Federal Skilled Worker Program Under Express Entry: Guide for Canada Immigrants
🛫 Canada Express Entry and The FSWP
Did you know that, on average, almost 50% of the invitation to apply under Express Entry comes from FSWP? Canada’s Express Entry has 3 programs – Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Each program provides a definite pathway per immigrants’ classifications. In this article, we will explore the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under the Express Entry pathway. Let’s dive in and explore the opportunities offered by the FSWP!
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👷♀️ What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a Canadian immigration program under Express Entry that is designed to attract foreign skilled workers who possess the qualifications and work experience needed to contribute to Canada’s economy. Successful applicants gain permanent residency in Canada, allowing them to live and work in the country. This program aims to fill labor market gaps and contribute to Canada’s economic growth and development.
📝 Who is Eligible to Join FSWP? 3 Minimum Requirements for Immigrants
To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), applicants must meet the following minimum requirements in terms of skilled work experience, language ability, and education.
Minimum Requirement #1: Skilled Work Experience
For your skilled work experience to be considered, it should fall under one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3. Your work experience must align with the duties described in the NOC for your primary occupation, including essential and main duties.
Additional requirements for skilled work experience include:
- Working in the same type of job (having the same NOC) as the one you wish to apply with
- Having at least one year of continuous, paid work experience (1,560 hours)
- Meeting the full-time requirement (30 hours per week) for 12 months or an equal amount in part-time work
Minimum Requirement #2: Language Ability
Applicants must take approved language tests in either English or French to assess their language proficiency in writing, reading, listening, and speaking. The minimum required score is Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities. These test results should be entered in the Express Entry profile and must be valid on the day of applying for permanent residence.
Minimum Requirement #3: Education
For applicants who studied in Canada, a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution is required. Those with foreign education must have a completed credential and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization. The ECA is necessary to demonstrate that their education is equivalent to a completed certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.
📋 Six Selection Factors for FSWP: How Points Are Calculated
If you meet the minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, knowing the 6 selection factors and how points are calculated are important. Your chances of getting an invitation to apply (ITA) are highly reliant on how high your CRS score is. In Express Entry, the government of Canada ranks candidates using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Canada has 2 official languages namely, English and French. The accepted language tests for English are the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS), while for French are Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) and Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada). To measure the level of proficiency, the government of Canada uses the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French.
In Canada Express Entry, you will be given points based on your ability to read, write, listen and speak English or French. If you can speak both languages, you have the opportunity to indicate English as your first language and French as your second, or vice versa.
First and Second Official Languages: Maximum of 24 Points (Additional of 4 Points for Second Official Language)
If you meet the minimum requirement or level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 as mentioned in the above section on who is eligible to join FSWP, below is a table to see how you can calculate your points. You can only get a maximum of 4 points in the second language if you have a score of at least CLB 5 in all of the 4 abilities (speaking, listening, reading, and writing).
There are 2 ways to have your educational credentials recognized for Express Entry’s Foreign Workers Program (FSWP).
1. Canadian Education Credentials
This means you are a graduate of any recognized Canadian institution. You are required to have a secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree.
2. Foreign Education Credentials
This means you are a graduate of an accredited institution outside of Canada. You must have an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization. Your ECA report will serve as proof that your foreign degree equals the standard value of education required in Canada.
How Many Points Can You Earn Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program Factor Points?
Great question! When it comes to education, FSWP has a different points system with that of the general Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). In FSWP factor points, there are a total of 151 possible results of your ECA report. Below is the top 20 entries, let’s look at how many points you can earn:
To earn points for your work experience in the Express Entry system, the following criteria apply:
Criteria #1: Full-time Paid Work
You can receive points for the number of years you have spent working full-time (at least 30 hours per week) or part-time (equal to 15 hours per week) in a skilled occupation. This occupation must be listed in the Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Criteria #2: Types of Work Experience
Your work experience can count if it was gained in Canada or abroad, during your studies, or while being self-employed.
How to Calculate Points Based on Years of Work Experience
To begin, you must first identify your NOC code for each job that you want to be included in your Express Entry profile. Identify if the job description mentioned in the NOC codes matches your work experience, refer to the following chart for calculation reference:
Although age is not a factor for one Canada aspirant to be ineligible for FSWP, it is a selection criteria that will increase your chances of getting invited to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program of Express Entry. Let’s look at how many points you can get according to your age!
Similar to age factor, having a valid job offer in Canada is not required but you can earn additional points when you have one. For job offer to be considered in FSWP Express Entry, the job offer must have:
- Your job offer must be coming from a single employer
- The duration of the job must be continuous
- There should be a compensation
- It must be a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week)
- It must not be seasonal
- Can be extended for a minimum of 1 year after receiving your permanent resident visa
- The job must fall within the NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3
NOTE: To obtain 10 points, the Government of Canada must be convinced that you are capable of performing the job offered to you or that you can obtain the necessary licensing or certification in Canada if the occupation requires Canadian regulation.
Both you and your spouse or common-law partner who will immigrate with you to Canada can earn points for adaptability. Together, you can accumulate a maximum of 10 points by considering the following elements. These elements evaluate your likelihood of successfully settling in Canada.
🍁 Conclusion: What's Next After Eligibility Assessment?
After completing the eligibility assessment for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), it’s time to take the next steps towards your Canadian immigration journey.Let’s take you through the remaining stages of the application process!
Now that you have determined your eligibility for the FSWP, you will need to gather all the necessary legal documents required for your application. This includes identification documents, educational certificates, language test results, work experience letters, and other supporting documents. Having these documents ready in advance will ensure a smooth and timely application process.
Once you have your documents in order, the next step is to create and submit your Express Entry (EE) profile. This profile serves as your official application to be considered for immigration under the FSWP. Make sure to provide accurate and up-to-date information regarding your personal details, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant factors.
If you prefer a hassle-free application process, you have the option to seek assistance from CanadaCIS. With our expertise and knowledge of the Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker Program, we can guide you through the entire application process, helping you compile the required documents, create your EE profile, and submit your application with confidence.
The opportunity to realize your Canadian immigration dreams through the FSWP is within reach. Take the necessary steps, follow the guidelines, and stay determined throughout the process. Soon, you could be on your way to a new and promising future in Canada.
How Expert Canada Immigration Consultants Can Ease the Process
- Documentation Assistance: Our consultants guide you through the collection and organization of the necessary documents for your application. This includes educational certificates, work experience letters, language test results, and other supporting materials.
- Application Preparation: We assist in preparing and completing your application forms accurately, ensuring that all required information is provided. This minimizes the risk of errors that could lead to delays or rejection.
- Submission of Application: Our immigration consultants submit your application to the relevant immigration authorities, ensuring that it meets the latest regulations and requirements. We handle the submission process, reducing the administrative burden on you.
