The Federal Skilled Worker program is one of three programs that comes within Canada’s Express Entry program. Canada’s Express Entry system was devised to process immigration applications. Through the Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker program, candidates with no connections to Canada and with foreign work experience can apply for permanent resident status in Canada.
A lot goes into putting together your profile before going through any government program. With the help of immigration law offices like Chaudhary Law, you can help build a spotless profile. Here’s everything you need to know about the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker program.
What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program?
The Federal Skilled Worker visa program is managed under the Express Entry program that uses the CRS system, also known as the Comprehensive Ranking System, to rank candidates who wish to immigrate and settle in Canada. Federal Skilled Worker program candidates do not need to have prior work experience in Canada to enter to Express Entry pool, unlike the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program. Instead, FSW program candidates must meet a minimum points requirement on the basis of factors such as language ability, work experience and education. Once candidates have entered the pool, the ones with the most CRS scores will receive invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Federal Skilled Worker Eligibility Criteria:
In order for candidates to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program, candidates must meet minimum points requirements based on different factors such as education, work experience, and language ability (English & French proficiency).
Work Experience:
- At least 12 months of full-time, continuous skilled work employment completed within the last 10 years or an equal amount of time in part-time employment.
- Skilled work experiences refer to those classified under NOC Skill Level 0, A or B (or Teer 3 and above).
Education:
- A Canadian high school diploma (minimum) or a foreign education equivalent.
Language Proficiency:
- Candidates must reach a minimum level 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) on an approved French or English test.
Financial Support:
- Candidates must have enough funds to support themselves and any dependant (family, spouse or children).
Residence in Canada
- Must intend to live outside the province of Quebec.
How can I apply for the FSW program?
When you’re submitting your FSW profile under the Express Entry system, all candidates will need to provide documents such as:
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Educational Credential Assessment:
One will need to claim points to meet the educational requirement and to do so, every candidate must provide a valid ECA report that attests to the value of foreign education by Canadian standards. A total of five organisations in Canada are authorised to issue ECA reports.
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Language Proficiency Test Results:
All candidates applying under the FSW program or the Express Entry program must take a language proficiency test in the last two years and must provide results of the same. The tests that are accepted for English proficiency include IELTS & CELPIP exams (only in Canada). For French, the accepted tests include the Test d’Evaluation de Francais (TEF) and the Test de connaisance du francais pour le Canada (TCF Canada).
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Identification of documents:
Candidates have to provide information through identification documents. Ideally, anyone travelling and accompanying (family members) must also possess valid passports.
How long does it take to process an FSW application?
A federal skilled worker application under the Express Entry program stays valid in the candidate pool for 12 months. While you’re in the pool of candidates and end up receiving an invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have a total of 60 days to complete your documentation and submit all of it to the government of Canada.
However, the standard processing time for Express Entry applications is six months from the date the application is received by the Canadian authorities to the issuance of Canada’s permanent resident visa successfully.
Here are some additional factors that may affect your processing time:
- If the officer can easily confirm the information that you have provided in your application
- If you add another family member to your application
- If your application is incomplete or complex
Am I required to show settlements funds for FSW?
If you are applying under the Federal Skilled Worker program, you have to demonstrate that you can look after yourself financially. The number of family members also affects the amount.
| Number of Family Memebers | Funds Required |
| 1 | $13,310 |
| 2 | $16,570 |
| 3 | $20,371 |
| 4 | $24,733 |
| 5 | $28,052 |
| 6 | $31,638 |
| 7 | $35,224 |
| For an additional family member | $3,586 |
| Required amount as of June 9, 2022 |
What are the processing fees to apply under the FSW program?
| Application | Processing fee in $ CAD |
| Principal applicant (Processing fee and right to permanent residence fee) | $1365 |
| Spouse, conjugal or common-law partner | $1365 |
| A dependent child under the age of 22 who is not someone’s spouse or partner or a dependent over the age of 22 who cannot support themselves because of a mental or physical condition | $230 each per dependent |
To know more about family class sponsorship or procedural fairness, book your consultation at Chaudhary Law office today!
