The federal skilled worker program is among the most sought-after programs in the express entry category. The program allows only the best of the best to win the jackpot i.e. every applicant is screened and scored using the comprehensive ranking system (CRS). Every foreign worker who is extraordinarily talented and skilled in their field can easily apply for this type of program and win the jackpot. A federal skilled worker program (FSWP) will allow you to enter the country and work and give you a permanent resident card. A permanent resident card permits you to stay in the country on a long-term basis and even gives you the chance to apply for Canadian citizenship.
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements of a Federal Skilled Worker Program
Before applying for the federal skilled worker program, it is essential that you know and understand the eligibility criteria and requirements of the program to be successful. Skilled workers are chosen based on their education level, language skills, work experience, and others. These criteria and requirements are:
1. Language Skills: For a federal skilled worker program, you must be able to write, understand, and read, either of the two Canadian official languages i.e. French or English. Language proficiency can be proved by taking the approved language test/exam in English or French i.e. the IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, etc.
2. Education Credentials: Whether you study in Canada or outside the country, you will have to submit your academic credentials i.e. secondary school certificate and post-secondary school certificate like a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, etc. But if you have your education outside the country, you must take an educational credential assessment for immigration purposes.
3. Work Experience: Your work experience must be a year of continuous work experience under full-time paid work in one of these (Training, education, experience, and responsibilities) TEER categories 0,1,2, or 3. Other criteria regarding work experience are:
- Your work experience must have the same National occupation code (NOC) as the one you want to use for your immigration application.
- Your work experience must be obtained in the last 10 years in the Country or outside.
- Volunteer work or unpaid internship work experience is not considered.
- Your work experience must show that you are involved in major actions
4. Financial Capability: You must be able to prove that you are financially capable of supporting your needs and families. This may not be considered in a situation where the applicant has a valid job offer in Canada.
5. Good Health: You must be in good health and possess no threatening health condition. You may have to undergo a medical exam to prove that you are fully healthy.
6. Police clearance certificate/report: You will need a police clearance report/certificate to show that you are not a criminal or have been involved in any serious crime from your home country.
Canada Work Visa Made easy: The Application Process
Selection Factors For a Federal Skilled Worker Program
Selection factors are those criteria used to assess and award ranks/scores to all the applicants of the Federal skilled worker program in Canada. These factors assist the IRCC official in determining the quality skills and potentials of the applicants which will be used to work in the Canadian labor market and set him/her for survival in the society. The selection factor points will be used to assess your eligibility for the program. Every applicant also scored all over 100.
- If your score is 67 points or higher, you can qualify for the Federal skilled worker program.
- However, if your score is below 67 points, you can not qualify for the federal skilled worker program.
The Six Selection Factors
1. Language skills: You must be proficient in English or French and take a language exam test to prove your proficiency. Applicants will be assessed based on their ability to speak, write, listen, and read.
- First official language (maximum points 24 points)
Below is the allocation of points for language test results:
| First official language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| CLB
Level 9 or higher |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB
Level 8 |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Below
CLB Level 7 |
Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply |
| CLB
Level 7 |
4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
- Second official language (maximum 4 points)
With a score of CLB 5 in all four language abilities, you are qualified for application. i.e.
| Second official language | Points |
| CLB 5 in all 4 language abilities (writing, speaking, reading, and listening) | 4 |
| CLB 4 or less in any of the 4 language abilities | 0 |
Four Major Steps to Take Before Applying for any Unskilled jobs in Canada
2. Education (maximum 25 points)
This includes your education certificates i.e. your bachelor’s degree, high school diploma and secondary school certificate, etc. All these credentials together with your education credential assessment report will be used to award points to you. You should also note that if your education credentials are given in Canada, you will need an ECA (education credential assessment).
3. Age (maximum 12 points)
Age is also used to award marks and is another selection criterion that matters a lot. Because the younger you are, the more points you will gather, and vice versa. For example; applicants under the age of 18 years old will receive 0 points while 18-35 years will receive 12 points, etc.
4. Skilled work experience (Maximum points)
Your work experience is really important regarding your application to for federal skilled worker program in Canada and it doesn’t matter much if the skilled work experience is in Canada or foreign (from your home country or any other place aside from Canada), or it was from an organization you have worked for while you were studying or being a self-employed individual. The maximum points from this selection factor is 15 and is calculated according to the number of years i.e
| Years of experience | Points |
| 1 | 9 |
| 2-3 years | 11 |
| 4-5 years | 13 |
| 6 years and older | 15 |
5. Canada Job offer (maximum 10 points)
You will get more points if you are offered a job by a Canadian employer who resides or is willing to reside in the country. The job offer must have been given before you begin your application as a candidate for the federal skilled worker program. The conditions of the job include:
- It has to be a paid, continuous, full-time work with no plans of quitting or contract termination of at least a year.
- The job must be listed in the NOC list in Canada and it is not a seasonal job.
- And if the job requires that you are certified or licensed, you must be able to prove that you are licensed and you will get licensed from the regulation body in Canada.
6. Adaptability (maximum 10 points)
This involves your ability, people’s influences, and others to help adapt to Canada’s environment. These people may be your family members, spouse, previous work experience, etc.
Comprehensive Ranking System
The comprehensive ranking system has been a useful tool that has been designed to rank the Candidates in the express entry pool. The points are awarded to applicants based on the above selection factors, and fortunately, Candidates with the highest points are invited to begin their application. The components of the Comprehensive points are age (Maximum points of 100-110), language proficiency (maximum points of 150-160 points), Canadian work experience (70-80 points), and other additional components including skill transferability (maximum points of 40), Spouse/legal partner (maximum points of 40), provincial nomination (maximum points of 600), etc. The maximum points that can be accumulated during the CRS calculation is 1200 points.
NOTE: The six selection factors are used mainly for the assessment of federal skilled worker program applicants while the comprehensive ranking system is used to assess candidates in the express entry pool.
Canada Parcel Delivery Agent Relief Job – Start Application
Step-by-step Guidelines to Apply For a Federal Skilled Worker Program
To apply for a federal skilled worker program, the following steps should be followed to achieve a better result, these steps are:
Step 1: Determine your Eligibility
- A federal skilled worker program requires you to possess some important criteria and requirements, these are: work experience, education credential assessment report, language proficiency, etc.
- Ensure that you can meet up with all the requirements before you begin your application.
Step 2: Get your documents ready
- You must ensure that your documents are ready and it is in the requested format.
- The list of documents needed for application are: ID valid passport, employment letters, education credentials, language test results, etc.
Step 3: Create an Express Entry account
- To proceed with your application you must create an express entry account to continue with your application.
- Visit the IRCC website to register your account.
Step 4: Provide Information
- You must have downloaded your online application form on the IRCC portal after you have successfully created your account.
- You will fill out the form, provide all the information requested, and review your application twice before final submission.
Step 5: Receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- You will receive an ITA if you can pass above the pass mark and rank higher against others in the express entry pool.
- The email received will contain the instructions on how to proceed.
Step 6: Submit your application for Permanent residence
- You will submit your application for permanent residence after being permitted to proceed with your application.
- You may have to upload your documents again for verification.
- You will also pay the required application fee.
Step 7: The Processing times
- The processing times for a federal skilled worker program may take a few months.
Step 8: Application Approval
- If your application is approved, you will receive a notification for the confirmation of your permanent residence card.
How to Get a Canadian Permanent Residency Through the Provincial Program
Conclusion
The federal skilled worker program is for every skilled and extraordinary worker in their field or choice of occupation. Canada has always opened their doors to those who are ready to add more value and growth to their economy. If you are a skilled worker, you are very important and a key asset to Canada. Start your application now and begin a new journey in a new country