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Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the major economic immigration streams under the Express Entry system. The FSWP Canada is an ideal gateway for foreign skilled workers, professionals, and trained youth to secure permanent residence status. The Federal Skilled Worker Program Canada manages online applications from aspirants in a pool and awards each application points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scale. Also called Skilled Worker Visa Canada, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) benefits applicants with no connections, family members, or blood relatives in Canada.

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Key Highlights

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program is apt for foreign skilled workers
  • Applicants must have relevant work experience in NOC TEER Levels 0,1,2,3
  • Eligibility criteria should be met
  • 67 points on the FSWP eligibility point grid is a must score to be able to submit an online profile in the Express Entry pool
  • Education, language ability, sufficient funds, and relevant work experience for FSWP Canada should be understood properly
  • Benchmark CRS points through FSWP Canada leads to receipt of ITA
  • Canada skilled worker visa processing time is six months

Overview Of Canada Immigration Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

Canada is the most sought-after destination for immigrants. The country offers ample opportunities for immigrants to move in and work there. Canada federal skilled worker program is one of them. This program enables immigrants to apply for permanent residency. Applications under this program are processed through Canada express entry points calculator. The selection is based on a point system, in which, you need to score a minimum 67 points out of 100. Your occupation must fall under the “skilled occupation list” of Canada to become eligible to take up the test.

The skilled worker category is intended for people with a high level of skills and experience which can be economically recognized in Canada. Skilled workers can apply for permanent residency and should qualify based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria.

Successful applicants are granted a permanent residence visa and are entitled to live and work in Canada without any restrictions.

Benefits of FSWP

Canada PR Federal Skilled Worker visa allows you to work in Canada without the need to be sponsored by an employer, a Canadian work permit or a job offer

  • Successful applicants are free to work without any constraints/restrictions, unlike in a work permit
  • After three years of stay in the country, the applicant can apply for Canadian citizenship
  • Once you get your Canadian Passport & Citizenship, you can travel to many countries in the world without a visa
  • You can sponsor your immediate family & relatives to join you in Canada
  • Permanent residency include access to government subsidized education and healthcare (Medicare)
  • Unrestricted access to Canada's labor market and associated insurance and pension benefits
  • The PR visa is now granted in 6-12 months instead of the previous 3+years
  • If the application is returned, the fee is refunded by the High Commission

looking to immigrate to canada

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Canada Immigration Federal Skilled Worker?

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program Eligibility Criteria

Applicants with a minimum score of 67 on the point grid qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program Canada.

These points are allocated for the Canadian immigration federal skilled worker category according to certain factors of applications, which are mentioned below:

  • Age: 12 points
  • Education: 25 points
  • Relevant work experience in NOC skilled occupations: 15 points
  • Arranged employment letter: 10 points
  • Language ability: 28 points
  • Adaptability: 10 points

Overall, 67 points are the benchmark score in the FSW point grid to be able to submit online applications in the Express Entry pool.

It is important to note that the relevant work experience for applicants under the federal skilled worker category can be gained outside Canada. This factor makes FSWP Canada different from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream, which is also a part of the Express Entry system.

What is the Ideal Age to Apply for FSWP Canada?

The Office of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts Express Entry system draws. It does not mention a specific Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) age limit. However, applicants do not get good points for the age factor after 35 years and above. Furthermore, candidates aged 29 and up receive fewer CRS points for their age category. If applicants over 35 are applying for FSWP Canada, they must enhance other categories like education, work experience, and language ability to score good CRS points. The IRCC invites eligible applicants through Skilled Worker Visa Canada to reduce the gap in efficient and talented workforces in industries, businesses, organizations, the economic sector, and labor markets.

How do I Prepare for FSWP Canada?

Interested applicants must learn about the eligibility criteria and other aspects of FSWP Canada from a reliable immigration consultant. In the wake of incomplete or incorrect knowledge, applicants lose money, time, energy, resources, and motivation. Therefore, interested applicants should keep in mind the below-mentioned points before applying for Canada immigration as a Federal Skilled Worker:

  • Education: A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent in foreign education is required for FSWP Canada.
  • Relevant work experience: Applicants must have at least one year of relevant work experience in a regular, full-time, and skilled occupation in the last ten years. The appropriate professional work experience should match the criteria of professions mentioned under National Occupational Classification (NOC) levels A, B, or 0.
  • Language proficiency: To crack the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program, applicants should achieve at least Canadian Language Benchmark level 7 in an approved English or French test.
  • Sufficient funds: Applicants should have enough funds for sustenance. If the primary applicant is accompanied by their spouse, common-law partner, and dependent children, they must showcase sufficient funds for sustenance in Canada.
  • Willingness to stay in Canada: Applicants must be willing to work and stay in Canada, except in the Canadian province of Quebec, which has its own set of immigration laws.

With advanced preparation in these aspects, applicants will easily get the required 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP Canada eligibility points grid. This leads applicants to the next step of creating an online profile in the Express Entry pool and getting CRS points.

Is the FSWP Eligibility Point Grid Different from the CRS Score?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) point grid evaluates the minimum eligibility of applicants by awarding them points. Once eligible applicants submit their online profiles in the Express Entry pool, they will receive CRS points based on their personal and professional credentials. In short, online profiles in the Express Entry pool reward a CRS score for all applications, including CEC and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Still, the FSWP Canada point grid is specifically framed to verify the eligibility of applicants seeking Canada immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Steps to Apply for FSWP Canada

Interested applicants seeking immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Program must create an online profile in the Express Entry system. They should also update their profiles if there is any change in personal or professional information. It is important to note that submitting an online profile is not an assurance of Canadian immigration. All applicants' details are scanned and verified before granting them permanent residence status. In short, all documents submitted by applicants are scrutinized by immigration authorities. Hence, it is suggested that applicants submit a relevant and complete set of supporting documents to avoid delay or rejection of their applications.

The FSWP Canada should prepare a list of documents in advance to facilitate the hassle-free processing of applications. In some cases, transcriptions of documents are required if the original copies are in regional languages. These documents can be:

  • Academic certificates
  • Birth certificate
  • Identity proof

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

To get points for the education factor, applicants must submit an ECA report that evaluates the level or standard of their education by Canadian standards. Five authorized organizations in Canada issue the ECA reports. Applicants who have studied in Canada can skip the step of submitting an ECA report.

Language Ability Test Score

Applicants must submit scores from accepted tests for English, such as IELTS and CELPIP (only for applicants in Canada), under the language proficiency category. Accepted tests for French include the Test d’Evaluation de Francais (TEF) and the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada). A good score in an accepted language test helps Federal Skilled Worker Program applicants get good CRS points. It is important to note that the score of accepted language tests remains valid for a certain period of time. The language ability test score mentioned in the online profile in the Express Entry pool should be valid during processing.

Identity Proof

Applicants must have a valid passport. The same applies to accompanying family members of the primary applicant under FSWP Canada. 

All online profiles in the Express Entry pool receive CRS points. The highest scorers or applicants achieving benchmark CRS points get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from IRCC. Selected applicants must accept or decline the ITA within the next 60 days. To accept the invitation, applicants must submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR) and upload all supporting documents along with this application. Immigration authorities will further verify these documents.

Is a valid job offer required under FSWP Canada?

Generally, a valid job offer is not required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program in Canada. As a result, many applicants do not have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. On the other hand, having a valid job offer letter has its advantages. It helps applicants gain an extra 50 to 200 CRS points in addition to their current CRS score in the Express Entry pool. It is important to note that a valid job offer letter from a Canadian employer should be supported by a copy of a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). A copy of a positive LMIA and a valid job offer letter mentioning the name of the selected skilled foreign worker guarantees receipt of an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.

How do I show sufficient funds for FSWP Canada?

Showcasing enough funds is mandatory. The parents of the primary applicant cannot be included in an application for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, they can later accompany them after securing permanent residence status. The primary applicant can sponsor their parents during their stay in Canada.

The requirement of sufficient funds varies according to family size, as mentioned below:

Number of Family Members Sufficient Funds (in CAD)
1 $13,310
2 $16,570
3 $20,371
4 $24,733
5 $28,052
6 $31,638
7 $35,224

For each additional family member, CAD 3,586 is required. Suppose applicants do not have sufficient funds and instead have a valid job offer as a Federal Skilled Worker from a Canadian organization or business. In that case, they are qualified for a skilled worker visa to Canada.

What is Canada's Skilled Worker Visa Processing Time?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Express Entry profiles remain valid in the Express Entry online pool of applications for a maximum duration of 12 months. Applicants who receive ITA during this period must submit applications and a set of supporting documents to secure PR status in the next 60 days.

In short, Canada's skilled worker visa processing time is six months from when the immigration authorities receive the visa applications.

Some factors that may affect Canada's skilled worker visa processing time are listed below:

  • Incomplete and incorrect information
  • Submission of transcribed copies (if any) for the convenience of immigration authorities who are not familiar with regional languages
  • Incomplete information related to additional family members (if applicable)

Processing fees for FSWP Canada

The government processing fees must be deposited by applicants while submitting applications for permanent residence status under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. It is important to note that the processing fee is an additional fee and is separate from sufficient funds.

The processing fees for FSWP Canada are mentioned below:

Application Processing Fee (in CAD)
Principal applicant (processing fee and right of PR fee) $1365
Spouse or common-law partner $1365
Dependent child below 22 years $230 per child

Seek Guidance From Signature Visas to Successfully Secure Immigration Through the Federal Skilled Worker Program

One of the most notable and trustworthy immigration consultants in India, Signature Visas, facilitates holistic and apt guidance on the Federal Skilled Worker Program for immigration aspirants wishing to secure better work opportunities in Canada. The consultant also facilitates end-to-end services and counseling from professionals working in Canada to help candidates make informed decisions to carve out a bright career as skilled professionals in different industries. Call us at +91-9811648116.

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