Canada's Federal Skilled Worker Program: Ultimate Guide

The federal skilled worker program is an initiative for skilled employees who possess foreign work experience and wish to immigrate to Canada. Canada’s federal skilled worker program is the flagship immigration plan via which the country welcomes thousands of skilled immigrants every year. 

However, the opportunities are based on the applicants’ abilities to find work in Canada. Candidates can submit their applications along with their partners/spouses and dependent children.

How Does the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program Function

Canada has set up three economic immigration streams to give foreign nationals a chance to qualify for permanent residency in Canada. This not only allows you to make Canada your new home but also opens up your options to study abroad. Out of these three immigration streams, one is the Federal Skilled Worker Program, or FSWP. 

To qualify for this program, you do not need any prior work experience in Canada or a job offer from a Canadian firm.

FSWP is an immigration stream under Canadian Express Entry for immigration. It enjoys benefits in the form of fast processing and online application options. 

While the program has advantages, you must meet its various requirements to ensure a successful application. 

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program – Minimum Requirements

To get selected, you need to score at least 67 out of 100 points. To earn these points, you will be judged based on your performance in the 5 factors mentioned below. 

• Language Requirements

This section can award a minimum of 16 points and a maximum of 28 points.

Appearing for a French/English reading, writing, listening, and speaking test is mandatory. This will be considered your proof of language and is valid for 2 years. For this, you must score at least a 7 in the Canadian Language Benchmark exam.

• Educational Requirements

This can award a maximum of 25 points. Applicants with doctoral degrees are awarded the highest number of points. If you do not have a degree from the Canadian education system, a third party will study your application to determine a Canadian equivalent.

• Work Experience Requirements

This section carries a minimum of 9 points and a maximum of 15 points. You must carry a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 6 years of experience in an appropriate industry.

• Age Criteria

This section carries a maximum of 12 points. If you are between the ages of 18 and 35, you could receive up to 12 points. One point is deducted for each year above 35, with no points awarded beyond the age of 47.

• Proof of Funds

You should have the funds to support yourself and your family (if any) in Canada. An exception may be made if you have a job offer from a Canadian employment firm. 

Points System and CRS Score for FSWP

If you have scored reasonably high with the eligibility requirements, you may be invited to immigrate to Canada. To determine your score, the Comprehensive Ranking System comes into play. 

What is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)?

Your human capital is what will get you points under CSR. You will be evaluated based on the 5 factors discussed above. Once these characteristics are calculated, you will receive your CSR score.

How Points are Calculated

You can score a maximum of 1,200 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. Here is a brief breakdown of how your points will be calculated: 

• French Proficiency 
• 25 points are awarded for adequate intermediate French proficiency. This is equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of 7. This does not include English proficiency tests.
• 50 points are awarded for adequate intermediate French proficiency and English proficiency results of CLB 5 or more.
• Sibling in Canada
• 15 points: Your sibling in the country should be 18 years old and hold citizenship or permanent residency in Canada.
• Candidate with spouse or common-law partner
• 40 points: Awarded for core human capital factors associated with your spouse or common-law partner.
• 100 points: Awarded for skill transferability factors.
• 460 points: Awarded for core human capital factors of the primary candidate.
• 600 points: Awarded for additional factors like Canadian education, sibling in Canada, or French/English proficiency. 
• Candidate without spouse or common-law partner 
• 100 points: Awarded for skill transferability factors
• 500 points: Awarded for core human capital factors
• 600 points: Awarded for additional factors like Canadian education, a sibling in Canada, or French/English proficiency. 

How to Improve Your CRS Score?

Your score is mainly dependent on personal factors that you have control over. These factors include language, age, employment experience, and language proficiency. Given below are a few factors that will work to your advantage:

• High French language proficiency.
• Nomination from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
• A sibling who resides in Canada.
• Securing a job offer in Canada.

Application Process for Federal Skilled Worker Program

Steps to Apply 

To apply for the program, simply follow the steps below:

1. Create an IRCC Account: Your account on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada website will be used to submit your application. 
2. Create an Express Entry Profile: Check your eligibility for the FSWP program before proceeding. 
3. Enter Express Entry Candidate Pool: After applying, your application will remain active for up to one year, during which you may receive an Invitation to Apply for PR. You will be ranked according to the CRS score calculated after entering the pool.
4. Watch for an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Usually, every 2 weeks, a CRS score cut-off list is drawn out. If your application makes the cut-off list, you will receive an ITA.
5. Submit PR Application: Within 60 days, must reject or submit your PR application. Here is where you must submit documents like living expenses, ECA, proof of funds, etc.
6. Get Permanent Residence Confirmation: Wait for either a confirmation or a requirement to submit additional documents. You might also be required to come in for a medical test. Once everything has been approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence. 

Required Documents 

When filling out your application for Canada’s federal skilled worker program, keep the following documents ready: 

• Travel documents
• Identity proof 
• ECA report
• Proof of English/French language proficiency 
• Work experience letter of recommendations 
• Education certificates
• Medical certificate 
• Police clearance
• Proof of funds 
• Proof of sibling in Canada (if any) 
• Job offer in Canada (if any)

Application Fees

When applying for Canada’s FSWP, you must pay a specified amount of government fees.

Type of Application	CAD/INR
Principal Candidate (processing fee plus permanent residence fee)	C$1,425 (₹87,187)
Spouse or Common-Law Partner (processing fee+ right of permanent residence fee)	C$1,425 (₹87,187)
Dependent Child (can be under 22, or 22 or older who is not financially dependent due to any medical condition)	C$260 (₹15,908)

Timelines

The Canadian Government holds Express Entry draws every 2 weeks. Through this, the candidates with the highest CSR score are invited to the pool.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and FSWP 

What is the PNP?

The Provincial Nominee Program offers qualified workers the chance to settle in Canada permanently. This promotes economic growth in the country and, in turn, allows workers to immigrate to Canada.

How PNP works with FSWP

Both systems have their pros and cons. On one hand, PNP restricts you to only apply in a specific province, whereas FSWP expands your options. Another point to consider is their processing time. PNP applications have a quicker processing time.

You should also consider your language proficiency. If you are proficient in English or French, your chances of selection under FSWP significantly increase. Finally, consider your adaptability. If you have work experience in any Canadian province in the past, a PNP application may be the best choice for you. 

Provincial Requirements

Except for Nunavut and Quebec, every province in Canada uses its unique version of the Provincial Nominee Program. While the application requirements of each province differ significantly, below is a list of provinces that you can consider applying to:

• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Prince Edward Island 
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon
• Quebec
• Ontario
• Northwest Territories
• New Brunswick
• British Columbia

Job Offer Requirements for FSWP

How a Job Offer can Benefit your Application

A job offer in Canada will positively impact your CSR score. This will increase your chances of getting PR. You can get a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 200 points if you have a job offer. These points are awarded based on the type of employment. The government classifies occupations in the National Occupation Classification (NOC). Jobs are categorized here based on the training, education, experience, and responsibilities (TEER) they require.

You will receive 200 points if your job offers fall under NOC codes beginning with 00. 50 points will be given for all other job offers under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, and 3.

Requirements for the Job Offer 

For your job offer to be considered under FSWP, it must fulfill the following conditions: 

• Should be for a minimum of one year 
• Should be full-time and non-seasonal 
• Backed by the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
• According to the NOC system, should fall under TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3

Validating the Job Offer

When you update your job offer on your Express Entry profile, make sure that it includes: 

• Start date
• Name and address of employer
• Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) number (optional)
• NOC code of the job
• Other details like roles and responsibilities, pay, conditions of employment, and hours of work.

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for FSWP

What is an ECA?

An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required when you have obtained a degree from outside Canada. It determines whether your certificate, degree, or diploma is equivalent to a Canadian one. It is mandatory to include your ECA reference number and report in the Express Entry profile.

Approved ECA Providers 

Here is a list of designated organizations and professional bodies that can help you obtain your ECA report:

• World Education Services 
• Medical Council of Canada
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada 
• Canadian Architectural Certification Board 
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada

How to obtain an ECA?

The IRCC will designate an organization to which you must submit all the required documents, like certificates and transcripts. Your ECA report will be issued shortly after.

Medical and Police Clearance for FSWP 

Medical Examination Process

The medical exam for Canadian immigration must be with an IRCC-approved panel physician. Applicants must incur the fees for the exam. The medical examination usually involves the following:

• Physical and mental examination
• Laboratory and diagnostic tests
• Past medical history review 
• Medical assessment of previous records
• Urinalysis 
• Chest x-ray 
• Syphilis scan
• HIV scan

Police Clearance Certificates

The board requires you to submit police-verified documentation declaring a clear record. All you have to do is contact either the police or the government for a certificate. This must be obtained from your own country. Here is what you will need to submit: 

• A fee.
• Basic information and documents like fingerprints, photographs, addresses, and dates of living in the country.

Settlement Funds for FSWP 

What are Settlement Funds? 

Settlement funds are for applicants who are applying under the FSWP program and do not have a job in Canada. These funds are required to prove that the candidate has enough funds to sustain themselves and their family after immigration.

How Much Money is Required? 

This is a variable amount, as it depends on the size of your family. Your spouse and children will be counted, irrespective of whether they accompany you or not.

Number of Family Members	Fund Requirement (CAD/INR)
1	C$14,690 (₹8,99,000)
2	C$18,288 (₹11,19,000)
3	C$22,483 (₹13,76,000)
4	C$27,297 (₹16,70,000)
5	C$30,690 (₹18,78,000)
6	C$34,917 (₹21,37,000)
7	C$38,875 (₹23,80,000)

For more than 7 family members, C$3,968 (₹2,42,000) will be required for each additional member.

Proof of Funds

The proof of funds that you submit must meet specific requirements. Here is what to keep in mind when submitting proof of funds: 

• You cannot borrow this money.
• All funds should be in the name of the candidate or a joint account with a spouse.
• Funds should be readily available from submission of application to visa issuance.
• Equity of fixed assets will not be considered.

Federal Skilled Worker Program – Factors for Selection

The federal skilled worker program has several factors for selection. Once a candidate meets the minimum criteria, the application is assessed based on the following: 

• Education
• Age
• Availability of a job offer
• Work experience 
• French and English language skills 
• Adaptability 

These factors are calculated in a range of 100 points to determine program eligibility. You will earn specific points for performance in each of these six factors. The pass marks are presently at 67 points. Your profile will be ranked once you are in the pool of Express Entry. The highest-ranked candidates will be chosen from this pool and invited to apply for permanent residency. 

Post Application Process for FSWP

What to Expect After Submission? 

Stay active on the portal to see if any additional documents are required. Moreover, you can also start the process of obtaining your police clearance certificate, as it may take longer than expected. You can confirm your application status at the email address you supplied while applying within the Federal Skilled Worker program. 

Processing Times

It may take up to 7 months for applications to be processed and confirmed. This timeline begins on the day you submit your application and ends when your permanent residency visa is issued.

Receiving your Visa

If you score at least 67 points under the CRS system, you will get a chance to immigrate to Canada. Once you get confirmation from the board and apply for your visa after submitting your biometrics, you are all set for immigration!

Common Challenges for FSWP Applicants and How to Overcome Them

Applying under the FSWP can be a long and daunting process. It is advisable to be meticulous and prepared for every step. Here are some aspects that you must keep in mind during the application process: 

1. Waiting too long to submit: Be on time to submit your application. There is a long list of aspiring individuals in the selection pool, and you don't want to miss out on any immigration opportunities. 
2. Health issues: Even if you have a minor health issue or one that may risk the safety of people in Canada, you might fail your medical exam. In this case, you are handed a notice. Fortunately, you may appeal this within 60 days. You can benefit from having a medical expert review your health to confirm whether your health issues will interfere with your ability to contribute to the workforce.
3. Misrepresentation: Be honest about all details in your application. If you exaggerate a small piece of information, your application may be refused immediately. You might also be barred from applying for several years.
4. Appropriate documentation: The authorities want straightforward information from employment recommendation letters, including salary information, average hours worked, job title, roles and responsibilities, and dates of employment. You must also ensure all documentation is complete and valid.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) provides a pathway for skilled immigrants to gain permanent residency in Canada. By meeting the minimum requirements, achieving a high score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and navigating the application process diligently, candidates can significantly improve their chances of success. 

Despite the challenges, such as securing documentation and meeting health requirements, thorough preparation and transparency are key. With its structured points system and support through Express Entry, the FSWP offers a valuable opportunity for skilled workers looking to start a new life in Canada.