FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER (F.S.W)
“The Federal Skilled Worker Program (also known as the Federal Skilled Worker Class) is Canada’s flagship immigration program for workers, allowing the country to welcome tens of thousands of newcomers every year based on their ability to become established in Canada’s workforce.”
Eligibility to Apply as a Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is tailored for skilled professionals with relevant work experience who seek to become permanent residents of Canada.
Minimum Requirements
To qualify, you need to meet the minimum criteria for:
- Skilled work experience
- Language proficiency
- Educational background
Meeting these basic requirements allows us to assess your application against additional selection factors.
Skilled Work Experience
Your work experience must align with specific job categories defined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC). You need to prove that while working in your primary occupation, you performed the duties outlined in your NOC, including essential and main duties.
Your skilled work experience must:
- Be in the same job type as your primary occupation for your immigration application.
- Have been obtained within the last 10 years, either in Canada or internationally.
- Be paid work (wages or commission); volunteer work and unpaid internships do not qualify.
- Consist of at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours (30 hours per week).
- You can fulfill this requirement by:
- Working full-time at one job (30 hours/week for 12 months = 1,560 hours).
- Working part-time (e.g., 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1,560 hours).
- Combining multiple part-time jobs to meet the required hours.
- Working full-time at more than one job (30 hours/week for 12 months = 1,560 hours).
For part-time work, any hours above 30 per week are not counted. Student work experience is valid if it was paid, continuous, and meets other program requirements.
Language Proficiency
You must: Take approved language tests in English or French covering:
• Writing
• Reading
• Listening
• Speaking
Achieve the minimum required scores in all four areas. Enter your test results in your Express Entry profile.
Language test results are valid for two years and must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.
Education
For Canadian education, you need a certificate, diploma, or degree from a:
- Secondary institution (high school)
- Post-secondary institution
- For foreign education, you require:
- A completed educational credential.
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) showing your education is equivalent to a Canadian credential from a secondary or post-secondary institution.
- Selection Factors
Your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program will be assessed based on:
- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Valid job offer
- English or French language skills
- Adaptability (how well you are likely to settle in Canada)
- You will be scored out of 100 points, with the pass mark being 67. These points differ from those used to rank profiles in the Express Entry pool.
Proof of Funds
You must demonstrate sufficient funds to support yourself and your family unless you:
- Are currently authorized to work in Canada.
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
- Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada.
Where You Can Live in Canada
Plan to live outside Quebec, as Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan to live in Quebec, see the Quebec-selected skilled workers program.
When filling out your profile, indicate your intended province or territory, but you are not required to settle there. Provincial Nominees must settle in the nominating province or territory.
Next Steps
- Prepare your documents
- Submit your profile
Why Nextgenvisa Stands Out
Navigating the Express Entry process can be complex, but Nextgenvisa offers a superior edge over other companies by providing personalized, tailored solutions. Whether through in-person consultations, phone conversations, or email interactions, we ensure that your unique needs are met every step of the way.
Our dedicated team of experts evaluates your profile meticulously to ensure you meet the minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. We guide you in preparing all necessary documents, such as language test results and educational credential assessments, ensuring nothing is overlooked.
When it comes to profile submission, our team assists in accurately completing and submitting your Express Entry profile. We also provide strategies to improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, increasing your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
If you receive an ITA, we offer comprehensive support to perfect your application for permanent residence, ensuring a smooth and efficient process. From the initial assessment to the final application, Nextgenvisa offers ongoing, tailored support, making your journey to becoming a permanent resident of Canada as seamless as possible.