The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is a Canadian immigration program that allows skilled workers with foreign work experience to apply for permanent residency, even if they have no connections to Canada. It is part of the Express Entry system, which is a points-based system that prioritizes candidates with the skills and experience that are in demand in Canada.
What is the Federal Skilled Worker program?
The FSW program is a way for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada permanently. It is part of the Express Entry system, which is a points-based system that assesses candidates based on their skills, experience, and other factors. To qualify for the FSW program, you do not need to have Canadian work experience. However, you must meet a minimum points requirement. Once you are in the Express Entry pool, you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence if you have one of the highest CRS scores.
Who is eligible for the FSWP?
To qualify for the FSWP, you must:
- Have at least 1 year of full-time skilled work experience in the past 10 years (or an equal amount in part-time experience). Skilled work experience is defined as work that is classified under NOC skill type 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.
- Have a minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent in foreign education.
- Have enough money to support yourself and any spouse and/or children in Canada.
- Intend to live outside of Quebec.
- Score at least 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid.
If you meet all of these requirements, you can submit an Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, you must also meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements. Certain criminal offenses and medical conditions may make you inadmissible to Canada.
Applying for the FSW program
To immigrate to Canada permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must create an Express Entry profile. This does not guarantee that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence, but it will assign you a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and place you in the Express Entry pool.
To apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must first create an Express Entry profile. Express Entry is a system that the Canadian government uses to manage immigration applications from skilled workers and other eligible candidates.
Once you have created an Express Entry profile, you will be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS is a points-based system that assesses candidates based on their work experience, language skills, education, age, and other factors.
The highest-scoring candidates in the Express Entry pool will be invited to apply for permanent residence. If you receive an invitation to apply, you will have 60 days to submit your application.
Documents Required by FSW Candidates for Express Entry Profile Submission
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Required to assess the value of foreign education in Canadian terms
- Issued by five authorized organizations in Canada
- Not required for educational credentials obtained from a Canadian educational institution
Identification Documents
- Passport is the ideal form of identification, but other government-issued identification documents may be accepted
- All candidates and accompanying family members should have passports that are valid for travel
Language Proficiency Test Results
- Accepted tests for English: IELTS and CELPIP (only available in Canada)
- Accepted tests for French: TEF and TCF Canada
- Results must be from an approved language test taken within the previous two years
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the FSWP:
- Create an Express Entry profile.
- Meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the FSWP.
- Take an approved English or French language test and achieve the required CLB score.
- Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your foreign education (if applicable).
- Gather your supporting documents.
- Submit your Express Entry profile.
- Wait for an invitation to apply (ITA).
- Submit your permanent residence application.
- Complete your medical exam and criminal background check.
- Pay the required fees.
- Wait for a decision on your application.
If your permanent residence application is approved, you will be issued a visa and can then move to Canada.
How long does it take to process a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) application?
The processing time for a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) application is currently estimated to be 31 months (or less) from the date the application is received by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). However, this processing time is subject to change and may be longer or shorter depending on a number of factors, such as:
- The number of applications received by IRCC
- The complexity of the application
- Whether or not any additional information is required from the applicant
IRCC also notes that the processing time does not include the time it takes to submit an Express Entry profile, receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and prepare the final application for submission.
Settlement Funds for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
What are settlement funds?
Settlement funds are the amount of money you need to support yourself and your family when you first arrive in Canada. You must show that you have enough settlement funds to meet your basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, and other essentials for at least the first six months after you arrive.
How much settlement funds do you need?
The amount of settlement funds you need depends on the size of your family. The following table shows the minimum settlement funds required for FSW applicants:
| Number of Family Members | Funds Required |
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| For each additional family member | $3,706 |
Language testing requirements
All applicants to the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program must provide results from an approved language test. To meet the minimum eligibility requirements, FSW applicants must score at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in each area of the language exam.
This means that FSW applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English or French, both orally and in writing. The language test results must be from a test that is accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
FSW Eligibility Points vs. CRS Score
FSW eligibility points and CRS score are two different concepts in the Canadian immigration system. FSW eligibility points are used to determine if a candidate meets the minimum requirements to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. On the other hand, CRS score is used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool, which includes all candidates applying for permanent residence through one of the three Express Entry programs, including the FSW program.
To submit an Express Entry profile as an FSW candidate, you must score at least 67 points. However, your CRS score, which is based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language skills, will determine your ranking in the Express Entry pool. The higher your CRS score, the more likely you are to be invited to apply for permanent residence.
In short, FSW eligibility points are a prerequisite for submitting an Express Entry profile as an FSW candidate, while CRS score determines your ranking in the Express Entry pool.
Foreign Work Experience CRS Points Calculation
To calculate CRS points for foreign work experience, you must first consider your official language proficiency and Canadian work experience. If you have three or more years of foreign work experience, you will be able to claim the highest number of CRS points under these factors. See the table below for a breakdown of CRS points for foreign work experience.
Benefits of immigrating to Canada through the FSWP
There are many benefits to immigrating to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Here are a few of the most notable:
- A strong economy and job market. Canada has a strong economy with a low unemployment rate. There is a high demand for skilled workers in many different industries, including healthcare, technology, and education.
- A high standard of living. Canada has a high standard of living, with access to quality healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
- A diverse and welcoming society. Canada is a multicultural country with a long history of welcoming immigrants.
- A path to citizenship. Permanent residents of Canada are eligible to apply for citizenship after three years.
Frequently asked questions about the FSWP
Q: What is the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system?
The NOC system is a system used by the Canadian government to classify jobs. It groups jobs together based on their skill level and complexity. The NOC system is used to determine eligibility for the FSWP, as well as other immigration programs.
Q: What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?
The CRS is a points-based system used to rank Express Entry candidates. Candidates are awarded points based on their age, education, work experience, language skills, and other factors. The higher a candidate’s CRS score, the more likely they are to be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Q: What is the minimum CRS score required for the FSWP?
The minimum CRS score required for the FSWP is 67. However, the cut-off score varies from time to time, depending on the number of candidates in the pool and the number of invitations to apply (ITAs) that the Canadian government is issuing.
Q: What are the language proficiency requirements for the FSWP?
To be eligible for the FSWP, you must meet the minimum language proficiency requirements in English or French. You can do this by taking a language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Q: How much money do I need to immigrate to Canada through the FSWP?
There is no upfront investment required to apply for the FSWP. However, you will need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family for a period of six months after you arrive in Canada. This amount is known as your settlement funds.
Q: What happens after I submit my Express Entry profile?
Once you submit your Express Entry profile, it will be entered into the Express Entry pool. Candidates in the pool are ranked based on their CRS score. The Canadian government invites candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence.
Q: How long does it take to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence?
The time it takes to receive an ITA for permanent residence varies depending on your CRS score and the number of invitations that the Canadian government is issuing. Candidates with the highest CRS scores typically receive an ITA within a few weeks or months.
Q: What happens after I receive an ITA for permanent residence?
Once you receive an ITA for permanent residence, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. If your application is successful, you will be issued a visa to come to Canada and live permanently.
Q: Can I bring my family with me to Canada when I immigrate through the FSWP?
Yes, you can bring your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children with you to Canada when you immigrate under the FSWP.
Q: What are some of the things I should do to prepare for my move to Canada?
There are a number of things you can do to prepare for your move to Canada, such as:
- Research the job market in your field and start networking with potential employers.
- Find a place to live and make arrangements for your family’s education.
- Learn about Canadian culture and customs.
- Gather all of the necessary documentation for your immigration application.
