Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is Canada’s flagship immigration program for skilled foreign workers. It is considered as an economic pathway that allows skilled workers to establish and settle in Canada as permanent residents. To apply for Canadian PR as a Federal Skilled Worker, the candidates are required to create an Express Entry by providing an Expression of Interest to move to Canada.

The Government of Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada assess the profile of the candidates under the Express Entry pool. Based on the profile, the CRS score is created under the Comprehensive Ranking System. The candidates with the highest rank in Express Entry pool receive ITA (Invitation to Apply) for Canadian PR.

Minimum requirements to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

The minimum eligibility criteria for Federal Skilled Worker program depends upon certain factors. The foreign nationals applying to the program must obtain a total of 67 points to receive an ITA from IRCC. The selection factors are listed below:

A. Education: Candidates obtain points as per the educational credentials they provide in their Express Entry profile. Foreign workers need to demonstrate their educational qualification which can be considered equivalent to a certificate, diploma, or degree from a recognized Canadian university, college, or institution. In this factor, skilled workers can obtain up to 25 points to score high in CRS.

Allocation of points under Education factor
Level of Education Points (25 max)
Doctoral (PhD) level 25 points
Master's level degree in one of the following academic disciplines: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Law, Chiropractic Medicine, or Pharmacy. 23 points
Two or more post-secondary credentials, (three-year or longer) 22 points
Three-year or longer post-secondary credential 21 points
Two-year post-secondary credential 19 points
One-year post-secondary credential 15 points
Secondary school/high school diploma 5 points

B. Language Proficiency This factor assesses the language ability of the candidate in one of the two official languages – English and French. Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Language Benchmark is CLB level 7. A maximum of 24 points can be obtained in the first language proficiency and additional four may be obtained in the second language proficiency.

The candidates are required to present the result of the following two language proficiency test:

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – for English
  • Test d'evaluation de francais (TEF) or Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada) – for French
Allocation of points under Language Proficiency factor
Proficiency IELTS score equivalence Points
First Official Language
CLB Level 9 or higher (Initial Advanced)

IELTS Listening 8 or above

IELTS Reading 7 or above

IELTS Speaking 7 or above

IELTS Writing 7 or above

6 points per ability
CLB Level 8 (Fluent Intermediate)

IELTS Listening 7.5

IELTS Reading 6.5

IELTS Speaking 6.5

IELTS Writing 6.5

5 points per ability
CLB Level 7 (Adequate Intermediate)

IELTS Listening 6

IELTS Reading 6

IELTS Speaking 6

IELTS Writing 6

4 points per ability
Below CLB Level Not eligible to apply Not eligible to apply
Maximum points for first official language 24 points
Second Official Language
CLB 5 and above 4 points for all language abilities
Maximum 4 points

C. Work Experience Under this factor, the candidates can obtain points according to the number of years of experience they possess. They need to have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in one of the occupations listed by the Canadian Government. They must have experience in an occupation having a 0, A, or B NOC code. A maximum of 15 points can be obtained.

Allocation of points under Language Proficiency factor
Work Experience Points (15 max)
1 year (at least one year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total) 9 points
2-3 years 11 points
4-5 years 13 points
6 years or more 15 points

D. Age: The age factor holds a maximum of 12 points under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Depending upon the age, the IRCC evaluates the profile of the applicant.

Allocation of points under Age factor
Age of Applicant Points (12 max)
18 to 35 12 points
36 11 points
37 10 points
38 9 points
39 8 points
40 7 points
41 6 points
42 5 points
43 4 points
44 3 points
45 2 points
46 1 points
47 and over 0 points

E. Arranged Employment: Under the arranged employment factor, the applicant can obtain a maximum of 10 points after meeting certain conditions.

Allocation of points under Arranged Employment factor
Arranged Employment Points
If And
You currently work in Canada on a temporary work permit.

Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued)

and

IRCC issued your work permit based on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Your employer would have applied for the LMIA, which you then had to attach to your application to IRCC

and

You are working for an employer named on your work permit who has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.

10
You currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement under an international agreement (such as, the North America Free Trade Agreement) or a federal-provincial agreement.

Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the visa is issued (or you are authorized to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued)

and

Your current employer has made a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker

and

You have been working for that employer for at least 1 continuous year, full-time or part-time equivalent.

10

You currently do not have a work permit, or do not plan to work in Canada before you get a permanent resident visa.

An employer has made you a permanent job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker

10

OR

You are currently working in Canada and a different employer has offered to give you a permanent full-time job

OR

You are currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment, but not under an international or federal-provincial agreement.

and

The employer has a positive Labour Impact Assessment from ESDC

Maximum 10

F. Adaptability: Under the Adaptability factor, the government assesses the profile of the candidate based on their ability to establish themselves in the country. A maximum of 10 points can be earned for full- time work in Canada and merits of the spouse or common legal partner. The candidates can enhance their qualifications to improve an applicant’s economic ability to settle in Canada:

Allocation of points under Adaptability factor
Adaptability Points (10 max)
Principal applicant's previous work in Canada (minimum one year of full-time work in Canada in an occupation classified as Skill Type 0, A, or B of the National Occupational Classification - NOC) 10 points
Principal applicant's past studies in Canada (minimum two academic years of full-time study in at least a two-year-long study program at a secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Canada). 5 points
Accompanying spouse/common-law partner's past studies in Canada (minimum two (2) academic years of full-time* study in an at least two-year-long study program at a secondary or post-secondary educational institution in Canada). 5 points
Accompanying spouse/common-law partner's past work in Canada (minimum one (1) year of full-time work in Canada while on a valid work permit or with authorization to work) 5 points
Arranged employment in Canada 5 points
Principal applicant or spouse/common-law partner have a relative (parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, a spouse's sibling/aunt or uncle, niece or nephew) in Canada. The relative must be living in Canada, 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. 5 points
Accompanying spouse/common-law partner's language ability (English and French language proficiency at CLB 4 level or above in all four language abilities). CLB Level 4 is equivalent to IELTS 4.0 in Writing, 4.5 in Listening, 3.5 in Reading and 4.0 in Speaking). 5 points

Settlement Funds

After receiving an ITA through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the candidates need to show proof of their economic ability to settle in Canada. They need to have sufficient funds to manage the expenses of their family members. The minimum settlement funds are updated every year by the government.

Medical Examinations and Admissibility

Right after receiving an ITA, the candidates are required to undergo a medical examination to demonstrate the medical state of the applicant. It includes a general physical exam, blood tests, urine tests, x-rays, and prior medical records.

Frequently ask
What are the major categories for skilled workers in Canada?

Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canada has opened up various opportunities for skilled and experienced workers under (NOC 0, A or B).

  • Skill type 0 includes the management jobs, managers in the food and beverage industry, and many among others.
  • Skill level A includes professional jobs mainly in IT, engineering, construction, legal sectors, and many among others.
  • Skill Level B includes technical jobs such as chefs, plumbers, office workers, salespersons, etc.
What is the minimum settlement funds requirement in Canada?

After receiving an ITA through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates need to show a minimum of $12,960 for single applicant expenses and $34,299 for the expenses of a family of 7 members. For each additional family member, $3,492 is added to the minimum settlement funds requirement.

What is the standard application processing time under the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

IRCC processes the application within 6 months or less.

What are the major medical conditions on which immigration can be denied?

Even after receiving ITA, the Canada PR can be canceled on the following conditions:

  • The danger of contagion;
  • A condition that could endanger the population of Canada; and
  • A condition that requires excessive demand on health services in the country.
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