01
Skilled Work Experience
You generally need at least one year of continuous qualifying skilled work experience, equal to at least 1,560 hours.
IMMIGRATE
Federal Skilled Worker Program
An Express Entry pathway for skilled workers with qualifying work experience who want to build a permanent future in Canada.
Assess Your FSWP EligibilityFEDERAL SKILLED WORKER PROGRAM
What Is the Federal Skilled Worker Program?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program, commonly known as FSWP, is one of Canada's federal economic immigration programs managed through Express Entry.
It is intended for skilled workers who have qualifying work experience and meet minimum requirements relating to language ability, education and skilled employment.
The program can be particularly relevant for applicants whose qualifying work experience was gained outside Canada.
Applicants must first meet the Federal Skilled Worker Program's minimum requirements and score at least 67 out of 100 points under the program's selection-factor grid before they can qualify to enter the Express Entry pool under FSWP.
ELIGIBILITY
Minimum FSWP Requirements
Before the 67-point selection grid is considered, applicants must first satisfy the program's minimum requirements.
02
Primary Occupation
The work experience used to meet the minimum FSWP requirement must be in the same NOC as your primary occupation and must fall within NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.
03
Recent Experience
Your qualifying work experience must generally have been obtained within the ten years before you apply.
04
Language Ability
You must take an approved English or French test and achieve at least CLB or NCLC 7 in all four language abilities.
05
Education
You must have at least a Canadian secondary educational credential or a qualifying foreign credential supported by an Educational Credential Assessment.
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67-Point Threshold
After meeting the minimum requirements, you must score at least 67 out of 100 points under the FSWP selection factor system.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Understanding Qualifying Work Experience
Your work history must satisfy several requirements before it can be used for Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility.
✓
Same Primary NOC
The qualifying experience used to meet the minimum work requirement must be in the same NOC as the occupation you identify as your primary occupation.
✓
At Least One Continuous Year
You generally need at least one continuous year of qualifying work experience, equal to 1,560 hours. The experience may be full-time or an equivalent amount of part-time work, and IRCC counts a maximum of 30 hours per week toward this requirement.
✓
Paid Employment
The qualifying experience must be paid employment. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not count.
✓
Correct NOC Duties
Your actual duties must correspond with the NOC lead statement and most of the main duties for your claimed occupation.
✓
Canadian or Foreign Experience
Qualifying work experience may have been obtained in Canada or outside Canada, provided the applicable requirements are met.
✓
Student Work May Count
Unlike the Canadian Experience Class, work completed while studying may count toward the FSWP minimum requirement if it was paid, continuous and meets all other program requirements.
SELECTION FACTORS
The 67-Point FSWP Selection Grid
Candidates who meet the minimum program requirements are assessed using six selection factors for a maximum total of 100 points.
UP TO 28 POINTS
Language Skills
Points are awarded for proficiency in Canada's official languages, based on approved language test results.
UP TO 25 POINTS
Education
Points depend on your completed level of education and, for foreign credentials, the applicable Educational Credential Assessment.
UP TO 15 POINTS
Work Experience
Additional years of eligible skilled work experience can increase your selection-factor score.
UP TO 12 POINTS
Age
Age is assessed according to the program's selection grid, with the number of points varying by age.
UP TO 10 POINTS
Arranged Employment
A qualifying Canadian job offer may contribute selection-factor points when the applicable requirements are satisfied.
UP TO 10 POINTS
Adaptability
Factors involving you or an accompanying spouse or partner may provide additional adaptability points.
AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
FSWP Points and CRS Points Are Not the Same
One of the most common areas of confusion in Express Entry is the difference between the Federal Skilled Worker selection grid and the Comprehensive Ranking System.
The 67-point FSWP grid is used to determine whether you meet the Federal Skilled Worker Program's selection threshold.
Once you qualify and enter the Express Entry pool, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is used to rank your profile against other candidates.
It is therefore possible to meet the 67-point threshold but still have a CRS score that is not high enough to receive an invitation in a particular round.
67 Points ≠ CRS Score
These are two separate scoring systems used at different stages of the Federal Skilled Worker and Express Entry process.
Review My EligibilityLANGUAGE & EDUCATION
Two Core Eligibility Requirements
Both language ability and education are fundamental to Federal Skilled Worker Program eligibility.
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Minimum Language Level
Applicants must currently achieve at least CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
✓
Approved Language Test
Language ability must be demonstrated through an approved English or French language examination.
✓
Canadian Education
A qualifying Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree may satisfy the education requirement.
✓
Foreign Education
Applicants relying on foreign education generally require a completed credential and an Educational Credential Assessment for immigration purposes.
SETTLEMENT FUNDS
Proof of Funds May Be Required
Federal Skilled Worker applicants generally need to demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family after arriving in Canada.
The required amount depends on family size and is updated periodically by IRCC.
Proof of funds is generally not required if you are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer, provided the applicable IRCC requirements are met.
Avoid Using an Outdated Funds Amount
IRCC updates settlement-fund requirements. Always verify the current amount applicable to your family size before submitting an application.
Discuss My ApplicationAPPLICATION PROCESS
How the FSWP Process Works
Federal Skilled Worker applications are managed through Canada's Express Entry system.
1
Confirm Minimum Eligibility
Review your skilled work experience, language results and education.
2
Calculate FSWP Points
Determine whether you meet the required 67-point selection threshold.
3
Create Express Entry Profile
If eligible, create your Express Entry profile and enter the candidate pool.
4
Compete for an Invitation
Candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool and may receive an Invitation to Apply in an applicable invitation round.
5
Apply for PR
If invited, submit the permanent residence application and supporting documentation within the applicable deadline.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Your NOC and Employment Evidence Matter
A job title alone does not determine whether work experience qualifies under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Your actual employment duties should correspond with the lead statement and most of the main duties of the NOC occupation you are claiming.
Employment records should also support the period of employment, hours worked, position, compensation and duties claimed in your application.
Have Skilled Work Experience Outside Canada?
AddPlus Immigration Solutions Inc. can review your work history, education and language background and help you assess whether the Federal Skilled Worker Program may be an appropriate pathway.
Contact UsEXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS
Explore Your Federal Skilled Worker Options
Tell us about your work experience, education, language results and immigration goals, and our team can help you assess your potential eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
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