FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program constitutes one of the three components encompassed within Canada’s Express Entry system, which serves as the framework for the processing of immigration applications. The FSW program extends the opportunity for individuals possessing foreign work experience and lacking any affiliations to Canada to submit applications for permanent residency.
What is the Federal Skilled Worker program?
The administration of the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program falls under the purview of the Express Entry system, employing the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for the evaluation and ranking of individuals aspiring to establish permanent residency in Canada. Differing from Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates, Federal Skilled Workers are not obliged to possess prior Canadian work experience as a prerequisite for entry into the Express Entry pool. Rather, candidates are mandated to satisfy a stipulated minimum points threshold, which hinges upon various criteria encompassing employment history, linguistic proficiency, and educational qualifications. Subsequently, within the pool, candidates boasting the most competitive CRS scores will be extended invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Who is eligible to apply under the FSW program?
To be deemed eligible for participation in the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), a candidate is expected to fulfill specific minimum criteria in relation to their years of professional experience, educational attainment, age, and proficiency in the English or French language:
1. Work Experience:
– Possess a minimum of 12 months of consecutive, full-time, skilled work experience accomplished within the preceding 10 years (or an equivalent duration if part-time).
– Skilled work experience pertains to professional experience classified within NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B.
2. Language Proficiency:
– Attain a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 on a sanctioned English or French language assessment.
3. Education:
– Hold at least a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent foreign educational qualification.
4. Financial Support:
– Maintain adequate financial resources to support both themselves and any spouse and/or dependent children throughout their settlement in Canada.
5. Residence in Canada:
– Express a commitment to reside outside of the province of Quebec.
Should a candidate satisfy the aforementioned requisites, they must also demonstrate the attainment of a minimum score of 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid.
Upon fulfilling these conditions, candidates become eligible to submit an Express Entry profile tailored to the Federal Skilled Worker program. It is imperative to underscore that candidates must further adhere to Canada’s fundamental admissibility criteria. Certain criminal convictions and medical conditions may render an individual inadmissible to Canada.
How can I apply under the FSW program?
Prospective candidates interested in pursuing Canadian permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program must initiate the process by submitting an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is essential to emphasize that the submission of an Express Entry profile does not guarantee the conferral of Canadian permanent residence. Only upon submission of an Express Entry profile will a candidate be allocated a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, rendering them eligible for consideration in future Express Entry draws to receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
When crafting their Express Entry profile, an FSW candidate is obligated to furnish the following documents:
1. Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA):
– To accrue points for educational qualifications, an FSW candidate must furnish a valid ECA report verifying the equivalency of foreign educational credentials in accordance with Canadian standards. This mandate applies unless the educational credentials were acquired from a Canadian educational institution.
2. Language Proficiency Test Results:
– All applicants under the Express Entry programs must furnish the results of an authorized language proficiency test taken within the preceding two years. Acceptable examinations for English include the IELTS exam and the CELPIP exam (limited to Canada). For French proficiency, approved tests comprise the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).
3. Identification Documents:
– Candidates are mandated to provide details from their identification documents. It is recommended that both the candidate and accompanying family members possess valid passports for travel.
Should a candidate triumph in securing an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence, they will progress to the second phase of the application process. During this subsequent stage, applicants are accorded 60 days to compile and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR), which necessitates additional documentation.
Since the inception of the Express Entry system in 2015, the lowest-ranking FSW candidate to receive an ITA boasted a CRS score of 413 points. Should an applicant’s CRS score fall beneath this threshold, they should proactively explore avenues for enhancing their score.
How long does it take to process an FSW application?
The customary processing period for Express Entry applications encompasses six months, commencing from the moment the Canadian authorities receive the application to the issuance of a permanent residence visa.
It is imperative to acknowledge that various variables may exert influence on the processing duration, including:
1. The intricacy and/or comprehensiveness of your application.
2. The facility with which the reviewing officer can substantiate the information presented within your application.
3. The inclusion of an extra family member in your application.
Am I required to show settlement funds for FSW?
Federal Skilled Workers are obligated to establish their capacity to provide for themselves and their families upon their settlement in Canada.
The amount of funds requisite for settlement varies in accordance with the number of family members included in your application. Please consult the subsequent table for the specified amount corresponding to your family size:
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
Required sum as of May, 2023
In the event that you are unable to demonstrate an adequate level of settlement funds, it is still possible to proceed with an application as a Federal Skilled Worker if you successfully secure a job offer from a Canadian company.
What are the processing fees to apply under the FSW program?
The government-imposed processing fees are to be remitted upon the submission of an application for permanent residence within the framework of the Federal Skilled Worker program. These fees stand apart from the settlement funds that candidates are mandated to demonstrate as part of the Federal Skilled Worker eligibility criteria.
The processing fees, as stipulated for applications under the Federal Skilled Worker program, are delineated as follows:
Application Processing fee in $ CAD
Principal applicant (Comprising processing fee and right of permanent residence fee) $1365
Spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner (Including the right of permanent residence fee) $1365
A dependent child under 22 years of age, not classified as a spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner, or a dependent over 22 years of age unable to achieve financial self-sufficiency due to a physical or mental condition Add $230 per dependent, for each dependent
Last updated on May 10, 2022.
Do I need to provide language test results for the FSW program?
In order to submit an application under the Federal Skilled Worker program, candidates are obliged to furnish results obtained from a language examination that has received official recognition. To satisfy the stipulated minimum eligibility prerequisites, Federal Skilled Workers are compelled to attain a score of no less than CLB 7 or above in each segment of the language examination.
Federal Skilled Worker program vs Express Entry
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is administered under the Express Entry system. Express Entry, in itself, does not constitute a program; rather, it serves as a framework for the management of applications across three primary economic immigration programs, one of which is the FSWP.
Do I need a job offer to apply under the FSW Program?
A job offer is not a mandatory prerequisite for participation in the Federal Skilled Worker program. In fact, a substantial majority of candidates selected through the Express Entry system do not possess a formal Canadian job offer. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that a valid job offer has the potential to enhance the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of a Federal Skilled Worker by a range of 50 to 200 points. It is important to recognize that to be eligible for these additional points, the job offer typically necessitates the completion of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).
