Applying As a Federal Skilled Worker

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program is one of the three federal programs managed through the Express Entry. The Express Entry is an online system used to manage applications from economic class immigrants who can contribute to Canada’s economy. The FSW program is for skilled workers that have foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada.

Eligibility Requirements to Become a Federal Skilled Worker

In order to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must meet all the minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language ability, and education. The application will then be assessed on various selection factors to determine eligibility. You will be awarded points for each of the six selection factors and given a score out of 100. The six selection factors are: age, education, work experience, English and/or French language skills, settlement adaptability, and whether you have a valid job offer. The current pass mark is 67 points.

Minimum Program Requirements

Skilled work experience

An applicant must have skilled work experience in one of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups: Skill Level 0, Skill Type A, and Skill Type B. However, as of November 16, 2022, TEER categories will replace the previous job groups:

• TEER 0 – managerial jobs, such as restaurant managers, marketing and public relations, financial managers…etc.;
• TEER 1 – professional jobs that usually require a university degree, such as doctors, dentists, engineers…etc.;
• TEER 2 – occupations that require either a college diploma or apprenticeship training of 2 or more years, such as web technicians, medical laboratory technologists, heavy equipment operators …etc.;
• TEER 3 – occupations that require either a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than  years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training, such as bakers, plumbers, clerks…etc.

Your job must fit within one of those groups and you must show that you performed the duties listed in the occupational description in the National Occupation Classification (NOC). The NOC is a government database that lists the main duties and any other requirements applicants need to show as part of the occupational description.

An applicant’s skilled work experience must be in the same type of job you are using in your application (primary occupation). It also must be gained within the last 10 years. At least one year of paid, continuous work experience is required. This must equal 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week) using either full-time or part-time employment or a combination of the two.

Language ability

Applicants must also meet the required language level needed in each language ability—writing, reading, listening, and speaking. The Government of Canada uses the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) to measure the varying English language ability of prospective immigrants and citizens. For each language ability there is a designated test to assess your proficiency. Applicants must at least score a Canadian Language Benchmark of 7 in all four ability areas.

The recognized language tests are the IELTS and the CELPIP. Language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result and must be valid when you apply permanent residence.

Education

Applicants must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a secondary school institution (high school) or a post-secondary school institution (university or college). If you did not go to school in Canada then you must show that you have a certificate, diploma or degree issued upon completion of the program, as well as an educational credential assessment (ECA). An ECA is used to verify that your education is valid and equal to a Canadian one. You need to complete an assessment for immigration purposes through an organization or a professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Selection Factors

If you meet the minimum program requirements, your application will then be assessed on various selection factors to determine eligibility. You will be awarded points based on the six selection factors: age, education, work experience, English and/or French language skills, settlement adaptability, and whether you have a valid job offer. If an applicant scores 67 or higher out of 100 then they may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Once you have completed your application as part of the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you will enter the Express Entry pool and your profile will be ranked according to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Point System

Settlement Adaptability5 (relatives in Canada, past studies in Canada…etc.)10 (past work experience in Canada)