Federal Skilled Worker Immigration Services

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three systems included in Canada’s Express Entry system for processing applications for permanent residence. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), a key component of all Express Entry programs, is used to rank and select the most competitive applicants. This system is known for its competitiveness, but it also ensures that the most qualified individuals are given the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

The Federal Skilled Worker program operates on a transparent point system, considering a range of characteristics. This system is designed to showcase the applicant’s and their dependents’ potential for successful settlement in Canada. The most competitive applicants will possess backgrounds and abilities that align with in-demand professions. Candidates with government-accepted labor offers are given a fair advantage under the selection criteria.

Who is eligible for immigration as a skilled worker or permanent resident of Canada?

On January 1, 2015, Canada introduced the Express Entry system under the Economic Class for skilled workers, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
For those considering the Federal Skilled Worker program, it’s important to note that qualified applicants must meet the minimum requirements for any of the 347 eligible occupations. This can be done by submitting an expression of interest profile into the Express Entry Pool. Profiles are then ranked using a detailed scoring system, with top-ranked candidates invited to apply for permanent residency within sixty days.
Federal Skilled Workers are individuals with suitable qualifications, work experience, age, and language proficiency in English or French who are selected to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.

To qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker in the Express Entry Pool, applicants must:

Have at least one year of continuous full-time work experience in one of the 347 eligible occupations listed in the National Occupational Classification system, or an equivalent amount in part-time work over the past ten years, categorized under TEER 0 (Management Occupations), TEER 1 (Occupations that usually require a university degree), TEER 2 (Occupations that usually require, a college diploma, apprenticeship training of 2 or more years, or supervisory occupations), TEER 3 (Occupations that usually require, a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than 2, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training)
Score a minimum of 67 points under the six selection criteria for skilled workers.
Provide proof of language proficiency by participating in a recognized third-party language exam and demonstrating an intermediate level of proficiency in either French or English, equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark 7.

To determine whether an application is eligible for immigration to Canada, six criteria are weighed against the applicant. Applicants need to score 67 points overall—out of a potential 100—to be eligible. Selection criteria include:

Age
Education
Work experience
Whether you have a valid job offer
English or French language skills
Adaptability (how well you’ll likely to settle here)

The goal of the new program is to choose applicants who have the best chance of settling down economically and making a positive contribution to Canada.

Application Procedure

Educational Assessment credentials (EAC)

To earn points for education, a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) applicant must provide an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from one of five designated Canadian organizations. This report confirms the equivalency of international education credentials to Canadian standards. Degrees earned from Canadian educational institutions do not require an ECA.

Language proficiency

Applicants must include results from an approved language exam taken within the last two years with their Express Entry application. Accepted English proficiency tests include CELPIP, IELTS & and PTE-Core. Approved French exams include Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and Test de Connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).

Documentation For identification

Candidates will have to submit detailed identity documents. Principal applicant and all dependents members traveling with them must have valid passports.
An applicant may move on to the second phase of the application procedure if they are successful in obtaining an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. In this second phase, the applicant will have sixty days to prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). This step needs more documentation.
Since the launch of the Express Entry system in 2015, the lowest-ranking FSW nominee to receive an ITA has had a CRS score of 413 points. An applicant should actively look for ways to raise their score if their CRS score is lower than this.

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