Express Entry is an online application system managed by the immigration department of the Government of Canada i.e. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Through certain Economic Immigration programs of Express Entry, IRCC selects and communicates with qualified and skilled workers and helps in fulfilling the labor market requirements of Canada.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the economic immigration programs managed under Express Entry. This economic immigration program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently and support the economy by utilizing their skills.
Other Economic Immigration Programs Managed by Express Entry
In this program, it is mandatory for the Foreign Skilled Workers to meet the eligibility criteria on the basis of factors including:
- Age
- Education (as per Canadian Education Standards)
- Language Proficiency
- Work Experience (Under TEER “0”, “1”, “2” or “3”)
- Valid job offer from a Canadian Employer
- Adaptability
These 6 factors are part of a 100-point grid, which is used to check the eligibility of the candidate for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Out of 100 points, it is mandatory for the applicant to score a minimum of 67 points, in order to submit an application for a Canadian Permanent Residence Visa.
Once the Skilled Worker meets the eligibility criteria of the Federal Skilled Worker Program and submits an Express Entry profile, IRCC uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score to rank the profile among other skilled workers.
And, more CRS Score will give a high rank to the profile in the Express Entry Pool, which increases the chances of receiving an invitation from IRCC to apply for a Canadian Permanent Residence Visa.
Benefits of the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
- Permanent Residency: The permanent resident status that FSW applicants obtain enables them to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
- Pathway to Citizenship: Permanent residents who meet the residency requirements are eligible to seek for citizenship in Canada, which comes with extra privileges like voting and passport acquisition.
- Spouse and Children: The FSW program grants candidates permanent resident status by allowing them to add their dependent children and spouse or common-law partner in their application.
- Access to Benefits: Family members included in the application also gain access to Canada's healthcare system, education, and other social benefits.
- Settlement Support: Canada provides extensive settlement services to newcomers, including language training, job search assistance, and integration programs to help them adjust to their new life.
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) (link) : Successful FSW applicants can benefit from additional provincial support if they choose to settle in a province that offers PNPs, which provide further integration assistance and local employment opportunities.
- Legal Rights: Permanent residents enjoy many of the same rights as Canadian citizens, including protection under Canadian law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Employment Rights: They have the right to work in any job, in any province or territory, without the need for a work permit.
Minimum Requirements
Work Experience
For Foreign Skilled Workers, it is mandatory to have at least a minimum of 1 year of continuous, paid, and full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience under a single occupation in the past 10 years from the date of submission of the application. Additionally, it is mandatory to have work experience in one (1) of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups:
- Management occupations (TEER 0)
- Occupations that usually require a university degree (TEER 1)
- Occupations that usually require (TEER 2):
- A college diploma
- Apprenticeship training of 2 or more years, or
- Supervisory occupations
- Occupations that usually require (TEER 3)
- A college diploma
- Apprenticeship training of 2 or more years, or
- Supervisory occupations
Language Proficiency Requirements
Foreign Skilled Workers need to take a language proficiency test for English or French and get a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all 4 modules i.e. writing, reading, listening, and speaking.
Education Requirement
If earned within Canada
- For Skilled Workers who attended qualification from a school/college within Canada, a diploma/degree from a secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution is required.
If earned outside of Canada
- If the Skilled Workers attended qualification from a school/college outside of Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report from one of the ECA Designated Authorities, for the purpose of immigration, is required.
- ECA Report showing earned education is equal to a diploma/degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution.
Differences between CEC, FSWP, and FSTP:
| Criteria | Canadian Experience Class | Federal Skilled Worker Program | Federal Skilled Trades Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language skills |
English or French skills
|
English or French skills
|
English or French skills
|
| Type/Level of work experience |
Canadian work experience in:
|
Work experience in an occupation listed in:
|
Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of:
|
| Amount of work experience | One year in Canada in the last 3 years (combination of full-time or part-time work) | One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation) | Two years within last 5 years (combination of full-time or part-time work) |
| Job offer | Not required | Not required | Required |
| Education | Not required. | Secondary education required. | Not required. |
