The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is under the Express Entry overseen by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. If you plan to immigrate to Canada through the FSWP, one of the prerequisites is to secure an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes.

What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) was introduced in 1967 and is one of the three primary federal immigration programs within the Express Entry framework. It employs the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate candidates aspiring to establish permanent residency in Canada.

Eligibility criteria for FSWP

Meet the following minimum requirements to be eligible for FSWP:

• You are required to have work experience in designated job categories as outlined by the National Occupational Classification.
  
• You must undertake approved language assessments in either English or French and achieve the necessary scores.
  
• You should possess a certain level of educational attainment.
  
• You must have an adequate amount of funds to support yourself and your family.
  
• You must intend to reside outside the province of Quebec.

Federal Skilled Worker Program Selection Factors

Applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker Program are evaluated against the FSW Eligibility Point Grid System. The minimum score required to be eligible for application is 67 points out of a total of 100. Below is a detailed breakdown of the FSW points calculator across six selection factors:

Education

You can earn up to 25 points based on your highest educational qualification. For instance, a master’s or doctoral degree will yield a higher score compared to a bachelor’s degree.

Language Skills

You can achieve up to 28 points for your language proficiency, which is determined by your results in the IELTS, CELPIP (English), or TEF (French) language examinations.

Work Experience

You can obtain up to 15 points depending on the number of years of full-time paid work experience in a skilled occupation. A greater number of years of experience will lead to a higher score.

Age

You can gain up to 12 points based on your age at the time of application. Points diminish as you age.

Arranged Employment (Valid Job Offer)

You may receive up to 10 points if you possess a valid job offer in Canada.

Adaptability

You can score up to 10 points based on various factors, such as having a close family member residing in Canada, having studied or worked in Canada, or having a spouse with language proficiency.

How can I apply under the FSW program?

You must submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). After submitting an Express Entry profile, your profile will be assessed, and you will obtain the CRS score. If it's the highest among other candidates, you get the Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

You need to provide the following documents:

• Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
  
• Language Proficiency Test Results
  
• Identification Documents

Procedure for Applying to the FSWP

1. Eligibility Determination for FSWP
   
2. To apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Express Entry Program, check your eligibility criteria.
   
3. 
   
4. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
   
5. You may earn FSW points for your education if you have undergone an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) through one of the designated organizations.
   
6. 
   
7. Language Proficiency Examination (IELTS or Equivalent)
   
8. To gain FSW points based on your language proficiency, you are required to take tests such as IELTS, CELPIP, or equivalent assessments in the French language.
   
9. 
   
10. Creation of Express Entry Profile
    
11. Upon completion of your ECA and language tests, you will accumulate sufficient FSW points to establish an Express Entry profile for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
    
12. 
    
13. Receiving an ITA
    
14. Only those candidates who exceed the cut-off score in the most recent FSW Draw will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Once you successfully obtain an ITA, you will have 60 days to prepare and submit your electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR).
    
15. 
    
16. Medical Examination and Police Clearance (PCC)
    
17. Subsequently, Federal Skilled Workers are required to pass a medical examination and police clearance stage to progress to the next phase of the process.
    
18. 
    
19. Application Processing Stage
    
20. During this stage, the IRCC will process your application. A visa officer will inform you if additional documentation is needed for your application to the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
    
21. 
    
22. Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)
    
23. The IRCC will make the final determination regarding your FSW application, and you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR).
    

1. Relocation to Canada
   
2. Following this, you will be able to relocate to Canada as a skilled worker.

FSWP Processing Duration

The typical processing duration for Express Entry applications is six months, starting from the moment Canadian authorities receive the application until the issuance of a permanent residence visa.

Settlement funds for FSW

Processing fees to apply under the FSW program

The processing fees to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program are as follows:

List of Federal Skilled Worker program eligible occupations

Calculate CRS Points

In order to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, it is necessary to achieve a score of 67 points based on the eligibility criteria. The minimum points permitted for each factor are outlined below:

Calculate FSW points for part-time work experience

Part-time work experience for Federal Skilled Workers can be assessed in one of two methods:

• By aggregating the total number of hours worked weekly across two or more part-time skilled positions (e.g., 15 hrs/week in job A + 15 hrs/week in job B = 30 hrs/week)
  
• By summing the total hours worked in a single part-time position over a duration of two or more years (e.g., 15 hrs/week for two years = equivalent to 1 year of full-time work)

Summary

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is the popular pathway for migration. It provides numerous advantages that render it a compelling choice for individuals aiming for a fresh beginning in Canada. For those interested in gaining insights into employment prospects in Canada, it is essential to investigate the various work permits available for different categories of workers.

In contrast to other programs, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the FSWP does not necessitate prior Canadian work experience. Rather, it emphasizes a points-based system to identify the highest-ranking candidates.