Federal Skilled Worker

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is for those who are selected to immigrate to Canada because of their work experience and skills.
To be eligible to apply, you must:

  • Have a job offer; or
  • Be eligible to work in Canada; or
  • Be able to prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents after you arrive in Canada.

Have at least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience; Meet minimum language levels in English or French; Have a post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree; Plan to live outside the province of Quebec.


What kind of work experience do I need?

Applicant's work experience must be Skill Type 0, Skill Level A or Skill Level B on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Applicant's work experience must be paid, full-time or the equivalent hours part-time. Full-time means at least 30 hours per week and must have had that work experience during the last 10 years.

Please Note: - These limits do not apply if you have a permanent job offer.

The FSW Point System

You need at least 67 points to be eligible to apply as an FSW. You get different points based on:
  • Your education;
  • Your abilities in English and/or French (Canada's 2 official languages);
  • Your work experience;
  • Your age;
  • If you have arranged employment in Canada; and
  • Your adaptability.
Please note: - that the FSW point system is different from Express Entry points.


Selection Factors

The Federal Skilled Worker selection factors are listed below. Click on each factor to learn more:

Factors Points
Education Up to 25 points
Language Skills Up to 28 points
Work Experience Up to 15 points
Age Up to 12 points
Arranged Employment Up to 10 points
Adaptability Up to 10 points


Calculate your points

1. Education (maximum 25 points)

If the applicant went to school in Canada, the applicant must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:
  • Secondary institution (high school) or
  • post-secondary institution
If the applicant has a foreign education, the applicant must have:
an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes from a designated organization showing that his/her education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:
  • secondary institution (high school) or
  • post-secondary institution
The applicant must include your Canadian credential or his/her foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment report when they apply.


2. Language skills (maximum 28 points)

It’s very important to be able to communicate in 1 or both of Canada’s official languages. Knowing English, French or both helps you in the Canadian job market.
The applicant can get up to 28 points for your language skills in English and French. We’ll give you points based on your ability to:

  • write
  • read
  • listen
  • speak

Language testing
The applicant must take an approved language test to prove his/her language levels.
To measure your English or French levels, we use:

  • Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English
  • Niveaux de compétence Linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French

The applicant must get a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 for 1 official language in all 4 language areas. To get points for the second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all 4 language areas.

Once the applicant takes the language test, he/she can use it to see exactly how many points they get for the language selection factor.
Calculate your language points
First official language (maximum 24 points)
Check the table below and add the points that match your skill level:

Points
First official language Speaking Listening Reading Writing
CLB level 9 or higher 6 6 6 6
CLB level 8 5 5 5 5
CLB level 7 4 4 4 4
Below CLB level 7 Not eligible to apply Not eligible to apply Not eligible to apply Not eligible to apply
Second official language (maximum 4 points)
The applicant can get 4 points only if he/she has a score of at least CLB 5 in each of the 4 language abilities.
Second official language Points
At least CLB 5 in all of the 4 abilities 4
CLB 4 or less in any of the 4 abilities 0


3. Work experience (maximum 15 points)

The applicant can get points for the number of years they’ve spent doing full-time paid work (at least 30 hours per week, or an equal amount of part-time [15 hours per week for 24 months]) at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2016 National Occupational Classification.
To get selection factor points, the applicants work experience will count if it was:

  • in Canada or abroad
  • while he/she were studying
  • while being self-employed


4. Age (maximum 12 points)

You’ll get points based on your age on the day we get your application.

Age Points
Under 18 0
18-35 12
36 11
37 10
38 9
39 8
40 7
41 6
42 5
43 4
44 3
45 2
46 1
47 and older 0


5. Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)

The applicants can get points if they have a job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer. Applicants must get the job offer before they apply to come to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker.
A valid job offer has to be:

  • for continuous, paid, full-time work (minimum of 30 hours/week) that is:
    • not seasonal
    • for at least 1 year
  • in an occupation listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC.
We must be convinced that:
  • you’re able to do the job offered to you
  • you’ll be able to become licensed or certified when in Canada (if the occupation is regulated in Canada)
To get 10 points for a valid job offer, 1 of these situations must also apply.

Situation 1

The applicant is currently working in Canada on a work permit and the applicant must meet all of the following conditions:
  • Applicant's work permit is valid both when they apply and when the permanent resident visa is issued (or the applicant is allowed to work in Canada without a work permit when his/her visa is issued).
  • The applicant's work permit is issued on a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada in an occupation listed under skill type 0 or skill level A or B of the NOC.
  • The applicant is working for an employer named on hi/her work permit.
  • That employer has made a valid job offer based on the applicant being accepted as a skilled worker.

Situation 2

The applicant currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement because of 1 of the following:
  • an international agreement (such as the North American Free Trade Agreement) or
  • a significant benefit to Canadian interests or
  • a federal-provincial agreement
The applicant must also meet all of the following conditions:
  • The applicant's work permit is valid both when he/she applies and when the permanent resident visa is issued (or the applicant can work in Canada without a permit when your permanent resident visa is issued).
  • The applicant’s current employer has made a valid job offer based on he/she is being accepted as a skilled worker.
  • The applicant is currently working for the employer specified on your work permit.
  • The applicant has been working for that employer for at least 1 year, continuous full-time or part-time equivalent.

Situation 3

The applicant must meet all of the following conditions:
  • The applicant currently doesn’t have a work permit or doesn’t plan to work in Canada before he/she gets a permanent resident visa.
  • An employer has an LMIA.
  • That employer has made the applicant a valid job offer based on that LMIA and on you being accepted as a skilled worker.

Situation 4

The applicant must meet all of the following conditions:
  • The applicant has a valid work permit or is allowed to work in Canada without a work permit.
  • The applicant is currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from an LMIA, but it is not under an international, federal-provincial agreement or because of significant benefit to Canadian interests.
  • An employer other than the one the applicant is currently working for:
    1- has an LMIA 2- has made the applicant a valid job offer based on that LMIA and on he/she is being accepted as a skilled worker.
LMIAs and valid job offers
  • The applicant can’t get an LMIA (the applicant’s employer must do this for you).
  • Employment and Social Development Canada will only confirm valid job offers for occupations listed in skill type 0, or skill level A or B, of the NOC.


6. Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

The applicant and his/her spouse or common-law partner who will immigrate to Canada can earn points for adaptability.

The applicant and his/her spouse can earn a maximum of 10 points by combining any of the elements below. These elements assess how well the applicant and his/her spouse are likely to settle in Canada.

Adaptability Points (10 max)
The applicant's previous work in Canada (minimum one (1) 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
The applicant'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
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
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
The applicant or spouse/common-law partner has a relative** in Canada. The relative must be living in Canada, 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. 5 points
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


How do I apply as an FSW?

If you are eligible to apply under the FSW category, you may submit your profile to Express Entry. Express Entry is a new online application system for economic immigration categories, such as the FSW.