Since 1967, Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program has been the primary way to welcome talent globally. Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program evaluates the immigration of applicants objectively. Today, this program is among the three skilled worker programs managed by the Express Entry System of Canada. 

Today, we will discuss all about Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program. So, make sure you read this comprehensive guide till the end. 

Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program: An Overview 

Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program was launched in 1967 to select immigrants from all over the world. Before the program’s introduction, the nation chooses skilled worker immigrants subjectively depending upon the discretion of immigration officers who make the judgment call on whether the applicant could integrate into the Canadian job market or not. 

The government of Canada realized that this old approach was problematic. Therefore, it introduced the world’s first points system to select immigrants. As a result, the nation no longer has to choose immigrants subjectively, i.e., they will now be selected objectively depending on age, language skills, work experience, occupation, & other human capital factors. 

Benefits Of Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program 

Today, Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program is managed via Express Entry system. Under this system, Canada aims to welcome over 110,000 immigrants by 2024. Moreover, the most successful Express Entry applicants will immigrate to Canada via the program. 

Research conducted by the government shows that immigrants go on to have successful & fulfilling careers in Canada. 

Furthermore, pursuing immigration via FSWP will be beneficial since you can obtain PR within six months as compared to the longer processing times of other skilled worker programs. 

Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program: The Immigration Process 

Canada uses the Express Entry system for three skilled workers programs, including Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program. In case you have not lived in Canada before & are not an experienced professional, then this program will be your best Express Entry alternative. 

So, first, you need to see if you are eligible under the criteria or not. Then, you have to submit your Express Entry profile. Further, you will obtain a CRS score based on human capital factors like education, age, work experience, language abilities, etc. 

You must note that the government of Canada holds Express Entry draws every two weeks, inviting candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for PR.  Submitting your complete application, you can expect to get PR status within six months & then move to Canada. 

Step-By-Step Procedure of Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Step 1

Find out if you meet Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program’s eligibility criteria or not.

• Step 2

Submit your Express Entry profile on the official website of IRCC. 

• Step 3

See if you have received an ITA, i.e., Invitation To Apply or not for permanent residence. IRCC holds these Express Entry draws every two weeks. 

• Step 4

In case you obtain an ITA, go ahead & submit your permanent residence application to IRCC. Then, you can move to Canada after IRCC completes the processing of your application. 

Eligibility Criteria Of FSWP

In order to be eligible for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program, potential applicants must meet the minimum requirements concerning work, education, language ability, etc., & obtain 67 points (min.) under the program’s 10-point grid. 

The minimum eligibility requirements are: 

• One year of continuous full-time or paid work experience in the last ten years in a skilled profession classified under NOC TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Validated language capability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in French/ English across all abilities, i.e., reading, listening, speaking, & writing. 
• Get at least 67 points out of 100 grid points. The program’s grid points assess applicants based on human capital factors like age, education, arranged employment, language ability, work experience, adaptability, etc. 
• Canadian educational credential or foreign credential along with ECA, i.e., Educational Credential Assessment report. 
• Meet the settlement funds criteria, if needed. Applicants might need to demonstrate that they have a specific amount of savings to support themselves financially upon arriving in Canada. 

Once you are eligible, you can easily enter the Express Entry pool. Applicant profiles in this Express Entry pool include Federal Skilled Trades & Canadian Experience Class applicants who are ranked based on CRS. 

If you are eligible for the program, you might also qualify for Category-based Express Entry draws. Meeting the eligibility criteria for these draws offers you additional opportunities to be invited with Canadian PR.  

Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program Selection Factors 

The Federal Skilled Worker Program selection factors are listed below. You can follow up on this table & enable your chance to achieve Canadian permanent residence. 

FACTORS	POINTS
Education	Up to 25 points
Adaptability	Up to 10 points
Work Experience	Up to 15 points
Age	Up to 12 points
Arranged Employment	Up to 10 points
Language Skills	Up to 28 points

 

Conclusion 

FSWP stands as an integral pathway for skilled professionals to immigrate to Canada. The program significantly contributes to the nation’s economic growth by focusing on selecting candidates based on age, work experience, language abilities, education, etc. 

In addition, by welcoming professionals who possess a specific set of skills & qualifications in demand within the labor market. The program boosts the nation’s workforce while offering numerous opportunities to newcomers for personal & professional development. 

Thus, as Canada continues to prioritize immigration as a means of bolstering the economy & addressing demographic transitions, FSWP remains a cornerstone of Canada’s immigration strategy, fostering a win-win situation for both the country as well as immigrants/ newcomers.

FAQs

• Can an individual directly apply for PR under the FSWP? 

Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program is managed by an Express Entry system that issues ITA to Canadian PR via regular draws from its pool of applicants. Only those applicants who have issued an Invitation To Apply might further submit an application for permanent residence in Canada. 

• Is there any eligible occupation list? 

No, there isn’t any eligible occupation list. Candidates need to have at least one year of relevant work experience in the past ten years in a profession qualified under Canada’s NOC, i.e., National Occupation Classification as skill level A or B or skill type 0. 

• Does an FSWP applicant’s work experience have to be related to their education? 

Work experience doesn’t have to be related to an applicant’s education as long as they are performing or have performed the profession’s duties for which they are claiming points. 

• How many immigrants does Canada welcome under the FSWP every year?

Express Entry is the primary way IRCC welcomes new skilled professionals & FSWP is among three skilled worker programs under Express Entry. Canada aims to welcome over 110,000 newcomers/ immigrants through Express Entry by 2024. Most of these immigrants arrive under the FSWP & CEC program.  

• Can points be awarded if an applicant has a close relative in Canada? 

Yes, an applicant will be awarded points under the Adaptability factor if they or their accompanying spouse has a close relative who is a permanent inhabitant or a Canadian citizen. To qualify as a close relative, a Canadian citizen or permanent inhabitant must be a child, mother/ father, sister/ brother, aunt/uncle, niece/ nephew, or parent/ grandparent.