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Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Your Complete Guide to Canada’s Premier Skilled Worker Immigration Stream

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of Canada’s main immigration pathways for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to become permanent residents. Managed through the Express Entry system, the FSWP selects candidates based on education, work experience, language skills, and other key factors.

For the most current information visit the official IRCC Federal Skilled Worker Program page.

Who Are Skilled Workers?

Canada defines skilled workers as individuals whose work typically requires:

  • A university degree,

  • A college diploma, or

  • Apprenticeship training.

This group includes managers, supervisors, and other professionals across various industries.

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Minimum Requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Canada’s Express Entry system, you must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Skilled Work Experience

  • At least 1 year of continuous paid work in the same occupation within the last 10 years
  • Must be in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
  • Must match the NOC code of your primary occupation
  • You must have performed the main duties and lead statement actions listed in the NOC description
  • Full-time: 30 hours per week for 12 months (1,560 hours total)
  • Part-time equivalent: Any combination totalling 1,560 hours — for example 15 hours per week for 24 months
  • Full-time across multiple jobs: Combined 30 hours per week for 12 months
  • Hours beyond 30 per week are not counted

2. Language Proficiency

  • Minimum CLB 7 in all four abilities — reading, writing, listening, and speaking
  • Must take an approved language test: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada

3. Education

  • A Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree, OR
  • A completed foreign credential with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) showing equivalency to a Canadian credential

4. Selection Factor Points

  • Score at least 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP selection factors grid

5. Proof of Funds

  • Show sufficient funds to support yourself and your family after arriving in Canada
  • Exempt if you are currently authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer

6. Residency Intention

  • Must plan to live outside the province of Quebec
  • Quebec selects its own skilled workers under a separate system

7. Admissibility

  • Must be legally admissible to Canada
  • No issues related to criminality, security, or health that would prevent entry

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Selection Factor Points

You must score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points across six selection factors to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Details for each factor are provided below.

FactorMaximum Points
Language Skills28
Education25
Work Experience15
Age12
Arranged Employment10
Adaptability10
Total100

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Selection Factors (Detailed)

  • Language Skills (FSWP)
    • Language skills are one of the six selection factors under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

    • Up to 28 points can be awarded based on proficiency in English and/or French.

    • Applicants must meet at least CLB level 7 in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

    • Test results from an approved agency (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core, TEF, TCF) are required.

    • Points are awarded according to the following table.
    First Official Language
    Proficiency Level IELTS/CELPIP EquivalencePoints per Ability
    CLB level 9 or higher
    (Initial Advanced)    		IELTS: Listening 8+, Reading 7+, Speaking 7+, Writing 7+

    CELPIP: 9+    		6
    CLB level 8
    (Fluent Intermediate)    		IELTS: Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Speaking 6.5, Writing 6.5

    CELPIP: 8    		5
    CLB level 7
    (Adequate Intermediate)    		IELTS: Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Speaking 6.0, Writing 6.0

    CELPIP: 7    		4
    Below CLB level 7Not eligible to applyNot eligible to apply
    Maximum Points for First Official Language24
    Second Official Language
    CLB 5 and aboveIELTS: Listening 5+, Reading 4.5+, Speaking 5+, Writing 5+

    CELPIP: 5+    		4
    CLB 4 or less in any abilityN/A0
    Maximum Points for Second Official Language4
    * Up to 5 points can be awarded for a spouse or partner’s language ability.

    * Language level must be CLB 4 or higher in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

    * Language skills may also contribute to CRS points under Express Entry’s skill transferability factors.

  • Points are awarded based on the level and equivalency of your completed studies.

  • You must submit your ECA report (for foreign credentials) when applying.

Level of EducationPoints (Max 25)
Doctoral (Ph.D.) level25
Master’s degree or professional degree in a regulated field (Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, etc.)23

Master’s level or professional degree.

To qualify, the occupation related to the degree must:

  • Fall under NOC TEER Category 1

  • Be licensed by a provincial regulatory body

  • In addition, the degree must be in one of the following fields: Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Podiatry, Optometry, Law, Chiropractic Medicine, or Pharmacy.


22
Three-year or longer post-secondary credential21
Two-year post-secondary credential19
One-year post-secondary credential15
Secondary school/high school diploma5

Skilled Work Experience

Your work experience must be in one of the TEER categories: 0, 1, 2, or 3 (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities levels).

It must match the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code related to your primary occupation.

Your primary occupation may differ from your most recent job.

You must have performed:

  • The main duties listed in the NOC description
  • The actions described in the lead statement

Your experience must:

  • Have been gained in the past 10 years
  • Be paid work (wages or commissions — unpaid internships or volunteer work do not count)
  • Be at least one year of continuous full-time work or equivalent (minimum 1,560 hours)

How to Calculate Work Hours

  • Full-time at one job: 30 hours/week for 12 months (1,560 hours total)
  • Part-time: Any combination adding up to 1,560 hours (e.g., 15 hours/week for 24 months)
  • Full-time work at multiple jobs: 30 hours/week for 12 months across more than one job

Important: Hours worked beyond 30 hours per week are not counted.

Part-Time Work Experience

Part-time work is fully acceptable if it adds up to at least 1,560 hours in total.

  • You can work more or less than 15 hours per week.

  • Multiple part-time jobs can be combined to reach the requirement.

  • Flexibility is allowed, but the combined work experience must meet the minimum number of hours.

Student Work Experience

Work experience gained during studies can count if:

  • It was paid (wages or commission)
  • It was continuous (no major gaps)
  • It meets all other FSWP work experience criteria
Work Experience (FSWP)
Work ExperiencePoints (Max 15)
1 year (at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total)9
2–3 years11
4–5 years13
6 years or more15
To qualify for selection factor points under the work experience category:<
* Your work experience can be from Canada or abroad.
* Work completed while studying is eligible.
* Work completed while self-employed is also eligible.
* You must have at least one year of full-time skilled work experience (or the part-time equivalent totaling 1,560 hours).
* You can earn points for up to six years of work experience.
* Your experience must be in an occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.

Age of Applicant (FSWP)
AgePoints (12 max)
18 to 3512 points
3611 points
3710 points
389 points
398 points
407 points
416 points
425 points
434 points
443 points
452 points
461 points
47 and over0 points

Arranged Employment (FSWP)
ScenarioConditionsPoints (Max 10)
Situation 1
Applicant is currently working in Canada on an LMIA-based work permit		• Work permit must be valid when applying and when PR visa is issued.
• Work permit issued based on a positive LMIA in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
• Applicant is working for the employer named on the permit.
• Employer has made a valid job offer as a skilled worker.		10
Situation 2
Applicant is currently working in Canada in an LMIA-exempt job (based on an international agreement, significant benefit, or federal-provincial agreement)		• Work permit must be valid when applying and when PR visa is issued.
• Current employer made a valid job offer.
• Applicant is working for the employer listed on the work permit.
• Applicant has been working for at least 1 continuous year (full-time or equivalent part-time).		10
Situation 3
Applicant does not have a valid work permit (or does not plan to work before PR approval)		• Employer has a positive LMIA.
• Employer has made a valid job offer based on the LMIA and acceptance as a skilled worker.		10
Situation 4
Applicant has a valid work permit but works in an LMIA-exempt job not based on an international, federal, or significant benefit agreement		• Applicant holds a valid work permit (or is authorized to work without one).
• A different employer (not the current employer) has a positive LMIA.
• The new employer has made a valid job offer based on that LMIA and acceptance as a skilled worker.		10
To qualify for arranged employment points:<<
* You must have a valid, full-time, non-seasonal job offer for at least one year in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
* IRCC must be satisfied that:
     ◦ You can perform the job duties.
     ◦ You can become licensed or certified in Canada (if required).

Adaptability (FSWP)
• Up to 10 points can be awarded under the Adaptability factor, based on an applicant’s ability to establish themselves in Canada.

• Points can be earned for:

     ◦ Full-time work experience in Canada,

     ◦ Spouse or common-law partner’s qualifications,

     ◦ Or a combination of several adaptability factors.

• Adaptability points assess how well you and your spouse or partner are likely to settle successfully in Canada.

• You and your spouse or partner can combine different adaptability factors to earn a maximum of 10 points.
Adaptability FactorDescriptionPoints (Max 10)
Principal applicant's previous work in CanadaAt least 1 year of full-time work in Canada in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, with a valid work permit or authorization.10
Principal applicant's past studies in CanadaCompleted at least 2 academic years of full-time study in a program of at least 2 years at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada.5
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner’s past studies in CanadaSpouse/partner completed at least 2 academic years of full-time study in a 2-year program at a secondary or post-secondary institution in Canada.5
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner’s past work in CanadaSpouse/partner completed at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada with a valid work permit or authorization.5
Arranged employment in CanadaThe principal applicant earned points for having arranged employment under the Federal Skilled Worker Program.5
Relatives in CanadaPrincipal applicant or spouse/partner has a relative living in Canada (18 years or older, Canadian citizen or permanent resident). Eligible relatives include parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew.5
Spouse or partner’s language abilitySpouse/partner has CLB 4 or higher (or equivalent IELTS) in all four abilities (speaking, listening, reading, writing) with valid test results.5

* Full-time study is defined as at least 15 hours of classes per week. You must maintain good academic standing during your studies.


** A relative must be a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew of either the applicant or their spouse or common-law partner. The relative must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
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Proof of Funds

To meet the requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family upon settling in Canada.

You do not need to show proof of funds if you:

  • are currently legally authorized to work in Canada, and

  • have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Minimum Necessary Income (MNI)
This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada.
Number of
family members		LICO (2025) - Updated July 7, 2025LICO (2024)
1 Person$15,263$14,690
2 persons$19,001$18,288
3 persons$23,360$22,483
4 persons$28,362$27,297
5 persons$32,168$30,690
6 persons$36,280$34,917
7 persons$40,392$38,875
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member$4,112$3,958
You may use the LICO table for both settlement funds and minimum necessary income. Here are some examples.
* FSWP & FSTP – 6-month LICO for settlement funds
* Super visa for parents and grandparents – 12-month LICO for minimum income
* Start-Up Visa – 6-month LICO for immigration, 12-month LICO for work permit

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Admissibility

To immigrate to or enter Canada, you must be admissible.

Some individuals may be barred from entering Canada for various reasons.
Common grounds for inadmissibility include security concerns, criminal history, and medical issues that could pose a risk to public health or safety or place an excessive demand on health or social services.

If you are found inadmissible, you may be denied entry or refused immigration status.

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Where You Can Live in Canada

When immigrating through federal programs, you must intend to live outside the province of Quebec.
Quebec manages its own immigration programs and independently selects skilled workers.
If you are planning to settle in Quebec, you must apply through the Quebec-selected skilled worker program.

When completing your immigration profile, you will be asked where you intend to live in Canada.
However, you are not obligated to settle in the province or territory you initially select in your profile.

Important:
If you immigrate through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you are expected to live and work in the province or territory that nominated you.

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How to Apply — Step by Step

  1. Check your NOC code and confirm your occupation is TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
  2. Take an approved language test and achieve minimum CLB 7 in all four abilities
  3. Get an ECA for any foreign education credentials
  4. Calculate your FSWP selection factor score — must be 67 or higher
  5. Create your Express Entry profile and enter the pool
  6. Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through a regular or category-based draw
  7. Submit your complete permanent residence application within 60 days of receiving your ITA
  8. Provide biometrics, complete your medical exam, and submit police certificates
  9. Wait for IRCC’s final decision — most complete applications are processed within 6 to 12 months

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Frequently Asked Questions

The FSWP is a Canadian immigration program under Express Entry, designed for skilled workers with foreign work experience.
It selects candidates for permanent residency based on a points system that evaluates education, work history, language ability, and other factors.

To be eligible, applicants must:

  • Have at least one year of continuous, paid, skilled work experience within the last 10 years,

  • Achieve at least CLB 7 in all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) through an approved test,

  • Hold a Canadian educational credential or a recognized foreign credential with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA),

  • Show sufficient settlement funds (unless exempt),

  • Score at least 67 points out of 100 on the selection factors grid,

  • Plan to live outside Quebec.

No. First, you must create an Express Entry profile and enter the pool of candidates.
Only if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) can you submit a full application for permanent residency.

There is no specific occupations list.
However, your work experience must be in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 categories.

The FSWP points system awards up to 100 points based on:

  • Language ability (up to 28 points),

  • Education (up to 25 points),

  • Work experience (up to 15 points),

  • Age (up to 12 points),

  • Arranged employment in Canada (up to 10 points),

  • Adaptability (up to 10 points).

A minimum of 67 points is required to qualify.

Yes, but only if the work was:

  • Paid,

  • Continuous (with no major gaps),

  • In a skilled NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

Unpaid internships and volunteer work do not count.

No. You do not need to show a direct link between your education and your work experience.
What matters is that your work duties match the NOC description for the occupation you are claiming.

If you receive an ITA, you must submit:

  • Passport or travel document,

  • Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF),

  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign education,

  • Proof of work experience (reference letters, payslips),

  • Proof of settlement funds,

  • Police certificates for all countries where you lived for 6+ months,

  • Medical exam results,

  • Other documents depending on your personal situation (e.g., marriage certificates).

Unless exempt, you must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family.
The amount depends on your family size and is updated annually by IRCC.

Funds must be readily available, such as in a personal savings account.

No. A job offer is not required to apply under FSWP.

Yes!
You can earn adaptability points if you or your spouse/common-law partner has a close relative who is a:

  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident,

  • Living in Canada.

Eligible relatives include:

  • Parents,

  • Grandparents,

  • Brothers or sisters,

  • Aunts or uncles,

  • Nieces or nephews,

  • Grandchildren.

This relationship can add 5 points to your selection factors score.

You can improve your points by:

  • Retaking language tests for higher scores (especially CLB 9+),

  • Gaining additional skilled work experience,

  • Pursuing further education (certificate, diploma, degree),

  • Obtaining a Provincial Nomination (PNP) (worth 600 CRS points),

  • Including your spouse’s education, work, or language scores if applicable.

Once you receive an ITA and submit a complete application:

  • Most applications are processed within six months.

  • Processing time can vary based on:

    • How quickly you gather documents,

    • Your CRS competitiveness,

    • Background checks or additional verifications.

Yes. You can include:

  • Your spouse or common-law partner,

  • Your dependent children (under 22 years old).

All family members must undergo medical, security, and admissibility checks.

If your FSWP points are below 67:

  • You are not eligible under the FSWP,

  • You may improve your eligibility (language, education, experience, job offer),

  • Or you can explore other immigration pathways such as:

    • Canadian Experience Class (CEC),

    • Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Quebec has its own separate immigration system.
If you intend to live in Quebec, you must apply through the Quebec-Selected Skilled Worker Program (QSWP), which has different selection criteria and processes.

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Related Resources

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Ready to Apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

The FSWP is one of the most competitive and rewarding pathways to Canadian permanent residence. Getting your profile right from the start makes all the difference.

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