Your Pathway to Canadian Permanent Residency: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a well established route to permanent residency in Canada, offered through the Express Entry system. It is specifically designed for skilled professionals with work experience gained outside of Canada. Through this program, eligible individuals and their families can make Canada their new home based on key selection factors such as age, education, language proficiency, and professional background.
The Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program not only opens doors to a better quality of life but also allows newcomers to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s growing economy. If you’re looking for a stable future in one of the world’s most inclusive and opportunity-rich countries, this program could be your ideal starting point. Canada is known for its strong economy, high standard of living, and welcoming environment for newcomers. The Federal Skilled Worker Program is designed for individuals who have valuable work experience outside Canada and are ready to contribute to the country’s growing workforce.
Even if you haven’t studied or worked in Canada before, you can still qualify based on your skills, education, and language ability. If selected through the Express Entry system, you and your family could be on your way to permanent residency and a fresh start in one of the world’s most stable and diverse countries.
How much money you need to live in Canada ?
The amount of money you need to support your family is based the size of your family. This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application . Showing proof of funds is mandatory for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The table below outlines the general amount of money required to support yourself in Canada, whether you’re moving alone, with your family, or with additional dependents.
| Number of Family Members | Fund you need (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | CAD $14,690 |
| 2 | CAD $18,288 |
| 3 | CAD $22,483 |
| 4 | CAD $27,297 |
| 5 | CAD $30,690 |
| 6 | CAD $34,917 |
| 7 | CAD $38,875 |
| More than 7 and for each additional dependents | CAD $ 3,958 |
Eligibility for Canada Federal Skilled worker Program (FSWP)
To apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you’ll need to meet a few basic requirements. These ensure you have the skills and qualifications to successfully settle and contribute to life in Canada. To be eligible, you must:
1. Have Skilled Work Experience
You must have at least one year of continuous, full time paid work experience (or the equivalent in part-time) in a skilled job within the last 10 years. The job must fall under categories defined by Canada’s national job classification system (TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
2. Meet Language Requirements
You’ll need to show strong English or French skills by taking an approved language test. A minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 is required in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
3. Have the Right Educational Background
You must have completed at least a high school diploma. If your education was outside Canada, you’ll need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm it’s equal to Canadian standards.
4. Show Proof of Funds
You must prove you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada, unless you already have a valid job offer or are legally working in the country.
5. Be Admissible to Canada
You must be allowed to enter Canada, meaning you have no serious criminal record or medical issues that would prevent you from immigrating.
6. Plan to Live Outside Quebec
This program is for people who intend to live in any province or territory other than Quebec, which has its own selection process.
Stage 1 : When Creating Your Express Entry Profile (Before ITA)
At this point, you only need documents to prove your eligibility and calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Here’s what you must have:
Stage 2 : After You Receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply)
After getting an ITA will you need to upload supporting documents, like:
| Documents | Needed for Profile | Needed After ITA |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Language test result | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| ECA (foreign education only) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Job offer | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Work experience | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Proof of fund | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Police certificate | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Medical Exam | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Fill Out the Application Form
Your ITA is valid for 60 days. It’s important to start your application promptly to gather all the required information and documents before the deadline. This means you must submit your application within 60 days from the date the ITA was issued, or it will be removed from the system.
Please note the form will inquire if you’ve previously applied to IRCC. This refers to full applications like visas or work permits; merely creating an Express Entry profile doesn’t count. If you decline the ITA, you’ll return to the Express Entry pool and may be considered in future invitation rounds, provided you remain eligible.
If your not invited to appy,
If you don’t receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) within that time, it will automatically be removed from the system. You’ll be notified through your online account.
Profiles not selected within a year are automatically deleted. You can check the expiration date in your Express Entry dashboard.
Avoid submitting a new profile while your current one is still active. If you want to start over early, be sure to withdraw your existing profile first. You can always reapply to the Express Entry pool by creating a new profile after your original one expires.
Express Entry profiles are only valid for 12 months. If you aren’t invited during that period, the system will automatically remove your profile and alert you via your account.
Once your profile expires, you’ll no longer be in the candidate pool, and the system will notify you. You may then submit a brand-new profile.
** Please note If you decline an ITA, don’t worry you’ll be put back into the Express Entry pool of candidates. You’ll be considered in future rounds of invitations, if you’re still eligible. The cut-off score varies from round to round. **
After apporval What You’ll Receive
After approval, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), which includes your personal details and photograph. You will also receive a Permanent Resident (PR) visa if you’re from a country that requires a visa to enter Canada.
If you’re inside Canada, IRCC will contact you via email to confirm your presence and provide access to the Permanent Residence Portal. They will create an account for you, so there’s no need to set one up yourself. You will receive your electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (e-COPR) through the portal.
If You’re Outside Canada, you have to carry your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), PR visa (if applicable), and a valid regular passport. Bring proof of funds unless exempt.
At the port of entry, present your documents to the CBSA officer, who will verify your identity and eligibility. If everything is in order, you’ll be granted entry as a permanent resident.
** After arriving in Canada, you must provide your Canadian mailing address to IRCC to receive your PR card. If your address changes within 180 days, update it using IRCC’s web form. You can use your COPR or e-COPR to apply for essential services such as a Social Insurance Number (SIN), healthcare, and other newcomer support programs. **
Selection Factors for Canada Federal Skilled worker Program (FSWP) :
To qualify for the Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates are evaluated on a points system that considers six key factors. You can score up to 100 points in total, and you’ll need at least 67 points to be eligible. These points help determine how likely you are to succeed in Canada, based on your skills, background, and potential to adapt. Here’s a breakdown of the six selection factors:
1. Language Proficiency (Up to 28 Points)
Canada values strong communication skills in either English or French, its two official languages. Points are awarded based on your ability to listen, speak, read, and write effectively. Higher test scores in an approved language exam can give you a better overall ranking.
2. Education ( Up to 25 Points )
Your education plays a major role in your eligibility. Points are given based on the highest level of education you’ve completed. If your studies were outside of Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that your qualifications meet Canadian standards.
3. Work Experience ( Up to 15 Points )
This factor considers how many years of full time, paid work experience you have in a skilled occupation. The more experience you bring to the table, the higher your score. Your job must align with Canada’s list of eligible skilled occupations.
4. Age ( Up to 12 Points )
Your age at the time of application also affects your score. The maximum points are awarded to applicants between 18 and 35 years old, as they are considered to have the highest potential for long-term contribution and adaptation.
5. Arranged Employment ( Up to 10 Points )
If you already have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you can earn additional points. The offer must be full-time, for at least one year, and supported by the necessary approvals (such as a Labour Market Impact Assessment, if required).
6. Adaptability ( Up to 10 Points )
This category rewards candidates who have a connection to Canada, such as previous work or study experience in the country, or a close family member living there. These factors can make settling in Canada easier and more successful.
What You Need to Provide as Proof of Settlement Funds ?
When applying for Canadian permanent residency, you must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family as you settle in Canada. These funds must be available at two important stages:
Documents You Must Provide :
To prove that you have the required funds, you need to obtain official letters from every bank or financial institution where you hold an account. These letters must:
It’s not just about having money in your account, you need to show that you can actually use it once you’re in Canada. The funds you show as proof must be easily accessible and legally yours. You can’t include the value of property or real estate, and you’re not allowed to borrow this money from someone else. These funds should be enough to help you settle and cover your living expenses, even if your family isn’t joining you right away.
If your spouse is coming with you, money in a joint bank account can be included. Even if the account is only in your spouse’s name, that’s okay too as long as you can clearly prove that you have access to those funds
Who Needs a Police Certificate?
You’ll need to get police certificates for yourself and any family members who are 18 or older. These certificates should cover any country where you or your family members have lived for six months or more in the last ten years. Don’t worry, though you don’t need to provide certificates for time spent in Canada or for periods before you turned 18. That said, after you apply, the immigration officer might ask for additional police certificates for any time you’ve spent in other countries since you turned 18. So, it’s a good idea to be ready just in case.
How to Get a Police Certificate ?
To get a police certificate, you usually need to contact the police or relevant government authority in the country where you lived. They may ask for personal details like your photo, fingerprints, and past addresses, and you’ll likely need to pay a fee. If the certificate is not in English or French, you must also include a certified translation along with the original document. For specific steps based on your country, refer to the official IRCC website.
If You Can’t Obtain a Police Certificate in Time
If you’re unable to get a police certificate in time after being invited to apply, don’t panic. You can still submit your application within the 60 day period. Just include a simple explanation in the police certificate section, especially if the country you’re applying from requires an official request from IRCC. Also, attach any proof that shows you’ve already requested the certificate like a payment receipt, tracking number, or a letter from the authority explaining the delay. As long as you clearly show that you’ve made a genuine effort, the officer reviewing your application will take that into account.