Federal Skilled Worker

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Federal Skilled Worker is one of the most popular permanent immigration programs to Canada, along with Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program. It is mostly oriented to foreign skilled workers who do not have any relevant for immigration Canadian experience, but who have necessary skills to contribute to Canadian development and prosperity.

Main requirements:

• Have minimum 1 year continuous full-time (1560 total hours or 30 hours/week) or equivalent (2 continuous years part-time, 15 hours/week) paid work experience in occupations which fall under NOC TEER 0/1/2/3 in 10 years before applying. To find out your NOC TEER, check here by entering your occupations. The higher your TEER, the better.

• Completed foreign education and education credential assessment, or Canadian secondary or post-secondary degree.

• Meet minimum criteria (67 points) on the six selection factors.

• Proof of funds for an applicant and accompanying family.

• Proof of language proficiency through an approved test. Minimum language requirements: CLB 7 in all four skills.

Tips:

FSW is based on immigration points.

• The younger you are, the more points you get. 

• More years of work experience give you more points.

• The higher your level of education, the more points you get.

• You may also get points for Canadian education or work experience.

• The higher your language test results, the more points you get.

• Second official language can help you get more points if your CLB is 5 or higher.

• Job offer can give you more points.

• Provincial nomination can give you more points.

• If you gained a minimum 6-months full-time continuous work experience in past 3 years in any professions which NOC falls under any of these occupations, or if your level of French is at the CLB 7 or higher, the points threshold may be significantly lower for you. 

• Your partner may reduce the number of points you get if you immigrate together (but not necessarily). It’s a case-by-case situation where your partner must be your “immigration ally”.

• If you or your partner have a sibling living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident, you may get additional points.

• Points can be calculated here. The range of points is presented here.

• You need as more points as possible. Check previous draws here.

Simplified Process Model

1. Pass you language test and evaluate your diplomas,

2. Create an Express Entry profile,

3. Get an ITA (Invitation to apply),

4. Submit your documents within 60 days after receiving ITA and pay fees ($1,525 for main applicant + $1,525 if you want your spouse or partner to accompany you + $260 per every dependent child accompanying you),

5. Wait for the decision (you can check approximate waiting times here),

6. Get the decision, and if positive:

- if you are outside Canada, send your passport for an immigration visa and your photo as specified in the decision letter, then get your passport with your visa and COPR, come to Canada within terms specified in your visa (usually around 6 months), and finally wait for your PR card at Canadian address you provided at the port of entry (check waiting times here).

- if you are in Canada, receive your e-COPR, submit your photo and wait for the PR card.

Language tests

• For English, Canada accepts IELTS-General, CELPIP-General and PTE Core.

• For French, Canada accepts TEF-Canada and TCF-Canada.

Canada measures and gives immigration points for your official languages proficiency based on Canadian Language Benchmarks/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien. Click here to find out how language tests results are reflected through Canadian Language Benchmarks/Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien.

Minimum language requirements: CLB 7 in all four skills.

Remember: the higher your language test results, the more points you get.

Basic list of documents you may need:

• Use of a Representative form, if you’ve hired an immigration consultant,

• a passport or travel document (all pages),

• language test results,

• educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes or proof of Canadian education,

• proof of work experience (job letters),

• proof of funds,

• digital photos,

• police certificates from countries where you’ve lived for over 6 months in past 10 years (not needed from Canada),

• marriage / divorce / death certificate / common-law union form as proof of your marital status, 

• birth certificate, if you’re declaring dependent children,

• adoption certificate, when a dependent child is listed as “adopted”,

• provincial nomination (if you have one),

• written job offer from an employer in Canada (if you have one),

• proof of relationship to a relative in Canada (if you have one)

• authority to release personal information to a designated individual form (if applicable),

• other supportive documents depending on your case, 

• any other documents that you feel are relevant to your application.

Disclaimer: Provided information is not a legal advice. Every case is unique. We recommend you to discuss your case with a specialist first.

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Last updated December 14, 2024