you will have 60 days to prepare and submit an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR), which involves further documentation procedures.
What is the Federal Skilled Trades Program?
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is designed for skilled workers seeking Canadian permanent residency based on their qualifications in a skilled trade. Managed through the Express Entry system, it represents one of the fastest pathways to obtain a Canada PR Visa.
Advantages of applying for Canada PR Visa through FSTP
– The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) requires a low CRS score, with the minimum cut-off set at 199 points.
– Candidates with a valid job offer receive additional CRS points.
– A lower IELTS score is sufficient for eligibility.
What are the minimum requirements for FSTP?
Here are the minimum requirements to apply for a Canada PR visa through the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
– Must have a minimum CLB level 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB level 4 for reading and writing.
– Possess at least 2 years of work experience in a skilled occupation within the last 5 years.
– Meet the job requirements specified in the National Occupational Classification for that skilled trade, excluding the need for a certificate of qualification.
– Hold a full-time job offer in this skilled trade for a duration of at least one year, with a maximum of two Canadian employers, OR possess a qualification certificate in a skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
What is the process to apply for a Canada PR Visa through FSTP?
Here's a simplified guide to applying for a Canada PR Visa through the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
Step 1: Ensure you have at least two years of relevant work experience in a trade recognized as skilled by IRCC.
Step 2: Meet the minimum requirements for FSTP.
Step 3: Create your Express Entry profile and submit it to the Express Entry pool.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in an Express Entry draw.
Step 5: Submit your PR Visa application with the required documents to IRCC.
Step 6: Your application undergoes review by IRCC.
Step 7: Receive your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) status.