Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program details

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs within the Express Entry System that an aspiring immigrant can apply under for permanent residence in Canada.

Candidates wishing to apply under the FSWP for immigration to Canada must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by creating their online Express Entry profile.

The selection factors for the FSWP are like those for Express Entry and includes the following criteria:

• Age
• Education
• Work experience
• Language ability- this includes English and/or French language skills
• Adaptability
• Having a valid job offer

Eligibility factors for Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program

To be eligible for the FSWP, candidates must score at least 67 points in all the above criteria.

Apart from this, candidates must fulfill the following conditions to qualify for the FSWP:

• Have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation
• Qualify for Arranged Employment with a Labor Market Impact Assessment and a full-time, permanent job offer from a Canadian employer
• Have completed a PhD in Canada, or have completed two years of study in Canada towards a PhD in a recognized institution
• A foreign educational credential, and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) by an agency approved by CIC to show it is equal to a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential.
• Pass the minimum requirement of language ability for one of Canada’s two official languages (English/French)

Apart from this all applicants must meet the health and security requirements as indicated by the IRCC.

If a Canada immigration candidate meets the eligibility criteria and secures the required 67 points, they will be entered into the Express Entry pool.

Requirements for Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Completed form
• Valid passport
• Receipt to prove the payment of processing fees
• Proof of identity and civil status
• Proof of educational and professional qualifications
• Proof of work experience
• Certificate proving language proficiency
• Canadian ECA
• Police clearance certificate
• Proof of having the required funds to support themselves and family members after coming to Canada

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program Processing time & fee

Express Entry has a standard processing time of within six months.

The table below outlines the processing fees for the Federal Skilled Worker program:

Application	CAD
Fees for principal applicant ($550 processing fee + $490 right of permanent residence fee)	$1,040
Fees for spouse or common-law partner ($550 processing fee + $490 right of permanent residence fee)	$1,040
A dependent child of the principal applicant who is under 22	$150 per child

In addition to the processing fee, the applicant may have to pay additional fees for:

• Medical examination.
• A police clearance certificate, if it is required as part of the crime and security check and.
• Language testing, as required