Express Entry: An Overview Of The Federal Skill Worker Program

For those thinking about making Canada their permanent home, the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program within Express Entry is often a top choice. This program is popular because it allows for a large number of applicants, is easy to apply to, and has fast processing times. These features make it appealing to people from all over the world.

However, applying for permanent residency (PR) in Canada is a significant decision that can greatly impact your future. In this article, we'll go into detail about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program, helping you get ready to pursue PR in Canada through Express Entry.

What Is Express Entry?

Express Entry is a system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite eligible candidates to apply for permanent residence. Candidates express their interest in moving to Canada by creating an online profile. If their profiles meet the eligibility criteria, they are added to the Express Entry pool and ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on their personal information.

The pool includes candidates from the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC). IRCC periodically selects candidates from this pool in what are called Express Entry draws.

There are many advantages as well as disadvantages of opting for the FSWP program, such as:

Eligibility Requirements For The Federal Skilled Worker Program

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need to meet the following basic requirements:

Language Score

You are required to take one of the following tests to assess your English or French language skills: IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, TEF, or TCF. Taking a test for the second official language (English or French) can earn you up to 24 additional points.

Work Experience Details

Your work experience must:

• Be in the same NOC category as your primary occupation.

• Have been paid employment (wages or commission; volunteer work and unpaid internships don’t qualify).

• Be within the last 10 years.

• Amount to at least one year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total, which can be accumulated through:

• Full-time work: 30 hours/week for 12 months (1,560 hours).

• Part-time work: For example, 15 hours/week for 24 months, totaling 1,560 hours. One caan combine multiple part-time jobs to meet this requirement.

If you meet all the minimum requirements, your application will be further assessed on:

• Age

• Level of education

• Work experience

• Valid job offer

• Language skills in English or French

• Adaptability (likelihood of settling successfully in Canada)

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates need to score at least 67 out of 100 points on a specific points grid.

Processing Fee For The Exam

When you apply for permanent residence under the Federal Skilled Worker program, you need to pay government processing fees. These fees are in addition to proving you have sufficient funds for settlement, which is a requirement for eligibility under this program.

The fees for applying are detailed below:

FSW Application Processing Time And Requirements

• Your Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months in the candidate pool.

• If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 days to submit your full application and necessary documents.

• The standard processing time from application submission to receiving a permanent residence visa is six months.

Here are some factors that may change the processing time: 

• Complexity and completeness of your application.

• How easily an officer can verify your application details.

• Adding an extra family member to your application.

How Much Settlement Funds Do You Need?

Your settlement funds depend on the number of family members included in the application:

Once you have your documents and everything ready, you can submit your profile to enter the Express Entry pool. After you submit, your profile will be ranked according to your CRS scores. Make sure to keep track of the draw results on the government website. If your score meets the latest cut-off, you’ll get an ITA in your IRCC profile along with an email invitation.

Conclusion

The FSWP stands out due to its inclusive criteria that allow a diverse range of applicants to qualify based solely on their skills, experience, and potential to adapt to Canadian society, without the need for existing ties to Canada. As we've discussed, candidates must meet stringent requirements in terms of skilled work experience, language proficiency, and education. Successfully navigating these prerequisites places you in a position to significantly benefit from the Express Entry system, which not only prioritizes speed and efficiency but also transparency in the selection process.