Build Your Future with the Federal Skilled Worker Program

Written by

Shrishti Bajpai

Fact check by

Divyansh Chaudhari

Updated on

Dec 26,2024

Federal Skilled Worker Program

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Key Highlights

  • Understanding the Federal Skilled Worker Program

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligibility Criteria

  • Selection Factor for the FSWPs

  • Expression of Interest

  • FSWP Points Calculator Vs CRS Calculator

  • Invitation to Apply

  • Evaluation and Handling

  • Endless Residency Grant

  • Fees for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

  • FSWP Eligible Occupations

  • Key Takeaways

 

Latest Facts and News

  • The Federal Skilled Worker Program started in 1967 and shifted to the Express Entry System in 2015.

  • This program attracts a large number of applicants.

  • A total of 5,400 individuals applied for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

  • It offers a five-year multiple-entry visa.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program( FSWP) is one of Canada's flagship immigration programs, attracting professed workers worldwide to contribute to its different and growing frugality. This comprehensive companion will explore the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Skilled Worker Visa Canada, skilled worker Canada, FSW Canada, FSWP Canada, Canada federal skilled worker, skilled visa Canada in detail, breaking down its colourful factors, conditions, and Application process into fluently digestible points.

 

What is Federal Skilled Worker Program?

The FSW is one of the principal ways through which individuals, who have obtained professional qualifications, attain legal residency status in Canada. which started in 1967 as the first program in the world to provide unbiased assessment of immigration candidates. The FSW Program is instituted to encourage self-employed persons of desirable skills & qualifications as per Canadian standards, in the global market to bring their expertise into the Canadian economy & job market.

Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligibility Criteria

The minimum requirements for Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligibility Criteria are as follows: 

1. Work Experience

The requirements for the eligibility include at least one year of paid work experience in full-time capacity (or an equivalent amount in part-time) within the last 10 years. The work experience must be in a skilled occupation in one of the 10 groups of NOC-TEER: 0 Management occupations, Professional occupations, Technical and skilled trades, and Intermediate skilled occupation. This ensures that the applicants have acquired the right professional experience which will sustain the demand of the Canadian labor market.

2. Language Proficiency

So, candidates’ language ability in English or French, which are the official languages of Canada, must be indicated. A minimum proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 is required in all four language abilities: Reading Writing Listening Speaking An applicant must present a valid Language Test like the IELTS for English, TEF Canada for French, taken within the last two years.

3. Education

Candidates must have:

  • A Canadian education credentials (s) which could be a diploma, degree or certification(s) or

  • An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report of foreign education.

  • To this end, ECA confirm that education completed from the foreign country meets the Canadian standards.

  • Other acceptable ECA provider institutions are WES and all other institutions which may be recognized by IRCC.

4. Minimum Selection Point

  • Candidates must achieve a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the Federal Skilled Worker Program’s selection grid.

  • Points are awarded based on key factors such as:

    • Age

    • Education

    • Work Experience

    • Language Proficiency

    • Adaptability (e.g., connections to Canada)

    • Arranged Employment in Canada

  • This scoring system evaluates the candidate’s ability to successfully establish themselves in Canada.

Also Read Immigration To Canada After 45, Click Here To Know.

Achieving a score of 67 points or above out of the total 100-point grid qualifies you for eligibility to apply, with points allocated for each factor.

Factors

Points

Education

20 - 25 points

Language Skills

22 - 28 points

Work Experience

12 - 15 points

Age

10 - 12 points

Arranged Employment

Up to 10 points

Adaptability

Up to 10 points

 

How to Apply for Federal Skilled Worker Program?

To apply under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program, you need to follow these steps:

1. Check Eligibility

Whenever planning to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), the most important thing that an applicant needs first is to determine his/her eligibility to be part of the program. Another thing that you must do is to make sure that you only meet the minimum requirements as set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

2. Create an Express Entry Profile

The next step in Federal Skilled Trades Program is to make an express entry profile once you have established that you meet the requirements of the program. To do this, one has to create a profile on the website of the IRCC to show the interest in Canada’s FSW Program. In the process of completing the questionnaire, you will be asked to attach several documents to your personal profile. These will normally comprise of language test results from a recognized testing body if the education was done outside Canada, education credential or ECA report, and work experience. It’s important to remember that all details given at this stage fully correct and to the point because any of them will be used further in the application.

3. Recieve a CRS Score

After getting your Express Entry profile, you get a CRS score, which is used to rank applicants’ profiles for immigration to Canada. This score is obtained based on other attributes such as age, education, language proficiency and working experience. The CRS then uses a points-based system to evaluate your profile and rank you in the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score is important as it places you on a rank in a pool where the higher you are placed, the higher your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence. One has to understand that it is possible for your CRS score to keep on changing from time to time based on factors such as when one gets other certificates or gets other experience in between.

4. Wait for an Invitation to Apply

Having created the profile within the Express Entry pool, the proceeding step for Federal Skilled Worker Program is waiting for the Invitation to Apply (ITA). To implement this ITA distribution, IRCC holds invite-only Express Entry draws about once every two weeks. In these draws, candidates with the best CRS scores get an invitation to apply for permanent residence. While the number of invitations issued may differ from one draw to another, along with the minimum CRS score set, it can also differ depending on the immigration targets of the government for a particular year or the stock of candidates and their quality. However, the minimum requirements suggested by the FSW program does not guarantee an invitation since this program is a competitive one. Here are a few things a candidate can do while waiting to apply again for CRS: Accumulate more work experience, have a language test, or get a job offer from a Canadian employer.

5. Submit a Permanent Residence Application

If you receive an ITA, you are expected to complete the Application for Permanent Residence in electronic form in not more than 60 days. In this step, they need the applicant to fill out forms and provide supporting documents for the application to be processed. Some of these may comprise police certificates of countries you resided in earlier, medical reports, and bank statements showing your settlement funds. You will also be expected to pay the following application fees as may be specified. In order to win this tender, one has to be sure that all the necessary documents are submitted before the stated date and are correct and updated. The absence of any information or the wrong details can cause your application to be rejected or delayed.

6. Application Processing

As you will realize, the last stage of the whole process is the evaluation of your application by the IRCC. When all the necessary documents have been uploaded, IRCC will properly scrutinize parts of the application package. FSW application usually takes about six months to process but may take more time if the office receives many applications or if there are other extenuating circumstances. At this stage, IRCC may seek clarification from the applicant for any further information. They will review the application and determine whether or not you meet all the requirements and whether or not all information given is correct.

How Long Does FSW Canada to Process?

An FSW Express Entry profile is valid for as long as twelve months in the candidate pool. If you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) at this time, you will have sixty days to provide the government of Canada with a complete application and relevant documents. The general time required to process an Express Entry application is six months, from the time it is received by Canadian immigration authorities up to the time the applicants receive a permanent residency visa.

FSWP Points Calculator Vs CRS Calculator

The FSW Canada points determine eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program application, with a minimum score requirement of 67 out of 100. The CRS points, on the other hand, are used in the Express Entry pool to rank candidates for invitations to apply for permanent residency. The CRS points have a total of 1200, with 600 points allocated for factors similar to those in the FSW points system and an additional 600 points for provincial nomination.

Criteria

FSW Points

CRS Points

Age

12

Variable

Education

25

Max 150

Language Proficiency

24

Max 136

Work Experience

15

Max 80

Adaptability

10

Max 100

Arranged Employment in Canada

10

Max 200

Canadian Education

-

Max 30

Canadian Work Experience

-

Max 80

Spouse/Common-law Partner

-

Max 40

Skill Transferability

-

Max 100

Provincial Nomination

-

600

Also Read: New Immigration Rule of Canada in Francophone Migration 2024

Fees for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

Several fees are associated with the FSWP Canada, including Application processing fees, biometrics fees, medical examination fees, and other eclectic charges. Aspirants must budget for these costs when planning to apply for skilled workers in Canada through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The fees for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program, including their approximate Indian Rupee (INR) equivalents, are as follows:

1. Application Fees

  • Principal applicant: $950 CAD (INR 58,425 INR)

  • Accompanying spouse or common-law partner: $950 CAD (INR 58,425 INR)

  • Accompanying dependent child: $260 CAD (INR 15,990 INR)

2. Right of Permanent Residence Fee

  • Principal applicant: $575 CAD (INR 35,362.5 INR)

  • Accompanying spouse or common-law partner: $575 CAD (INR 35,362.5 INR)

3. Biometrics Fee

  • Per person: $85 CAD (INR 5,227.5 INR)

  • Family of two or more: $175 CAD (INR 10,762.5 INR)

Settlement Funds for FSW Canada

Number of Family Members

Funds Required (CAD)

Funds Required (INR)

1

CAD 13,757

INR 8,49,806

2

CAD 17,125

INR 10,57,856

3

CAD 21,000

INR 12,97,225

4

CAD 25,567

INR 15,79,341

5

CAD 28,985

INR 17,90,485

6

CAD 32,711

INR 20,20,953

7

CAD 36,396

INR 22,48,277

Additional Family Member

CAD 3,710

INR 2,29,176

 

FSWP Eligible Occupations

Here is the Skilled Worker Canada list for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in Canada, presented in bullet points:

  • Management occupations (including restaurant managers, construction managers, etc.)

  • Professional occupations in business and finance (such as accountants, financial analysts, etc.)

  • Information technology (IT) professionals (software engineers, systems analysts, etc.)

  • Healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc.)

  • Engineering professionals (civil engineers, mechanical engineers, etc.)

  • Teachers and professors in various disciplines

  • Scientists and researchers (biologists, chemists, physicists, etc.)

  • Skilled tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc.)

  • Creative and artistic professionals (writers, musicians, designers, etc.)

  • Sales and marketing professionals

  • Legal professionals (lawyers, paralegals, etc.)

  • Human resources professionals

  • Social workers and counsellors

  • Architects and urban planners

  • Natural resource and agriculture professionals

  • Language professionals (translators, interpreters, etc.)

  • Media and communication professionals (journalists, public relations specialists, etc.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and eligibility criteria may vary over time. It's essential to consult official sources or immigration authorities for the most up-to-date information.

 

Also Read  Some Common Mistakes to Avoid As a Newcomer to Canada

 

Conclusion

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is a beacon of opportunity for skilled workers worldwide seeking to immigrate to Canada. With TerraTern’s help, experts, and guidance, you can ace the comprehensive eligibility criteria, rigorous application process, and potential for long-term residency and citizenship, which will pave the way for a brighter future in the Great White North. In this guide, we have covered Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Skilled Worker Visa Canada, skilled worker Canada, FSW Canada, FSWP Canada, Canada federal skilled worker, skilled visa Canada for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the Federal Skilled Worker Program( FSWP)?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is an immigration program managed by the Government of Canada, designed to attract professed workers from around the world who have the qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency to contribute to Canada's frugality.

Who's eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program(FSWP)?

Eligibility criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program include language proficiency in English or French, educational qualifications original to Canadian norms, at least one time of nonstop full-time or original part-time work experience in a professed occupation within the once ten times, and meeting the minimum needed points under the Comprehensive Ranking System( CRS).

How do I apply for the FSWP?

Prospective aspirants for the Federal Skilled Worker Program must first submit an Expression of Interest( EOI) through the online Express Entry system, furnishing details about their qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, and other applicable information. However, they will admit an Assignation to Apply( ITA) for endless occupancy, after which they can submit a complete Application package through the Express Entry system If named.

What documents are needed for the FSWP Application?

Passport and travel documents, educational credentials and reiterations, language proficiency test results, proof of job experience, police concurrence instruments, medical examination findings, and proof of finances to support agreement in Canada are among the documents required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program Application.

What is the duration required to repurpose an FSWP Application?

The volume of skilled visa Canada applications, the degree of attestation, and the particular circumstances all affect how long it takes to process Federal Skilled Worker Program Applications. Processing durations typically vary from a few months to a year or longer.

Can I travel to Canada with family members with the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Indeed, candidates may include dependent children or consorts as well as other family members in their Federal Skilled Worker Program Application. Every family member needs to provide supporting attestation and fulfill the eligibility requirements.

Are there any restrictions on employment under the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Once granted endless occupancy, individuals are free to work in any occupation or assiduity in Canada. There are no specific restrictions on employment for Federal Skilled Worker Program donors.

What happens if my FSWP Application is refused?

Still, you have the right to appeal the decision, If your Federal Skilled Worker Program Application is refused. The prayer process involves submitting fresh attestation or furnishing reasons to challenge the turndown decision.

Can I apply for Canadian citizenship through the FSWP?

Yes, formerly granted endless occupancy through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, individuals can apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting certain occupancy conditions, similar to physically abiding in Canada for a specified period.