Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for people who want to become permanent residents of Canada based on their age, education, work experience, English/French language proficiency, adaptability, and other criteria that have been shown to help them become economically established in Canada.
This program is part of the Express Entry system. Applications take approximately 6 months to process after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and filing an application for permanent residence.
Federal Skilled Worker Program Requirements
Have obtained at least 12 months of full time (or equivalent part time) work experience in the 10 years before you apply.
Work Experience must be in either a Managerial (NOC 0), Professional (NOC A) or Technical / Skilled Trade (NOC B) occupation.
Meet the minimum language scores in English or French.
Plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
Express Entry
Applicants to the Federal Skilled Worker Program must apply through Express Entry. This involves setting up an online profile with Immigration Canada. Applicants will then be ranked against other applicants in a pool. On a regular basis, Immigration Canada will draw top candidates from the pool and send them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Only those who get an Invitation to Apply from Immigration Canada will be able to apply. You will then have 60 days to submit a full application.
Under Express Entry most complete applications will be processed in six months or less.
Language Test and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
If you meet all the requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), your first step should be to undergo an official English and/or French Language Test, and to have your foreign education evaluated against Canadian standards (Canadian education does not need to be evaluated). Your spouse or common-law partner should also have their education evaluated and language assessed in order to increase your points.
Approved Language Tests:
You can take any of these approved language tests:
English (only the general version is accepted)
Approved ECA Organizations:
You must use one of these designated organizations:
Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
Medical Council of Canada – physicians only
Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada – pharmacists only
Check Your Eligibility
If you would like to know if you are eligible to apply for immigration to Canada through Express Entry, you may complete our free Online Eligibility Questionnaire.