Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Overview

Canada introduced the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in 1967 as a means to select immigrants from around the world. Prior to the FSWP, the selection process was subjective and based on the discretion of individual immigration officers. Recognizing the limitations of this approach, Canada implemented the world’s first points system, which evaluates candidates objectively based on factors such as age, education, language skills, work experience, occupation, and more.

Benefits of the FSWP

Today, the FSWP operates through the Express Entry application management system, with Canada aiming to welcome over 110,000 immigrants by 2024. The majority of successful Express Entry candidates choose the FSWP route. Research conducted by the Canadian government demonstrates that FSWP immigrants have successful and fulfilling careers in Canada.

Moreover, pursuing immigration through the FSWP offers the advantage of obtaining permanent residence within six months and a considerably faster processing time compared to other skilled worker programs in Canada.

Immigration Process with the FSWP

The Express Entry application management system is used for three skilled worker programs, including the FSWP. If you have not previously resided in Canada and are not a skilled trades professional, the FSWP is the optimal choice within the Express Entry system. The process involves determining your eligibility under the FSWP criteria, submitting an Express Entry profile, and receiving a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, language skills, and work experience. Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government conducts Express Entry draws, inviting candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. Once you submit your completed application, you can expect to obtain permanent residence status within six months and then relocate to Canada.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to pursue immigration to Canada through the FSWP:

Step 1: Determine if you meet the FSWP’s eligibility criteria. You can use CanadaVisa’s free eligibility tool to assess your eligibility.

Step 2: Submit your Express Entry profile on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Step 3: Check if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. IRCC holds Express Entry draws approximately every two weeks.

Step 4: Upon receiving an ITA, proceed to submit your completed permanent residence application to IRCC. After IRCC completes the processing of your application, you can make plans to move to Canada.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, potential candidates must meet the minimum requirements for work experience, language ability, and education, and obtain at least 67 points on the program’s 100-point grid.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

1. One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience within the past 10 years in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3.
2. Demonstrated language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
3. Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
4. Score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP grid, which assesses candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language ability, and adaptability.
5. Meet the settlement funds criteria, which may require candidates to demonstrate a certain amount of savings to support themselves financially upon arrival in Canada.

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can enter the Express Entry pool. Candidate profiles in the pool, which includes Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class candidates as well, are ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

If you are eligible for the FSWP, you may also qualify for category-based Express Entry draws. Meeting the eligibility criteria for these draws provides additional opportunities to be invited for Canadian permanent residence.