Federal Skilled Worker Program - Canada Immigration

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a part of the Canadian government's immigration policy, designed to attract individuals with high levels of skills and experience to the country. It is managed under the Express Entry system and is aimed at skilled foreign workers who wish to immigrate to Canada permanently. Under the FSWP, prospective immigrants are evaluated based on various factors, including their English or French language skills, education, work experience, age, arranged employment in Canada, and adaptability factors. Applicants who meet the criteria are then entered into a pool with other eligible candidates, where they are ranked using a points-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Once in the Express Entry pool, the highest-ranking candidates are regularly invited to apply for Canadian permanent residency through draws. It's important to note that securing a job offer from a Canadian employer isn't mandatory for the FSWP, but it can significantly increase an applicant's CRS score and their likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Overall, the Federal Skilled Worker Program is a key pathway for skilled professionals across the globe to immigrate to Canada, contributing their talents to the Canadian economy and society.

quick facts

Application Processing time: 6-12 months.

IRCC Fee: Processing fee ($850) + Right of permanent residence fee ($515) + Biometrics fee ($85 ). Total: C$1450 based on 1 person.

Upfront Medical Required: Yes

Ideal CLB score: 8(L) 7(R) 7(W) 7 (S).

Minimum Work Experience Required: 1 year.

Minimum Education Required: High School.

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Canada Immigration - Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) - Index of Topics

What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and How Does It Work?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a point-based program that allows skilled workers to immigrate to Canada and obtain permanent residency. The FSWP is designed to attract foreign nationals who have the skills and experience that are needed in Canada. To be eligible for the FSWP, foreign nationals must meet certain requirements, including having at least one year of work experience in an occupation that is listed on the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

If you are interested in applying for the FSWP, it is important to understand the application process and what the requirements are. The first step is to submit an online application. Once your application has been received, it will be reviewed to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria. If you meet the criteria, you will be invited to submit a complete application, which includes supporting documentation.

When your application is complete, it will be assessed based on several factors, including your skills, work experience, education, and language ability. If you are found to be eligible for the FSWP, you will be issued a permanent residence visa and will be able to live and work in Canada permanently.

Who can apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP)?

The federal skilled worker program is for individuals who have the skills, education and work experience that are needed to fill certain types of jobs in Canada. To be eligible for the program, you must:

have at least one year of full-time or equivalent work experience in a skilled occupation;
meet the required language levels for your occupation;
have completed any mandatory licensing or certification requirements for your occupation; and
score 67 points or more on the selection grid.

If you meet the above criteria, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

It is important to understand that the FSW points are not the same as the CRS points. Check the difference between CRS points vs FSW points.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP)?

In order to be eligible for the FSWP, individuals must meet certain requirements and criteria.

First, applicants must have at least one year of full-time work experience in a skilled occupation. A skilled occupation is defined as an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform. Some examples of skilled occupations include: accountant, engineer, nurse, doctor, software developer, and teacher.

Second, applicants must demonstrate that they have the required language skills to perform their occupation in English or French. Language skills are assessed by taking a language test approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test d’Evaluation de French (TEF).

Third, applicants must have completed post-secondary education, training, or work experience of at least one year in duration. Post-secondary education refers to any educational program after high school, such as a college diploma or university degree. Training refers to any specialized training program, such as a trade apprenticeship or medical residency.

Tools

Step by step process to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP)

The Federal skilled worker program is a great way for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. The process is relatively simple and straightforward, and if you meet the criteria, you could be on your way to a new life in Canada. Here's a step-by-step guide to applying for the federal skilled worker program.

1. Determine if you meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible for the federal skilled worker program, you must have at least one year of full-time work experience in an occupation that is listed on the National Occupations Classification (NOC) list. You must also have the skills and qualifications required for that occupation.

2. Get your documents in order. You will need to gather various documents to support your application, such as proof of your work experience, educational qualifications, language proficiency, and more. Make sure you have all of the required documents before you begin your application.

3. Submit your application online. The first step in applying for the federal skilled worker program is to submit an online application through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Be sure to complete all sections of the application and include all required documentation.

4. Pay the application fee and submit your application.

5. Wait for a decision on your application. Once your application has been received and reviewed, you will be notified of the decision. If your application is successful, you will be given instructions on how to proceed with your immigration to Canada.

What are the selection factors for Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP)?

There are a number of factors that are considered when determining if an applicant is eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Some of these include:

The applicant's skills and experience
The applicant's education
The applicant's language ability
The applicant's employment history
The applicant's age
The applicant's arranged employment in Canada
The applicant's adaptability

Selection Factors	Points
Adaptability	Maximum of 10 Points
Arranged Employment	Maximum of 10 Points
Age	Maximum of 12 Points
Work Experience	Maximum of 15 Points
Language Skills	Maximum of 28 Points
Education	Maximum of 25 Points

Federal Skilled Worker Program application processing time.

The FSWP is a popular immigration program, and as a result, processing times can vary widely. In recent years, processing times for the FSWP have ranged from approximately 6 months to over 2 years.

There are a number of factors that can affect processing times for the FSWP, including the number of applications received, the complexity of individual cases, and changes to immigration policy. Processing times can also vary depending on which visa office is responsible for processing an application.

It is important to note that these processing times are subject to change, and applicants should expect delays during peak periods.

Federal Skilled Worker Program document checklist.

When applying for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, be sure to have the following documents ready:

1. A valid passport or travel document
2. Proof of language proficiency in either English or French
3. Educational credential assessment (if your education was obtained outside of Canada)
4. A job offer from a Canadian employer (or evidence that you meet the requirements for an exemption from this requirement)
5. Proof of work experience
6. All other required supporting documentation as listed on the checklist

Who can be included in the FSWP application to Canada?

Under the FSWP, the following family members may be included in an application:

the principal applicant's spouse or common-law partner;
the principal applicant's dependent children and the dependent children of the accompanying spouse or common-law partner, up to 22 years of age;
the dependent children of the principal applicant's dependent children, and the dependent children of the dependent children of the accompanying spouse or common-law partner.

Is it mandatory to have work experience in the field of education for FSWP?

Work experience does not need to be related to the candidate's education, as long as the candidate is currently performing or has previously performed the duties of the occupation for which the candidate is claiming points.

What if I do not have a valid job offer to apply under the FSWP program?

It is not mandatory to have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. but one could get you up to 15 points and thereby improve your chances of being eligible. Furthermore, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you can earn between 50 (NOC A or B) and 200 (NOC C) points under Express Entry's Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), depending on the type of job.

It is worthy to note that the job needs to be approved by the ESDC. And as such it needs to be applied for on your behalf by the employer.

What are the skilled worker NOC categories for Canadian immigration purposes?

There are numerous occupations that are considered skilled. For a brief overview consider the following:

TEER Category 0 - Occupations in management
TEER Category 1 - A university degree (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate); or several years of TEER category two experience in a given occupation (when applicable).
TEER Category 2 - Completion of a two- to the three-year postsecondary education program at a community college, the institution of technology, or CEGEP; or completion of a two to a five-year apprenticeship training program; or occupations having supervisory or major safety duties (police officers and firefighters); or several years of TEER category three experience in a given occupation (when applicable).
TEER Category 3 - Completion of a two-year postsecondary education program at a community college, institute of technology, or CÉGEP; or apprenticeship training that lasts shorter than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training, training courses, or particular professional experience with a high school diploma; or several years of TEER category four experience in a given occupation (when applicable).
TEER Category 4 - Secondary school graduation; or several weeks of on-the-job training combined with a high school diploma; or Several years of TEER category five experience in a given occupation (when applicable).
TEER Category 5 - There are no formal schooling prerequisites and only a brief job demonstration.

NOC Skill Types

The NOC Skill Type identifies the industry of the occupation. There are ten Skill Types in the NOC matrix:

0 – Management occupations

1 – Business, finance, and administration occupations

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

3 – Health occupations

4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

5 – Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

6 – Sales and service occupations

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

9 – Occupations in manufacturing and utilities

The first digit of most NOC codes identifies the Skill Type of the occupation.

Click here to check the changes to the NOC Code and the new Teer based NOC 2021 system.

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