The Federal Skilled Worker program is one of Canada’s economic immigration pathways, aimed at selecting applicants with strong work histories and specialized skills to contribute to the Canadian economy.
As per the policy change implemented on January 1, 2015, all applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program are required to be processed through Canada’s Express Entry immigration system. Submissions made prior to this date will continue to be evaluated based on the regulations of the earlier framework.
To qualify for this program, applicants must:
- Hold a valid employment offer, or
- Be eligible for working in Canada, or
- Show that they have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and any dependents after arriving in Canada.
Additionally, candidates must:
- Possess at least one year of full-time work experience in a skilled occupation;
- Meet the minimum language proficiency requirements in English or French;
- Have completed post-secondary education (degree, diploma, or certificate);
- Intend to reside outside Quebec.
1. What occupational experience should I have?
Canada uses a system called the National Occupational Classification (NOC) to categorize jobs. To be eligible as a skilled worker, your past work must be classified under:
- Skill Type 0 (management jobs),
- Skill Level A (professional jobs that usually require a degree), or
- Skill Level B (technical jobs and skilled trades).
Your work experience must also be paid, unpaid internships or volunteer roles don’t count.
It should be either of them:
- Full-time work (at least 30 hours per week), or
- Part-time work that adds up to the same number of hours.
- This experience must have been gained within the last 10 years.
Note: If you already have a permanent job offer in Canada, these restrictions might not apply to you.
2. Scoring Method for Federal Skilled Worker Program
If you’re applying as a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), you must earn at least 67 out of 100 points based on six major criteria:
- Your education level, such as degrees or diplomas
- Your language proficiency in English and/or French, Canada’s two official languages
- Your job experience in a skilled field.
- Your current age
- Whether you have an arranged job waiting for you in Canada
- How well you are likely to adjust to life in Canada (this includes factors like previous study/work in Canada or relatives living there)
You can check the Six Selection Factors page to see how points are awarded and whether you meet the required threshold. They are as follows:
- Skilled workers
- Minimum requirements
- Selection factors
- Proof of funds
- Admissibility
- Where you can live in Canada
Note:The FSW points system is not the same as the points you receive under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
3. How do I initiate the application process as a Federal Skilled Worker?
If you qualify under the FSW criteria, the first step is to submit an Express Entry profile. Express Entry is an online immigration system introduced by the Canadian government to handle applications for economic-based immigration streams such as FSW, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
4. Additional Resources
Federal Skilled Worker Program: Comprehensive details on eligibility criteria and the application process are available via the official IRCC website.
Come to Canada Tool: An interactive tool offered by IRCC to help prospective applicants assess their immigration, study, work, or travel options.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): Canada’s federal department in charge of immigration and citizenship services. The site includes immigration policies, application forms, and program overviews.
IRCC Help Centre: A searchable database that provides answers to frequently asked questions related to Canadian immigration and visas.
