Federal Skilled Worker Program

A Global Path to Canada's Skilled Workforce

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a key pathway for skilled professionals from around the world to immigrate to Canada. Managed by the Express Entry system, this program is designed for individuals who have acquired skilled foreign work experience , contributing their expertise to the Canadian economy.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a key pathway for skilled professionals from around the world to immigrate to Canada. Managed by the Express Entry system, this program is designed for individuals who have acquired skilled foreign work experience , contributing their expertise to the Canadian economy.

 

What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is one of the three federal economic immigration programs managed by Express Entry. It is specifically for foreign nationals with skilled work experience who have never worked in Canada and do not have an education from a Canadian institution. The program's core purpose is to select immigrants who can quickly establish themselves within Canadian society.

 

General Requirements

  • Skilled Work Experience: You must have at least one year of continuous, full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in a single occupation within the last 10 years.


  • Language Skills: You must take an approved language test and meet a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.


  • Education: You must have a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree. If you completed your education outside Canada, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify its Canadian equivalency.


  • Proof of Funds: You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada.

Arranged Employment in Canada

You can get points for a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. The offer must be for a permanent, full-time position in a skilled occupation.

Work Experience

 Points are allocated for the number of years you have worked full-time in a skilled occupation. The maximum points are awarded for five or more years of experience.

Education

Points are based on your highest level of completed education. More points are given for advanced degrees (e.g., a master's or Ph.D.) and for Canadian credentials.

Adaptability

Points are awarded for factors that show your ability to settle in Canada, such as your spouse's language skills or work experience, or your own previous study or work experience in Canada.

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Get the help you need to succeed.

Optimize Your CRS Score

We help you explore every option to increase your CRS score, giving you the best possible chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Choose the Best Strategy

We assess which immigration program, like the FSWP, is the best fit for your profile to ensure a successful application.

Avoid Costly Mistakes 

Our experts meticulously review your application to avoid inconsistencies, missing documents, and other costly mistakes.

Have a Backup Plan

If your CRS score is not high enough, we help you explore alternative pathways to permanent residence.

What is the National Occupational Classification (NOC)?

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the official system used by the Canadian government to classify jobs based on their duties and the type of work performed. Finding your correct NOC code is the first crucial step in the FSWP process. It determines whether your work experience is considered "skilled" and therefore eligible for Express Entry.


To find your NOC, you should not rely on your job title alone. Instead, use the official NOC website and search for your occupation. Read the "Main Duties" section of the job descriptions to find the one that best matches your responsibilities. This ensures you select the correct code, which is essential for the accuracy of your Express Entry profile.

Find your NOC

Use the official Government of Canada tool to access the complete list of occupations and find the code that matches your work experience.

Skilled tradesperson at work illustrating National Occupational Classification and CRS points calculation for Federal Skilled Worker Program

The FSWP 100-Point Grid

To officially enter the Express Entry pool, you must also score at least 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP's specific selection grid. This grid assesses your profile based on six key factors: age, education, work experience, language proficiency, adaptability, and arranged employment in Canada (a valid job offer).


Your score on this grid determines if you are eligible for Express Entry. Once in the pool, your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will then determine your ranking among other candidates.

How do I calculate my CRS points?

Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is how candidates are ranked within the Express Entry pool. It is separate from the FSWP 67-point grid. To calculate your score, you must accurately assess points from your human capital (age, education, and language skills) and other factors.

CEC vs. FSWP vs. FSTP: What's the Difference?

Factor
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Work ExperienceAt least 1 year of skilled work in Canada (in the last 3 years).
At least 1 year of continuous skilled work (in the last 10 years).
At least 2 years of full-time work in a skilled trade (in the last 5 years).
Work Location
Must be in Canada.
Can be anywhere outside of Canada.
Can be in or outside of Canada.
Language
CLB 7 for TEER 0/1; CLB 5 for TEER 2/3.
CLB 7 in all four abilities.
CLB 5 for speaking/listening; CLB 4 for reading/writing.
Education
No education required for eligibility.
Canadian secondary or post-secondary education, or an ECA is required.
No education required, but a credential can boost your CRS score.
Proof of Funds
Not required.
Required, unless you have a valid job offer and are currently working.
Required, unless you have a valid job offer.
Job Offer
Not required.
Not required, but a valid job offer can add significant points.
Required. The job offer must be for at least one year.

Provincial Nomination
& Express Entry

Provinces and territories can nominate candidates from the Express Entry pool through their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), giving applicants a major boost in their chances.

Canadian Rocky Mountains with flag highlighting Provincial Nominee boost for Federal Skilled Worker applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

The FSW 67-point grid only determines program eligibility, not competitiveness within Express Entry. Many applicants easily pass 67 points but still fall below CRS cut-offs. CRS weighs age, language, and Canadian experience heavily, so even strong candidates with high education and foreign work experience may rank lower. Passing 67 points simply means you can join the pool—stronger CRS improvements (language, PNP, job offer, spouse factors) are needed to receive an invitation.

Yes, as long as the part-time roles are under the same NOC and your hours total 1,560 hours over a continuous period of at least 12 months. If you had two part-time roles at once within the same NOC, IRCC can count the combined hours. However, switching employers or having gaps breaks continuity. Always ensure that duties—not job titles—match your selected NOC.

Cash wages are acceptable only if properly documented—written contracts, tax filings, pay receipts, bank deposits, or formal employer letters. IRCC must verify genuine paid employment. Unsupported cash work or informal jobs lacking documentation usually result in refusal due to insufficient proof.

Your CRS score and FSW eligibility will reflect the ECA result, not your home country’s credential title. If the ECA shows a lower equivalency, you’ll receive fewer points. You can request a review or submit a new ECA through another designated organization, but results must be accepted before receiving an ITA.

No. FSW requires paid skilled work experience. Unpaid internships, volunteer work, or student placements are not eligible—even if duties match a skilled NOC.

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