The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, part of Canada’s Express Entry system, allows candidates with foreign work experience and no connections to Canada to apply for permanent residency. It opens numerous opportunities for skilled professionals worldwide to contribute their expertise and build a future in Canada.
What is the FSW Program?
The FSW program is managed under the Express Entry system, using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates wishing to settle permanently in Canada. Unlike the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), FSW candidates don’t need Canadian work experience. Instead, they must meet a minimum points requirement based on work experience, language ability, and education. Applicants with the most competitive CRS scores receive invitations to apply for permanent residence.
Who is Eligible to Apply Under the FSW Program?
To qualify for the FSWP, candidates must meet specific requirements regarding work experience, education, age, and language proficiency:
– Work Experience:** At least 12 months of continuous, full-time skilled work experience within the past 10 years (or equivalent part-time experience). Skilled work is classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
– Language Proficiency:** Minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.
– Education:** Minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent foreign education.
- Financial Support:** Sufficient funds to support themselves and any accompanying spouse or children.
– Residence in Canada:** Must intend to live outside the province of Quebec.
Additionally, candidates must score at least 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid. They must also meet Canada’s basic admissibility requirements, as certain criminal offences and medical conditions can render a person inadmissible.
How to Apply Under the FSW Program
Interested candidates must submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Submitting a profile does not guarantee permanent residence; it assigns a CRS score to the candidate, who is then considered in future Express Entry draws for Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.
Documents Required for Express Entry Profile Submission
When submitting an Express Entry profile, FSW candidates need to provide the following documents:
Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
To claim education points, an FSW candidate must present a valid ECA report, which evaluates foreign education according to Canadian standards. Five organizations in Canada are authorized to issue ECA reports. This assessment is not necessary for education obtained from Canadian institutions.
Language Proficiency Test Results
All Express Entry candidates must provide results from an approved language test taken within the last two years. Accepted English tests include the IELTS and the CELPIP (available only in Canada). For French, the accepted tests are the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and the Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada).
Identification Documents
Candidates must provide information from identification documents. Ideally, both the candidate and all accompanying family members should have passports valid for travel.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) and Next Steps
If an FSW candidate receives an ITA for Canadian permanent residence, they move to the second stage of the application process. During this stage, the applicant has 60 days to prepare and submit an electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR), requiring additional documentation.
Since the Express Entry system’s inception in 2015, the lowest-ranking FSW candidate to receive an ITA had a CRS score of 413 points. Applicants with lower scores should actively seek ways to improve their CRS score.
Processing Time for FSW Applications
An FSW Express Entry profile remains valid in the candidate pool for 12 months. If you receive an ITA during this period, you have 60 days to submit a complete application and all required documentation to the Government of Canada. The standard processing time for Express Entry applications is six months from the receipt of the application to the issuance of a permanent residence visa.
Factors Affecting Processing Time
- Application Complexity/Completeness: More complex or incomplete applications take longer to process.
- Verification of Information: The ease with which the officer can verify the provided information impacts processing time.
- Additional Family Members: Adding family members to your application can extend processing times.
Settlement Funds for FSW
Federal Skilled Workers must show they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their families upon settling in Canada. The required funds depend on the number of family members in the application. Refer to the table below for the specific amounts needed per family size.
| Number of Family Members | Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $13,310 |
| 2 | $16,570 |
| 3 | $20,371 |
| 4 | $24,733 |
| 5 | $28,052 |
| 6 | $31,638 |
| 7 | $35,224 |
| Each additional family member | $3,586 |
These amounts ensure that immigrants have the financial stability needed during their initial period in Canada.
