Federal Skilled Worker Program
Permanent Residency for Skilled Workers
It is easier for skilled workers and professionals to become permanent residents in the country because their education and work experience to assist them in finding work. Large numbers of people retire in Canada every year, which means the need for skilled workers is growing tremendously. Canada’s immigration minister, Marco Mendicino, believes that skilled immigrants innovate, start companies and as a result, create jobs for Canadians.
Canada is the land of immense opportunities and shines as a beacon of political, economic, and social stability. International companies and investors consider Canada as the best environment in which to do business, expand, or relocate. Canada has one of the most vibrant economies in the world with a growing employment sector. This makes the country the most sought-after destination for skilled workers and professionals.
Canada is on the lookout for young, self-motivated, well-educated workers and professionals to contribute to its economic growth. Due to its knowledge-based economy, the country is seeking job-ready professionals who can adapt to and fulfill the requirements of the rapidly changing job market. The Canada skilled worker visa is a life-changing reward for all hardworking skilled workers and professionals looking to make a living in the maple country.
Employment Prospects
The Canadian economy is fast recovering after the COVID-19 pandemic. Jobs are trickling back into the market as companies open and you can expect the recovery to continue. Canada is relying on immigration to boost the economy post-Covid and plans to welcome over 1.2 million newcomers by 2023 as part of an ambitious economic recovery plan.| Biggest Industries in Canada for Skilled Workers |
|---|
| Technology & IT |
| Engineering & Architecture |
| News & Publishing |
| Healthcare |
| Commercial Banking & Finance |
| Marketing & Sales |
| Energy |
Professionals in High Demand
Engineers (Civil, Mechanical, Software & Petroleum), Technicians, Teachers, Professors and Lecturers, Nurses, Healthcare Practitioners, IT, Salespersons and Marketers, Bankers, Insurance Providers, and Adjusters, Accountants, Trades Persons and many more are in high demand in the country. Visit our blog here to find out where your occupation is in demand in Canada.
Immigration to Canada is readily available to individuals who have the right skillset. In this progressive country, they can raise their standard of living.
How to Qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program
In order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program under the Express Entry system, you must meet the following minimum requirements:- have one year of uninterrupted full time (or equivalent) work experience in the past 10 years under a NOC skill type (O, A, B); or
- have at least secondary education (high-school); and
- get a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all 4 abilities in one of Canada’s two official languages – English and French
- your level of English and/or French language proficiency;
- your level of education;
- your years of work experience;
- your age;
- whether you have a valid job offer;
- provincial nomination achieved, and
- your adaptability (how well you are likely to settle in Canada)
How to Apply for the FSWP
1. Create an Express Entry Profile
If you fulfill the above-mentioned eligibility criteria under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must first create an Express Entry profile. You will be required to provide information about your age, work experience, skills, language ability, education, qualifications, and other personal information as required. Once your qualification is confirmed by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), you are placed in a pool of candidates and are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System.2. Improve Your Ranking Under the Comprehensive Ranking System
Candidates who are ranked highest are issued an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residency when the Government of Canada conducts regular draws from the pool. Therefore, it is best for you as a candidate to improve your score so that you are ranked higher, and your chances of receiving an invitation to apply increases.3. Invitation to Apply (ITA)
An Invitation to Apply (ITA) is issued to those candidates who have been selected to apply for immigration to Canada by IRCC through its Express Entry selection system. As soon as you receive the invitation, you have a span of 60 days to submit a complete and accurate application form along with all the supporting documents. The submission of a complete application is considered as acceptance to the invitation sent by IRCC. Once all the portions of the document checklist are completed and uploaded, you will receive an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) issued by IRCC who will then further review your application and determine your eligibility for the program.4. Medical Examination and Security Check
A medical examination is mandatory for all applicants. It includes a standard physical exam, blood tests, urine tests, and X-rays. These are conducted to check applicants for any kind of medical condition that may pose a risk to citizens of Canada.Frequently Asked Questions: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
FAQ 1: What is the processing time for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?
Over 80 percent of complete FSWP applications are processed within six months or even less. This is a fairly short amount of time in comparison to many of the other Canadian immigration programs.FAQ 2: Can I count student work experience toward the Express Entry work requirement?
Student work experience gained while you were studying in Canada or abroad counts towards the minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program if the work:- was paid by wages or commissions;
- was continuous (no gaps in employment), and;
- meets all the other requirements of the program.
FAQ 3: What factors are considered under the Federal Skilled Worker Program?
There are six factors that are considered under the Federal Skilled Worker Program points grid. They are:- Language ability: up to 28 points
- Education: up to 25 points
- Work experience: up to 15 FSW points
- Age: up to 12 FSW points
- Arranged employment: up to FSW 10 points
- Adaptability: up to 10 points
FAQ 4: Does the FSWP have an eligible occupations list?
No, there is currently no particular eligible occupations list. As an applicant, you’ll need to have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years. The occupation needs to fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) of Canada as skill level A or B or skill type 0. With over 100 Canadian immigration programs and visas to choose from, why not enlist the services of a qualified and accredited immigration consultancy and make the visa application process simpler and stress-free? Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) will take care of all the paperwork so that you don’t have to. Simply complete our contact form and one of our friendly agents will contact you to help you through the application process and start your eligibility assessment.Immigration FAQ’s
Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is based on the following factors:
- Provincial Nomination;
- Offer of employment;
- Core capital factors;
- Your common-law partner or spouse;
- Skill transferability;
- Previous Canadian study experience;
- Siblings in Canada; and
- French and English Ability
Provincial Nomination (600 Points)
600 points are awarded for an enhanced Nominee certificate from a province in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Job Offers (50-600 Points)
A Canadian job offer will also earn you points; the number of points is based on the NOC level of the particular job.
Core Human Capital Factors (600 Points)
These take into account your level of education, for example:
- Certificate;
- Diploma; or
- Degree
If you intend to gain higher qualifications, your score will increase. This same point system applies to your legal partner or spouse if you applied together.
Language (150 Points)
Improving your language skills in either English or French through a recognized Canadian institution can also raise your CRS score.
Work Experience
The more experience you have, the more points you earn. This also applies to your legal partner or spouse.
You must:
- Meet all the requirements of the:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC);
- Federal Skilled Trades Class; or
- Canadian Experience Class
You must register with the Canadian Job Bank within 30 days unless:
- You have arranged employment from a Canadian employer; or
- You have received a nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program
You must have a Labour Market Impact Assessment in order to earn Comprehensive Ranking System points, unless you:
- Have worked full time for an employer with a work permit for a least one year (or a part-time job for an equal amount of time);
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer that is for at least one year in duration; or
- Have a valid employer specific temporary work permit exempt under code R204 (a), (c) or R205
If you qualify for any of the Federal Programs, you have 30 days from when you submit your profile to complete the rest of the requirements like registering with the Job Bank. If you do not, your Express Entry profile cannot be activated.
There are three programs to apply for under Express Entry:
- Skilled Federal Worker Program (SFWP);
- Skilled Federal Trades Program (SFTP); or
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The following factors affect your eligibility:
Work Experience
You must:
- Have gained relevant work experience for a job listed in the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Note: Work experience gained in another occupation you have not applied for does not apply;
- Have gained work experience in the past 10 years;
- Have received payment for your work;
- Have a job at skill level 0, A or B;
- Have a year’s worth of work experience (minimum 1,560 hours); and
- Prove that your work experience fits the requirements of the NOC
Language Ability
You must:
- Meet the minimum language level set by the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB);
- Take a language proficiency test That is approved by IRCC;
- You must meet the language requirements for either French or English; and
- Your language test results must not be more than two years old when you apply
Education
You must:
- Have completed canadian secondary education; and a tertiary certificate, diploma or degree;
- Have completed foreign credentials; or
- Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC
Proof of Funds
You must prove you can support yourself and your family financially, unless:
- You are working in Canada; or
- You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
Additional Factors to Be Considered
- Age;
- Valid job offers; and
- Adaptability
This program is aimed at people who wish to become permanent residents (PR) of Canada. This only applies to people who qualify in a skilled trade.
Minimum Requirements
You must:
- Plan to live outside of Quebec (The province has its own Quebec Skilled Worker Program);
- Meet the language requirements for English and French;
- Have two years’ work experience in a skilled trade (or equal amount of experience in a part time position;
- Have work experience within the past 5 years;
- Meet the job requirements in the National Occupational Classifications;
- Have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer for a minimum of one year; or
- A certificate of qualification for that skilled trade that is confirmed from the Canadian provincial or territorial government authority
Skilled Work Experience
These skilled trades are involved in the Federal Skilled Trades Program as ranked by the National Occupational Classification.
| Group Number | Job Description |
|---|---|
| 72 | Industrial, construction or electrical trades |
| 73 | Equipment operation and maintenance |
| 82 | Technical and supervisors in:
|
| 92 | Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor Central control operators |
| 632 | Cooks and chefs |
| 633 | Bakers and butchers |
Education
You do not need a specific qualification for this program, but you can earn more CRS points if you have:
- Foreign qualifications;
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC;or
- A Canadian certificate, diploma or degree
Language Ability
- Pass the Canadian Language Benchmark test at minimum language level;
- The language test must be approved by IRCC; and
- Your test results must not be older than two years when you apply.
Be assessed by the province or territory
Each of the provinces or territories have different requirements for the skilled trade industry.
Minimum Requirements
Minimum Requirements
You must:
- Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
- Have the required language skills needed for your job;
- Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
- Have the language proficiency needed for your job; and
- Have plans to live outside of Quebec
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be gained in the following job levels based on the National Occupational Classifications.
| Job Description | Skill Type |
|---|---|
| Technical jobs | B |
| Skilled trades | B |
| Professional jobs | A |
| Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if you:
- Have a high school diploma, tertiary diploma or degree;
- Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by IRCC; or
- Have completed foreign credentials
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in the various language tests determined by the CEC.
| Canadian Language Benchmark Score Needed | Job Level (NOC) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 0 |
| 7 | A |
| 5 | B |
The language test must be approved by IRCC and must not be older than two years when you apply.
- Have skilled work experience for at least 12 months (either full time or part time for the same amount of time) within three years before you apply;
- Have the required language skills needed for your job;
- Have gained experience in Canada with proper authorization;
- Have language levels need for your job; and
- Have plans to live outside of Quebec
Note:work experience gained as a student or a self-employed individual does not count.
Skilled Work Experience
Work experience must be within three years of applying for the Canadian Experience Class. Work experience must be gained in the following job levels as based on National Occupational Classifications.
| Job description | Skill Type |
|---|---|
| Technical jobs | B |
| Skilled trades | B |
| Professional jobs | A |
| Managerial jobs | 0 |
Education
You do not need an education to apply for this program, but you can score higher if:
- have a high school diploma and/or tertiary diploma or degree;
- have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; or have
- completed foreign credentials
Note: Only apply for an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if your foreign education is either equal to, or higher than the Canadian education standard.
Language Ability
To qualify you must score well in:
- the Canadian Language Benchmark; and
- the language tests
| Canadian Language Benchmark score needed | Job level (NOC) |
|---|---|
| 7 | 0 |
| 7 | A |
| 5 | B |
The Language Test must be approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada .These tests are based off your French and English ability to:
- Read;
- Speak;
- Listen; and
- Write
Your test results must be included if you are applying for this program through the Express Entry program. Note: these tests must not be older than two years when you apply.
Principal Applicant
When you apply for the Express Entry, and want to immigrate with your common law partner, you must choose who will be the principal applicant.
Note: a common law partner is a person who has been married to you for one year. This applies for same sex and opposite sex partners.
Choose the principal applicant by looking at who will score the highest points under the Express Entry program.
Inadmissibility
You may be inadmissible if you are:
- Considered a security risk;
- Lied about information in your application or interview;
- Have ties to organised crime;
- Can’t support yourself financially;
- Have terrible financial health;
- Committed a crime outside of Canada;
- Do not qualify under Canada’s immigration laws; and
- Have a family member that is not allowed in the country
Choosing Where To Live
Note:under the Express Entry you can apply to live in other provinces/territories in Canada, except Quebec. This province has its own set of requirements needed for you to enter.
These are the factors that are used to calculate CRS Points
- Age (max 110 points);
- Education (max 150 points);
- Language proficiency (max 160 points);
- Canadian Work Experience (max 80 points);
- Skills Transferability (max 100 points); and
- Additional Factors (max 600 points)
A legal agent is an authorized representative that must be:
- A paralegal or lawyer who has a good relationship with the provincial or territorial legal societies of Canada;
- A Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) who has a good relationship with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council; or
- A notary who has a good relationship with the Chambre des notaires du Québec
Note: An unauthorized agent will not be able to help you with your application.
If you want to ensure that your Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) is an authorized consultant, you can check with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).
The ICCRC’s website has a register of all the persons that are qualified to be Canadian Immigration Consultants. Any individual who claims to be a legal consultant will have a RCIC code. If there are no results for a person’s RCIC code, then they are not a legal Canadian Immigration Consultant.
