Federal Skilled Workers | Canada Immigration Services

Federal Skilled Worker

Empowering Professionals: The Federal Skilled Worker Program

Ask Cantrust Visa

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the three programs under Canada’s Express Entry system. This program allows skilled workers to apply for permanent residency based on their work experience, language proficiency, and other qualifications. By meeting the criteria set by the FSWP, applicants can secure a streamlined path to building a new life in Canada.

Who is eligible as a
Federal Skilled Worker?

To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must score at least 67 points, based on the following six selection factors:

Additional Requirements

The FSWP points differ from the CRS points used in the Express Entry pool. FSWP points determine your eligibility as a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), while CRS points rank you against other candidates in the Express Entry pool. Below are the additional minimum requirements to be eligible for FSW under Express Entry. Once eligible, you enter the Express Entry pool under FSW, where the CRS ranks your profile. The highest-ranking candidates are then invited to apply for permanent residence.

Skilled Work Experience

You must have at least 1 year of paid, continuous (full-time or an equal amount of part-time) skilled work experience in NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the past ten years.

Language Ability

You must have taken an approved language test in English or French within the last 2 years. For English, you need a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, which equals a CELPIP score of 7 or an IELTS score of 6 in all sections.

Education

You must have a certificate, diploma, or degree from a secondary or post-secondary institution. If obtained outside Canada, it must be accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.

Proof of Funds

You must have enough funds to support yourself and your family while settling in Canada, unless you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer and are legally authorized to work in Canada.

Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada, as some individuals may be deemed "inadmissible" under Canadian immigration law. Reasons for inadmissibility can include security concerns, criminal activity, or medical issues.

Live outside Quebec

You must plan to reside outside of Quebec, as the province has its own process for selecting skilled workers. If you intend to live in Quebec, please refer to information specific to Quebec-selected skilled workers.

Express Entry Made Easy

At Cantrust Visa, we make Express Entry easy with our completely Free Assessment. If Express Entry is an option for you, we’ll create and submit your profile for free, and you only pay if you receive an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence. If Express Entry isn’t a viable option right now, we’ll provide free guidance on improving your profile and suggest other Canadian immigration pathways that might be a better fit for you.

federal skilled worker FAQs

What is considered Skilled work experience?

Skilled work experience means you’ve worked in one of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories:

TEER 0
TEER 1
TEER 2
TEER 3

To qualify, you must demonstrate that while working in your primary occupation, you performed the actions in the lead statement of the NOC description and most of the main duties listed.

Your “primary occupation” is the job you have experience in and want to base your immigration application on if invited to apply. It may not necessarily be your most recent work experience. If you don’t have the minimum work experience in the primary NOC you choose, you won’t be eligible.

What is considered Part-time work experience?

Part-time work experience must be paid, either through wages or commission, and does not include volunteer work or unpaid internships. To qualify, you can work more or less than 15 hours per week as long as it totals 1,560 hours. You can combine hours from multiple part-time jobs to meet this requirement. However, any hours worked above 30 hours per week are not counted.

Does work experience gained as a student count?

Yes, work experience gained while you were studying can count towards your minimum requirements if it was paid by wages or commissions, was continuous without gaps in employment, and meets all other requirements of the program.

How do they calculate my work experience for FSW?

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, your work experience must total at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours. This can be achieved in several ways:

Full-time at 1 job: 30 hours per week for 12 months, totaling 1,560 hours.
Equal amount in part-time work: For example, 15 hours per week for 24 months, totaling 1,560 hours.
Full-time at more than 1 job: 30 hours per week for 12 months across multiple jobs, totaling 1,560 hours.

You can combine hours from multiple part-time jobs to meet this requirement.

Are you looking for a

Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant?

Need to ask a question? email us: contact@cantrustvisa.com