EXPRESS ENTRY: FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER PROGRAM
What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is the primary immigration pathway to Canada for foreign nationals with skilled work experience.
Accepted skill levels cover nearly all occupations that have received a minimum of college/skills training, with work experience in managerial, professional, specialized, or technical (skilled trade) roles.
Who is a federal skilled worker?
You qualify as a federal skilled worker if you meet the following requirements:
- Work experience – valid work experience of at least 1 continuous year in a managerial job, professional job, or technical/skilled trade job
- Language – at least CLB 7 (CELPIP/TEF) or Band 6 (IELTS) in English or French
- Education – minimum secondary degree (high school diploma)
- Adaptability – adaptability factors include (a) relatives in Canada, (b) you or your spouse/partner’s Canadian study/work experience, (c) your spouse/partner’s language ability, (d) you have a valid job offer
- Proof of funds – the amount depends on the number of dependents accompanying you
How are applicants for the Federal Skilled Worker Program assessed?
The above factors are used to assess your eligibility using a 100-point grid system. You earn points based on your qualifications for each of the factors. The current pass mark is at least 67 points.
Can family members accompany the principal applicant?
Yes, you can bring family members that you declared in your application. These include:
- your spouse or common-law partner
- your dependent child (<22 years old)
- your spouse or common-law partner’s dependent child
- a dependent child of a dependent child
How long is the processing time and what are the processing fees?
Assuming your application is complete and accurate, Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) can process applications within 6 months.
Processing fees depend on the number of applicants included in the application. You can view the complete and updated list of IRCC fees here.
What are the key considerations in submitting an application?
The requirements might look simple on paper, but often applications are rejected because the documents submitted were inaccurate, incomplete, or non-compliant. Here are some key considerations when applying for the Federal Skilled Worker program:
- How do you ensure that your application is strong, accurate and complete?
- Do you understand how one requirement impacts another, for a cohesive application?
- How can a job offer help your application?
LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN.
We firmly believe that your success is our success. We’ll strategize on your immigration plan, identify the right pathway for you, and ensure you take the fastest route to Canadian citizenship.
We commit to ensuring that your application package will be accurate, complete, and at its strongest to avoid delays and errors that waste your time and resources. Our goal is to be able to say to you, “Welcome to Canada!”
