Skilled Workers Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) stands out as a premier pathway to obtain permanent residency in Canada. It’s prominently featured as one of the three key categories within Canada’s Express Entry System.

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Introduced in January 2015 by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Express Entry revolutionized the immigration process by implementing an online point-based system.

Within Express Entry, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) serves as a pathway for skilled foreign workers seeking Canadian Permanent Residency (PR), forming a cornerstone of Canada’s economic immigration initiatives.

Under the Federal Skilled Worker category of Express Entry, applicants undergo assessment based on six selection factors, earning points accordingly. Upon reaching the minimum required points threshold, applicants become eligible for inclusion in the Express Entry pool and subsequently receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score.

Regular Express Entry draws, conducted by IRCC, invite candidates from the pool to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) Visa, making it a dynamic and competitive process for skilled individuals seeking immigration to Canada.

Six Factors for Selecting Federal Skilled Workers (FSWs) with Points Allocation

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category, applicants need to achieve a minimum score of 67 out of 100 points, which is determined based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, adaptability, and employment.

(1) Education

1. University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level or equal- 25 points
2. University degree at the Master’s level or equivalent –23 points
3. University level entry-to-practice professional degree. Occupation related to the degree must be:- NOC 2011 Skill Level A and licensed by a provincial regulatory body (Degree must be secured in Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Law, Chiropractic Medicine, or Pharmacy) – 23 points
4. Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equal (at least one must be for a program of at least three years)-22 points
5. Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a program of three years or longer, or equal- 21 points
6. Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a two-year program, or equal-19 points
7. Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a one-year program, or equal-15 points
8. Canadian high school diploma, or equal-5 points

(2) Experience-          Maximum 15 points 

(3) Age-

Age Points

(4) English Skills-1st Official language.

CLB Level 9: Points Per Ability: 6 

• Listening: over 8.0
• Reading: over 7.0
• Writing: over 7.0
• Speaking: over 7.0

CLB Level 8: Points Per Ability: 5

• Listening: 7.5
• Reading: 6.5
• Writing: 6.5
• Speaking: 6.5

CLB Level 7: Points Per Ability: 4 ** MINIMUM THRESHOLD**

• Listening: 6.0
• Reading: 6.0
• Writing: 6.0
• Speaking: 6.0

Second Official language

CLB Level 5: Points (Total) = 4 

• Listening: 5.0
• Reading: 4.0
• Writing: 5.0
• Speaking: 5.0

(2) French Skills

First Official language

NCLC Level 9: Points Per Ability: 6

• Listening: over 298
• Reading: over 248
• Writing: over 371
• Speaking: over 371

NCLC Level 8: Points Per Ability: 5

• Listening: 280 – 297
• Reading: 233 – 247
• Writing: 349 – 370
• Speaking: 349 – 370

CLB Level 7: Points Per Ability: 4 ** MINIMUM THRESHOLD**

• Listening: 248 – 279
• Reading: 207– 232
• Writing: 310 – 348
• Speaking: 310– 348

Second Official language

NCLC Level 7: Points (Total) =4 points

• Listening: 181 – 298+
• Reading: 151 – 248+
• Writing: 226 – 371+
• Speaking: 226 – 371+

(5) Arranged Employment-Has to be assessed in detail.-10 points

(6) Adaptability-10 points