EXPRESS ENTRY - FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is one of the three main federal immigration programs under the Express Entry system. IRCC launched the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program in 1967. Under this program, eligible candidates are assessed based on factors such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria.
The most important benefit of the FSW program is that it allows skilled workers having foreign work experience to immigrate to Canada and apply for Canada PR Visa.
You have the option to apply from either inside or outside of Canada.
The FSWP is part of the Express Entry system, and candidates are ranked against one another through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which assigns each candidate a CRS score out of a total of 1200 points.
There is no requirement to have a job offer in Canada to apply under the Express Entry, the applicant’s qualifications will be assessed based on their ability to become economically established in Canada, including their education, skilled work experience, and ability to speak English or French, among other factors.
TEER and the Federal Skilled Worker Program
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), your occupation must be TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3, in addition to the other qualifications needed to immigrate through the program.
Click here to find out TEER categories and examples of jobs
General steps to apply for the FSW program:
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Step 1: Determine Eligibility for FSWP
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Step 2: Education Assessment
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Step 3: Language Proficiency Test
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Step 4: Create Express Entry FSWP Profile
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Step 5: Receive ITA
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Step 6: Medical Exam & Police Clearance
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Step 7: Application Processing Phase
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Step 8: Confirmation of Permanent Residence
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Step 9: Move to Canada
RCIC Free Consultation
Professional Immigration Service
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Provide a professional assessment of your case
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Provide personalized options and solutions based on your unique situation
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Guide you in the preparation and provide TIPS to maximize your CRS score
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Prepare a detailed submission letter to IRCC outlining your qualifications and eligibility
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Prepare an explanation letter if it's necessary for your case
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Complete and submit full application package
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Handle IRCC correspondence and communicate with other authoritative party
Factors that affect CRS scores
Education
Applicants are awarded points based on their highest level of education, ranging from 5 points for a secondary school credential to 25 points for a Ph.D. If your formal education was conducted outside of Canada, you will also need to submit a Canadian equivalency assessment report from an approved agency
Language Proficiency
Applicants under the Skilled Worker category must prove their language proficiency in English and/or French in order to obtain these points. This requires you to provide the results of an approved language test as part of your application. You will be tested and separately scored on your speaking, reading, writing, and listening abilities. To be valid, you must have taken your language test within the last two years of applying.
Work Experience
Skilled Worker applicants receive additional points for each year that they have worked, for up to six years. The work experience must be in what is considered a skilled job, and must be equivalent to full-time experience. You can check whether your work experience is considered a skilled job in the NOC listing.
Arranged Employment
If the Skilled Worker applicant is in Canada with a work permit that was obtained on the basis of a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and the applicant’s employer is willing to employ them on a permanent basis, then the applicant will obtain points for having arranged employment in Canada. If the applicant is not working in Canada but has an offer of employment based on an LMIA, then points will also be awarded.
Age
Applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 receive the full amount of points allowed for this category. Applicants lose one point per year that they are above the age of 35. For example, if you are 40 years old, you will have 5 points deducted from your age score.
Adaptabilty
Applicants can also receive additional points for adaptability. These points are awarded for things like having arranged employment, work or study experience in Canada by the applicant or their spouse, or having a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.