The Federal Skilled Work Visa

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has been one of the most popular immigration programs.

A skilled worker is a person who can compete and succeed in the country’s knowledge-based economy and has the ability to be self-supporting upon the arrival in Canada. In order to qualify, the applicant must score a minimum of 67 points out of the possible 100 points.

All applicants must meet the following minimal requirements to apply as a skilled worker:

• You must have at least one year of continuous full-time, paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment.
• You must have had this experience within the last 10 years.
• Your work experience must be Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupation Classification (NOC).

Your application to come to Canada as a skilled worker will also be assessed against a point system consisting of six selection factors. The six selection factors are:

Below is a detailed description of all factors that are to be assessed.

Factor 1 – Education(maximum of 25 points)

Points are awarded for earned educational credentials as well as the number of years of full-time studies or full-time equivalent studies. To be awarded points, you must meet both stated criteria.

Full-time studies: At least 15 hours of instruction per week during the academic year. This includes any period of workplace training that forms part of the course.

Full-time equivalent studies: If you completed a program of study on a part-time or accelerated basis, count the length of time it would have taken to complete the program on a full-time basis.

Use the chart below to determine your points. If you have not completed the number of years of study that correspond to your highest educational credential, award yourself points based on the number of years of study.

Factor 2 – Ability in English and/or French(maximum of 28 points)

The ability to communicate and work in one or both of Canada’s official languages is very important to you as a skilled worker. Proficiency in English, French or both will help you in the Canadian labor market.

You will be awarded up to 28 points for your basic, moderate or high proficiency in English and French. You will be given points based on your ability to:

• Listen
• Speak
• Read
• Write

Proof of language proficiency

Use your language test results from a designated testing agency, to determine how many points you will be awarded for language proficiency.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)
Second Official Language: Maximum 4 points – CLB 5 in all abilities

Factor 3 – Work experience (maximum of 15 points)

You will earn points for the number of years you have spent in full-time (37.5 hours per week), paid work.

Minimum work experience requirements
You must meet the following minimum work experience requirements to be eligible to apply as a skilled worker:

• You must have at least one year of full-time, paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time employment.
• Your work experience must be in occupation of Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B of the Canadian National Occupation Classification (NOC).
• You must have had this experience within the last 10 years.

Factor 4 – Age (maximum of 12 points)

Factor 5 – Arranged employment (maximum of 10 points)

In some cases, you can get points if you have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Canadian employer. The job must be arranged before you apply to come to Canada as a federal skilled worker.

A valid job offer has to be:

• For full-time, permanent and not seasonal work.

Factor 6 – Adaptability (maximum of 10 points)

Your spouse or partner’s language level
Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all four language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing).To get these points, you must submit test results from an approved agency when you apply. Results cannot be more than two years old on the day you apply.

Your past study in Canada
You finished at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and you must have stayed in good academic standing (as set out by the school) during that time.

Your spouse or partner’s past study in Canada
Your spouse or common-law partner finished at least two academic years of full-time study (in a program at least two years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and your spouse or partner must have stayed in good academic standing (as set out by the school) during that time.

Your past work in Canada
You did at least one year of full-time work in Canada:

1. In an occupation listed in Skill Type O or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and
2. With a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.

Your spouse or common-law partner’s past work in Canada
Your spouse/partner did at least one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.

Arranged Employment in Canada
You earned points under Factor 5: Arranged Employment.

Relatives in Canada
You, or, if it applies, your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative, either a

•  parent,
•  grandparent,
• child,
• grandchild
• child of a parent (sibling),
• child of a grandparent (aunt or uncle), or
• grandchild of a parent (niece or nephew), who is
• living in Canada
• 18 years or older and
• a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

One of our immigration consultants can speak with you in person, online or on the phone about your unique immigration situation and give you a breakdown of your options.