Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Eligibility Criteria

Since 1967, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has been the main way Canada has welcomed talent from all across the globe. The FSWP was the world’s first program to evaluate immigration candidates objectively. Today, the FSWP is among the three skilled worker programs managed by Canada’s Express Entry system. This page outlines what you need to know about the FSWP.

Overview

Canada launched the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in 1967 to select immigrants from all over the world. Before the introduction of the FSWP, Canada selected skilled worker immigrants subjectively, based on the discretion of individual immigration officers who made a judgment call on whether they thought a candidate could integrate into the Canadian job market.

The Canadian government realized this old approach was problematic and so it introduced the world’s first points system to select immigrants. No longer would Canada use subjective criteria. Instead, it decided to use objective criteria to evaluate all candidates the same way: based on each candidate’s age, education, language skills, work experience, occupation, among other factors.

The benefits of the FSWP

Today, the FSWP is managed through the Express Entry application management system. Under Express Entry, Canada aims to welcome an average of 110,000 immigrants per year. Most successful Express Entry candidates immigrate to Canada through the FSWP. Research by the Canadian government shows that FSWP immigrants go on to have successful and fulfilling careers in Canada.

In addition, pursuing immigration through the FSWP is beneficial since you can gain permanent residence within six months, compared with longer processing times for Canada’s other skilled worker programs.

How the immigration process works with the FSWP:

Canada uses the Express Entry application management system for three skilled worker programs including the FSWP. If you have not lived in Canada before and are not a skilled trades professional, the FSWP will be your best Express Entry option. First, you need to see if you are eligible under the FSWP’s criteria. Then, you submit an Express Entry profile. You will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as your age, education, language skills, and work experience. Usually every two weeks, the Canadian government holds Express Entry draws inviting the candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. After submitting your completed application, you can expect to receive your permanent residence status within six months and then move to Canada.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can pursue immigration to Canada through the FSWP:

Step 1: Find out if you meet the FSWP’s eligibility criteria. CanadaVisa has a free eligibility tool.

Step 2: If you meet the criteria, you need to complete an English and/or French language test that is designated by the Canadian government. You also need to obtain an Educational Credential Assessment. You can learn more about how to complete this step and the costs on CanadaVisa’s Express Entry page.

Step 3: Submit your Express Entry profile onto the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This step is free.

Step 4: See if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. IRCC holds Express Entry draws approximately every two weeks.

Step 5: If you receive an ITA, you go ahead and submit your completed permanent residence application to IRCC. IRCC will aim to process the application within six months. You can then move to Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

Foreign nationals may begin the process of immigration under the Federal Skilled Worker Program by determining whether or not they meet the minimum requirements of the program. The minimum requirements are:

• One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation classified under the  National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A or B; 
• Validated language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking); and
• Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. 

IRCC determines candidates’ eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program based on its unique points grid. However, only the highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool are issued invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence. 

Candidate profiles in the Express Entry pool, which also includes Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class candidates, are ranked based on the CRS. 

To be eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, potential candidates must meet the minimum requirements for work, language ability, education and obtain at least 67 points under the program’s 100-point grid. The program’s selection factors grid assesses candidates based on factors that include age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language ability and adaptability.

Selection Factors

The FSWP’s selection factors are listed below. Click on each factor to learn more: 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the minimum eligibility requirements for a Canadian Immigration Visa under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)?

To be eligible for a Canada Immigration (Permanent Resident) Visa under the FSWP, candidates must:

• have at least one year of continuous full-time, or equivalent, paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation (National Occupational Classification skill type 0 or skill level A or B);
• have validated language test results equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking); and
• have a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential supported by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• have enough settlement funds for settlement in Canada.

FSWP applicants must attain at least 67 points on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s six immigration selection factors.

Finally, all applicants and their accompanying and non-accompanying dependents, under all categories of Canadian Immigration, must satisfy Canadian health and security/criminality requirements.

2. Can an individual apply directly for permanent residence under the FSWP?

The FSWP is managed by the Express Entry system, which issues invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular draws from its pool of candidates. Only those candidates who are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) may then apply for Canadian permanent residence.

3. Is there an eligible occupations list?

There is no eligible occupations list in place. Applicants need to have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in an occupation classified under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) as skill level A or B or skill type 0.

4. What documents must be included in support of an application under the FSWP?

If you successfully receive an Express Entry invitation to apply for permanent residence, you will be asked to submit the following documents under the FSWP in support of your permanent residence application:

• appropriate application forms, signed and completed;
• appropriate Canadian government processing fees;
• identity and civil status documents;
• travel documents and passports;
• evidence of education training/professional qualifications;
• evidence of work experience;
• IELTS or CELPIP and/or TEF or TCF Canada results or;
• Canadian educational credential assessment;
• evidence of Arranged Employment, if applicable;
• evidence of points claimed, if any, under the adaptability factor;
• police certificates and clearances;
• proof of settlement funds.

All candidates who receive an invitation to apply are also required to submit the following supporting documents along with their e-application:

• Valid passport
• Language test results
• Documentation attesting to work experience
• Police clearance certificate(s)
• An upfront medical information tracking sheet
• Photographs of principal applicant and family members

It is important to note that many Canadian Immigration Visa Offices have specific documentation requirements that must be respected to avoid having an application returned, delayed or even refused.

5. Under the FSWP, who may be included in an application?

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.

6 Does an FSWP candidate’s work experience have to be related to his or her education to be recognized?

Work experience does not have to be related to the candidate’s education, as long as he or she is performing or has performed the duties of the occupation for which he or she is claiming points.

7. Is a Canadian offer of employment required for a candidate to qualify as a Federal Skilled Worker?

A valid offer of employment is not required to qualify under the FSWP, 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 and 200 points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), depending on the type of job.

8. How can I improve my Express Entry CRS score for the FSWP?

Ways to improve your score include:

• Obtain all the CRS points you are eligible for
• If your spouse or partner (if applicable) has a higher CRS score than you, list them as the principal applicant
• Study hard for your language test. Retake the test if necessary to get a score you are satisfied with
• Try to secure an eligible job offer or try to secure a provincial nomination

9. Can a point be awarded if a candidate has a close relative in Canada?

Yes, a candidate will be awarded points under the Adaptability Factor if he or she, or his or her accompanying spouse or common-law partner, has a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and who is currently residing in Canada. To qualify as a close relative, the Canadian citizen or permanent resident must be a child, mother or father, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandchild or grandparent.

10. How many immigrants do Canada welcome under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) each year?

Express Entry is the main way Canada welcomes new skilled workers and the FSWP is among three skilled worker programs managed under Express Entry. Canada aims to welcome an average of 110,000 new immigrants through Express Entry each year. Most of these immigrants arrive under the FSWP and the Canadian Experience Class program.