The Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian immigration have always had a direct connection. It is because Express Entry’s FSWP is one primary way for aspiring individuals to get success in moving to Canada.  

Besides this, the program is one of the main pathways of the Express Entry system and welcomes efficient, skilled workers to the country.  

The Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian immigration – an overview  

Canada brought forth the Federal Skilled Worker Program for skilled immigrants in 1967. Before introducing the FSWP, the country chose skilled newcomers subjectively. The selection primarily occurred on behalf of the immigration officers. Furthermore, they determined whether a candidate had the potential to integrate well into the Canadian labor market.  

Gradually, the government of Canada understood the existing issues with this system. Further, it introduced the first-time ever points-based system of Express Entry. Moreover, Canada dismissed the subjective parameters of selection and proceeded with objective criterion. 

The objective parameters included an individual’s age, language proficiency, occupation, work experience, education and other factors.  

The Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian immigration – what are the possible advantages? 

The Federal Skilled Worker Program falls under the management of Express Entry. This application management system intends to receive more than 1,10,000 new immigrants by 2024. Moreover, the FSWP facilitates the arrival of the most efficient and talented workers in Canada. Research by the Canadian government claims that FSWP applicants tend to live a fulfilled life in Canada with more successful careers.  

Additionally, pursuing immigration through the FSWP will prove advantageous because of the chance to attain Canadian permanent residence within six months.  

This is relatively more beneficial than the other pathways with lengthier processing times. 

The working process of the FSWP immigration process  

The Express Entry system manages the immigration applicants for three programs, and FSWP is one of the leading programs. It is explicitly convenient for those without any prior Canadian living experience or those who aren’t skilled professionals in a specific trade.  

However, candidates must ensure that they understand their eligibility for FSWP. They must be sure that they will be able to make their way through the program. Further, they must look forward to Express Entry profile submission. It is only after this step that they can expect to obtain a score via the Comprehensive Ranking System.  

Essentially, the CRS relies largely on a few core factors, including language proficiency, education, work experience, and age. Per the existing norms, the Canadian government holds Express Entry draws every two weeks. It then issues invitations to apply to those obtaining higher CRS scores to gain permanent residence in Canada.  

Once an individual submits their completed application, they will become capable of obtaining a permanent residency status in Canada. This might even lead them to move to Canada after getting their Canadian permanent residence status within a timeframe of six months.  

 

FSWP and its stepwise summary to pursue Canadian immigration  

Consider the following steps to proceed with Canadian immigration through the FSWP: 

• The foremost step must be to fulfill the eligibility parameters of FSWP. 
• The step ahead should be the submission of the Express Entry profile on the official website of IRCC.  
• Wait to see if you obtain an invitation to proceed with the permanent residence application.  
• Next, if you do get an invitation, then you must apply to IRCC with a complete PR application. Also, you can choose Canadian immigration once IRCC processes the application.  

Eligibility conditions  

Candidates must also make sure that they fulfill all relevant and vital criteria if they would like to gain eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The minimum criteria will involve crucial factors such as language abilities, work experience and work in the context of a 100-point grid. The minimum score must be 67.  

The least requirements include the following: 

1. The incessant paid work experience on a full-time basis for the past ten years. This work experience must be in a skilled profession under the TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification.  

1. Possessing language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark of score 7 in English or French across all language aspects including writing, reading, writing and speaking.  

1. Demonstrating Canadian educational credentials in the form of certificates, degrees, and diplomas and an ECA report.  

1. Obtaining a minimum of 67 points according to the FSWP grid. This grid eventually evaluates candidates based on several factors, including adaptability, prior employment, work experience, language proficiency, education and age. 

1. Meeting the settlement funds parameters. This implies that candidates will need to prove that they hold a certain amount of savings to be financially self-reliant upon coming to Canada.  

After gaining eligibility, candidates will be able to participate in the Express Entry pool, including the Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. While they’re there in the pool, they will obtain a CRS score.  

Once a candidate gains eligibility for the FSWP, they will also have access to the Express Entry category-based draws. Moreover, gaining eligibility for these category-based draws also offers candidates with more possibilities to receive an ITA for Permanent Residence.  

Selections Parameters  

The selection parameters for the Federal Skilled Worker Program are given below: 

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

 

Common questions – FAQs for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian immigration  

What are the essential eligibility factors for the FSWP Canadian immigration visa for PR? 

To gain eligibility for the FSWP Permanent Visa (for Canadian immigration), candidates must fulfill the following requirements: 

• Possess full-time incessant and paid work experience for a complete one year within the past ten years in a skilled profession. It must adhere to the skill types 0, A or B under the NOC.  
• Ensure language proficiency through valid and approved language test results. They must hold an equivalency of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in French and English in all language aspects. These are reading, writing, speaking and listening.  
• Hold a Canadian Educational Credential in the form of degrees, certificates, and diplomas, or ECA (supporting foreign credentials). 
• Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to show non-reliability on anyone else for finances.  

Moreover, the FSWP applicants must acquire at least 67 points out of the 100-score grid of the FSWP. These will depend upon the six major eligibility factors of the IRCC.  

Overall, all applicants and family members must demonstrate their clean records regarding their health, criminality and security under all categories of Canadian immigration.  

Is it possible for an individual to apply directly for Canadian PR under the FSWP? 

The FSWP is a part of the application management of the Express Entry system. This system is primarily responsible for issuing ITAs to candidates for Canadian PR applications. Only the candidates who receive an ITA will have the eligibility to apply for PR application.  

What about an eligible occupation list? 

Currently, there is no eligible list of occupations available. Applicants must hold at least a year’s work experience within the previous ten years. However, the work experience must adhere to the occupations falling under the National Occupational Classification. This must align with the skill levels O, A or B of the same.  

Which documents must one include in their FSWP application? 

Successfully obtaining an Express Entry ITA to submit a PR application will require an individual to submit the following documents under the FSWP: 

• Work experience document proof. 
• Suitable application forms- whether signed or completed. 
• Education proof regarding training or professional eligibility criteria. 
• Canadian government’s standard fees for processing applications.  
• Passports and travel documents. 
• Canada’s approved tests for languages- TEF, TEC, CELPIP, or IELTS. 
• Documents related to one’s identity and civil status. 
• Arranged employment, if necessary.  
• Police clearance certificates. 
• Settlement funds document proof. 
• Adaptability factor’s proof of points. 

All candidates with an ITA must also positively submit the e-application along with other supporting documents: 

• Valid results of the approved language tests. 
• Authentic and valid passport. 
• Work experience proof in the form of attested documents. 
• Police Clearance Certificates. 
• A tracking sheet showing the relevant medical information. 
• The principal applicants and their family members’ photographs.  

It is crucial to understand that several Canadian immigration Visa offices hold their separate requirements. Aspiring individuals must fulfill these to avoid application returns and delays.  

Who are the people to be included in the FSWP application? 

The FSWP enables to include the following family members in the application: 

• The spouse or common-law partner of the chief applicant; 
• The dependent children of the main applicant; the dependent children of the common-law partner or spouse accompanying them (below 22 years); 
• The principal applicant’s dependent children’s dependent children; and  
• The accompanying spouse or common-law partner’s dependent children’s dependent children.  

Will the FSWP applicant need to show their work experience in relation to their prior education to gain recognition? 

The applicant will not have to show that their work experience matches their former education. However, they must ensure that they have successfully finished off their duties mentioned within the work experience for which they must be claiming their points.  

Does a candidate require a Canadian job offer to become eligible as a Federal Skilled Worker? 

The candidate will not have to demonstrate any valid employment offer to become eligible for FSWP. However, having one will fetch you up to 15 points and also enhance your chances of improving eligibility.  

Also, having an authentic employment offer under a Canadian employer will also fetch you points between 50 and 200. However, these points will largely rely on your job position and the Comprehensive Ranking System.  

How to improve the FSWP Express Entry CRS score? 

It is possible to enhance your CRS score for FSWP Express Entry in the following ways: 

• Attain all the CRS points that make you eligible. 
• Make your spouse or partner the main applicant only if they have a higher CRS score than you. 
• Keep working harder for the language tests and even take them again to increase your scores. 
• Either save a Provincial Nomination or an eligible employment offer.  

Does a candidate receive points if they have a close relative residing in Canada? 

A candidate will obtain points in terms of the Adaptability Factor if they or their spouse or partner have a close family member or relative in Canada. These relatives must also either be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Those who qualify as close relatives include: 

• Child 
• Mother, father or siblings. 
• Uncle and aunt; niece and nephew 
• Grandparent or grandchild 

How many immigrants arrive in Canada under the FSWP annually? 

Canada usually intends to receive nearly 110,000 newcomers under the FSWP of the Express Entry system every year by 2024. This is due to FSWP being the primary program of the three programs of Express Entry. Most immigrants come here through CEC or FSWP.  

Conclusion 

The documentation process can prove to be extremely tedious, time-consuming and might cause delays if there’s any error on your part. Therefore, it is crucial to consult an immigration representative for expert solutions. CWRvisa is dedicated to helping individuals fulfill their immigration requirements. There are over a hundred immigration pathways and solutions for aspiring candidates. This is when our professional team of immigration experts plays their role. We believe in understanding the unique immigration needs of our clients and offering them appropriate solutions.  

From Family Sponsorship, Business Immigration to Economic Immigration, our team will assist you with your immigration goals. Additionally, those seeking to work and remain in Canada can also rely on us for tailored immigration solutions.  

Make use of our expert solutions and immigration services to get the most appropriate advice.