The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is for applicants who wish to settle permanently in Canada and gain work experience in a qualifying position under the TEER system. Under the FSW program, applicants are assigned points based on factors such as education, work experience, English/French language scores and several other factors. Applicants need to score at least 67 out of 100 to be eligible to apply under this category. 

Work experience

1. Do the same type of work as your primary TEER. 

2. You must demonstrate that you have performed duties that match the TEER of your position.

3. Within the past 10 years, must be paid work (voluntary work and unpaid internships do not count).

4. Work experience must be TEER 0 or TEER 1, 2 or 3 according to the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC).

5. Worked continuously for at least 1 year in the past 10 years (1,560 hours total or 30 hours per week in 1 year):

   a) One full-time job: 30 hours per week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours).

   b) Part-time equivalent: 15 hours per week for 24 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours).

   c) More than one full-time job: 30 hours per week for 12 months, more than one job = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours).

Education

If you attended school in Canada, whether secondary or post-secondary, you must hold a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian institution. If you were educated abroad, you must have: a Certificate of Completion, and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes from an accredited institution certifying that your education is equivalent to a Canadian certificate, diploma or degree: Secondary (High School) or colleges and universities.

Language Skills

You must have a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of at least 7 in each of the four language competencies i.e. Writing, Reading, Listening and Speaking after appearing in recognized language tests in English or French. Your Express Entry profile should contain test results. They must be valid when you submit your application for permanent residence. Your language test is valid for two years from the date of the test result.

Advantages of FSW

The Express Entry application management system is used to handle the FSWP. By 2024, Canada hopes to accept more than 110,000 immigrants through Express Entry. Most Express Entry applicants accepted in Canada are done through the FSWP. According to research by the Government of Canada, FSWP immigrants develop successful and satisfying careers in the country. Additionally, applying for immigration through the FSWP is advantageous as you can obtain permanent residency within six months compared to the longer processing times of other skilled worker programs in Canada.

Three of Canada's skilled worker programs, including the FSWP, use the Express Entry application management system. If you have never lived in Canada before and are not a skilled trade professional, the FSWP is your best Express Entry option. You must first check to see if you meet the requirements of the FSWP. Then, you send your Express Entry profile. A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will be assigned to you based on factors such as your age, education, language ability and work experience. The Canadian government holds regular "Express Entry" draws every two weeks, requiring those with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residency. You should be granted permanent resident status within six months of completing your application.

Steps for FSW

The steps you must take to apply to immigrate to Canada under the FSWP are outlined below:

1. Determine your eligibility for the FSWP in Step 1. 

2. Step 2 is to upload your Express Entry profile to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

3. Check your email mailbox in Step 3 for an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence (ITA). IRCC holds Fast Track draws every two weeks or so.

4. Step 4: After receiving the ITA, submit the completed application for permanent residence to IRCC. You can relocate to Canada after IRCC has finished processing your application.