Federal Skilled Worker

The FSW program is one of the most competitive programs in the Express Entry (EE) System. The program allows skilled foreign workers and professionals to acquire the Canadian Permanent Residency permit.

FSW program requirements

To qualify for the Foreign Skilled Worker Program, you must first submit your profile into the EE system. To be eligible for FSW, you must meet the following conditions, in the last ten years, before the submission of your profile in the EE system:

1. First, you must have a continuous paid work experience of at least a year or its part-time equivalent in an occupation classified as NOC (National Occupational Classification) skill level A, B, or O
2. Secondly, if you have met the condition, your application will fall into either of the three circumstances listed below:

• You already have a verifiable and genuine job offer in Canada.
• You have the required skills in at least one of the 50 eligible occupations.
• You have post-graduate qualifications (for instance a PhD) obtained in Canada or for the last two years; you have been pursuing a PhD degree in Canada, at a higher learning institution recognized by the government.

Having fallen into any of the above three circumstances, you must also:

1. Attain either English or French (Canada is a bilingual country) minimum language requirements in listening, writing, speaking, and reading.
2. Possess relevant foreign academic qualifications backed by an ECA report issued by an IRCC approved body. However, if you possess Canadian education credentials, there’s no need for an ECA report.
3. Have money enough to sustain your expenses while in Canada for at least half a year after immigrating to the country
4. Have security and medical clearance for you and your family.

Next, you’ll be evaluated and awarded points based on six main factors: language skills, education, age, arranged employment, Work experience, and adaptability.

• Language skills: You can scoop a maximum of 28 points for your language competencies
• Education: you will be awarded at most 25 points
• Age: you can get up to 12 points
• Arranged employment: having already secured a job in Canada can enable you to earn 10 points.
• Work experience: if you have at least a year of paid work experience in the last in a NOC relevant job category, you can get at most ten points
• Adaptability: you may get up to 10 points if your adaptability is deemed satisfactory

After submitting your profile and receiving your ITA (Invitation to Apply), you’ll be required to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker program and wait for no more than six months for your application to be processed.