EXPRESS ENTRY
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) was inaugurated in 1967, marking a significant initiative by the Government of Canada to selectively choose skilled immigrants globally. Pioneering the use of a point-based system, FSW revolutionized the immigration landscape by enabling the government to employ objective criteria for evaluating and ranking candidates seeking to relocate to Canada.
Remarkably, the Federal Skilled Worker Program has emerged as the preeminent Economic Immigration Program in Canada. It confers Permanent Resident status to eligible individuals who have not previously visited Canada, lack Canadian work experience, haven’t pursued studies in Canada, and even those without a sponsoring relative. Whether contemplating immigration from India, Qatar, Nigeria, Pakistan, or any other country, the Federal Skilled Worker Program presents itself as a direct and viable pathway for Canadian immigration.
Within the Federal Skilled Worker program, candidates undergo assessment, garnering points based on factors such as age, educational qualifications, proficiency in English or French, foreign work experience, primary occupation, potential employment in Canada, and adaptability. Notably, since January 2015, all Federal Skilled Worker applications are exclusively processed through the Express Entry system, an advanced electronic application management system utilized by IRCC for efficient handling of Permanent Residence applications in Canada.
Applying for Canadian Permanent Residence under the Federal Skilled Worker Program entails navigating a comprehensive and intricate process. Broadly, the process for immigration to Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program encompasses five distinct steps:
Step 1 – Check Eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program: Before advancing further in the immigration process, it is imperative to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements of the FSW program. The FSW selection factor points, utilized by IRCC, assess various criteria, including a minimum of one year of continuous, full-time, paid foreign work experience, meeting language thresholds, and scoring at least 67 out of 100 total points under the FSW selection factor grid. Meeting these criteria renders you eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and allows entry into the Express Entry pool.
Step 2 – Create an Express Entry Profile: Upon creating the Express Entry Profile, you are assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score, distinct from the FSW selection factor points, ranks your profile against other eligible candidates. The CRS score considers factors such as age, post-secondary education, language skills in English or French, work experience in both foreign and Canadian contexts, marital status, adaptability factors, and provincial nomination. The Express Entry System permits a maximum of 1200 CRS points.
Step 3 – Wait for the Invitation to Apply (ITA): Candidates with a valid Express Entry profile are automatically included in a candidate pool and ranked based on their CRS score. Approximately twice a month, IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) to the highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Step 4 – Prepare and Submit an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR): Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply, the next step involves preparing and submitting an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). A 60-day window is provided to collect supporting documents, complete immigration application forms, and submit the eAPR.
Step 5 – Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence and Complete Landing in Canada: Upon approval of your application for Permanent Residence in Canada, the final step entails completing the landing process in the country. For citizens of countries requiring a visa to enter Canada, and who are outside the country, a PR Visa must be issued in the passport before traveling to Canada. Permanent Resident status in Canada is officially obtained only after completing the landing procedure.
To apply for Permanent Residence in Canada under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program, it is imperative to meet the minimum eligibility criteria:
- Attain a minimum of 67 points under the FSW Points Grid:
- Points are assigned based on age, education, work experience, language skills, job offer (if applicable), and adaptability skills.
- Accrue at least one year of continuous, paid, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience:
- This experience should be in a skilled occupation classified under NOC 0, A, or B within the last 10 years.
- Successfully clear an approved English or French language test:
- A minimum score of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 is required to meet language proficiency standards.
- Possess a Canadian educational credential or a foreign educational credential with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Demonstrate sufficient funds for settling in Canada:
- This requirement is waived if you have a job offer from a Canadian employer.
- Be admissible to Canada.
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) selection criteria: Top of Form
To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, a minimum score of 67 points must be achieved under the Federal Skilled Worker Points Grid. Points are allocated based on various selection factors, encompassing age, education, foreign and Canadian work experience, language abilities, and more. The comprehensive list of Federal Skilled Worker selection factors is outlined below:
Language Skills: Applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker program must possess proficiency in at least one of Canada’s official languages, either English or French. IRCC assesses language abilities through recognized language tests, including CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, IELTS: International English Language Testing System, TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français, or TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français.
A maximum of 28 points can be obtained for English or French language skills, depending on the language test scores. IRCC employs CLB (for English language) and NCLC (for French language) Benchmarks. To qualify, a minimum CLB 7 or NCLC 7 level must be attained for each of the four language abilities: writing, listening, reading, and speaking.
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First Official Language Proficiency:
CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
CLB level 9 or higher | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
CLB level 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
CLB level 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Below CLB level 7 | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply |
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Level of Education: Under the Federal Skilled Worker Point Grid, you can attain a maximum of 25 points based on your education.
Level of Education | Points (25 max) |
Doctoral (PhD) level | 25 points |
Master’s level or professional degree | 23 points |
Two or more post-secondary credentials, one of which is a three-year or longer post-secondary credential | 22 points |
Three-year or longer post-secondary credential | 21 points |
Two-year post-secondary credential | 19 points |
One-year post-secondary credential | 15 points |
Secondary school/high school diploma | 5 points |
Work Experience Assessment:
You can add up to 15 FSW points for your work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 skill level. To determine the skill level of your work experience, you must align your actual main job duties with the responsibilities associated with a corresponding position in the National Occupation Classification (NOC).Top of Form
Experience | Maximum 15 points |
1 year | 9 points |
2-3 years | 11 points |
4-5 years | 13 points |
6 or more years | 15 points |
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Age Factor:
Breakdown of points you can get depending on your age is as follows:
Age Range | FSW Points |
Below 18 | 0 points |
18-35 years | 12 points |
36 years | 11 points |
37 years | 10 points |
38 years | 9 points |
39 years | 8 points |
40 years | 7 points |
41 years | 6 points |
42 years | 5 points |
43 years | 4 points |
44 years | 3 points |
45 years | 2 points |
46 years | 1 point |
47 years and older | 0 points |
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Arranged Employment in Canada:
If you have secured a qualified job offer from a Canadian employer, you may be eligible to receive up to 10 points on the Federal Skilled Worker points grid. However, it’s important to note that:
- The job offer must be for continuous, paid, full-time work, involving a minimum of 30 hours per week.
- The job should not be seasonal and must be for a duration of at least 1 year.
- The offered position must fall under Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B within the National Occupation Classification (NOC 2016).
Additionally:
- You must be able to demonstrate your capability to perform the job offered by the Canadian employer.
- You should show that you can obtain any necessary licenses or certifications required for the job in Canada (if the position is regulated in the country).
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Additional details can be found on Arranged Employment page.
Adaptability:
Points for Adaptability are awarded on qualifications based on applicant’s ability to become economically adaptable in Canada as follows:
Adaptability | Points (10 max) |
Principal applicant’s previous work in Canada (minimum one (1) year of full-time work in Canada in an occupation classified as Skill Type 0, A, or B of the National Occupational Classification – NOC) | 10 points |
Principal applicant’s past studies in Canada (minimum two (2) academic years of full-time* study in an at least two year long study program at a secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Canada). | 5 points |
Accompanying spouse/common-law partner’s past studies in Canada (minimum two (2) academic years of full-time* study in an at least two year long study program at a secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Canada). | 5 points |
Accompanying spouse/common-law partner’s past work in Canada (minimum one (1) year of full-time work in Canada while on a valid work permit or with authorization to work) | 5 points |
Arranged employment in Canada | 5 points |
Principal applicant or spouse/common-law partner have a relative** in Canada. The relative must be living in Canada, 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. | 5 points |
Accompanying spouse/common-law partner’s language ability (English and French language proficiency at CLB 4 level or above in all four language abilities). CLB Level 4 is equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in Writing, 4.5 in Listening, 3.5 in Reading and 4.0 in Speaking). | 5 points |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a program introduced in 2008 that enables temporary foreign workers with professional, skilled, or managerial Canadian work experience to apply for permanent residence in Canada. This initiative aims to retain highly skilled workers, as their prior exposure to Canadian work environments enhances their likelihood of successful settlement in the country. Consequently, alongside the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Federal Skilled Trades (FST) programs, CEC has emerged as one of the most favored pathways to permanent residency for skilled foreign workers in Canada.
In January 2015, the Government of Canada implemented the new Express Entry system, an electronic application management system utilized by IRCC for processing Permanent Residence applications in Canada. Subsequently, all applications under the Canadian Experience Class are now managed through the Express Entry system.
Steps to apply for CEC program:
To pursue Permanent Residence in Canada through the Canadian Experience Class, applicants must navigate the following steps:
Step 1 – Fulfill the eligibility requirements for the Canadian Experience Class program.
Step 2 – Create an Express Entry Profile.
Upon profile creation, applicants receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS score, a distinct system employed by IRCC, evaluates various factors, including age, prior secondary education, language proficiency in English or French, foreign and Canadian work experience, marital status, adaptability factors, and the availability of a provincial nomination. The Express Entry System awards a maximum of 1200 CRS points.
Step 3 – Await to receive Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Candidates with a valid Express Entry profile are automatically placed in a candidate pool and ranked based on their CRS score. Approximately bi-monthly, IRCC issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) to the highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Step 4 – Compile and submit an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
Upon receiving an ITA, applicants must assemble and submit an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR) within a 60-day timeframe. This involves gathering supporting documents, completing immigration application forms, and submitting the eAPR.
Step 5 – Receive the Confirmation of Permanent Residence and finalize landing in Canada.
Upon approval of the Permanent Residence application, applicants need to acquire an immigrant visa and complete the landing process in Canada. Officially completing the landing procedure grants individuals the status of a Permanent Resident.
To apply for Permanent Residence in Canada under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program, you must adhere to the following minimum eligibility requirements as stipulated in s.87.1(2) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR):
- Canadian Skilled Work Experience:
- Possess a minimum of 1 year (1,560 hours) of full-time Canadian skilled work experience within the past 36 months. Part-time work experience is also considered.
- Work experience must fall under NOC 0, A, or B.
- Work experience cannot have been obtained while studying full-time in Canada. Additionally, self-employed or unauthorized work experience is not acceptable for CEC.
- Acquire work experience while holding temporary resident status in Canada.
- CEC Minimum Language Requirements:
- Attain a minimum CLB 7 for candidates claiming work experience in NOC 0 or A jobs.
- Achieve a minimum CLB 5 for work experience in NOC B jobs.
- Admissibility to Canada:
- Fulfill all requirements to be admissible to Canada.
- Residence Outside Quebec:
- Plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
- Educational Level:
- Unlike other economic immigration streams, the Canadian Experience Class does not mandate a demonstration of your level of education.
- However, having completed secondary education contributes to earning more CRS points and a higher ranking in the Express Entry pool compared to other candidates.
