Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)

Canada Federal Skilled Worker Express Entry?

What is  Federal Skilled Worker Express Entry?

Express Entry allows Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite eligible candidates to make an application for permanent residence.

These candidates have all made a formal ‘Expression of Interest to settle in Canada by creating an online Express Entry profile. Eligible candidates have their profiles accepted to the Express Entry pool where they are given a score and ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on the personal information they provided.

In addition to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the pool contains candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC). IRCC then invites candidates to apply during its Express Entry draws from the pool.

Federal Skilled Worker Express Entry Program advantages

For Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates there are two distinct advantages, and one possible disadvantage, under Express Entry.

Advantages:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class candidates do not require any connection to Canada in order to be eligible for the program. Minimum requirements for work experience, language proficiency, and education can all be completed outside of Canada, so the program is an excellent option for those living outside of Canada.
• The Federal Skilled Worker Program candidates receive the highest percentage of invitations to apply, with FSWC candidates receiving more than half of all invitations issued in 2018.

Potential disadvantage:

• Even if you are eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, there is no guarantee that you will receive an invitation to apply. If your CRS score is below the cut-off required to receive an invitation, consult our guide on how to increase your CRS score.

Let’s go over the eligibility requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Class, as it is not enough just to have skilled work experience.

Eligibility Requirements – Federal Skilled Worker Class

In order to be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class, you must meet several minimum eligibility criteria:

• Work Experience: You must have a minimum of 12-months of full-time, skilled work experience, or an equivalent amount in part-time experience. This experience must be continuous and in a single occupation. To be considered “skilled” experience, you must have been working in an occupation at National Occupation Classification (NOC) Skill Level 0, A, or B.
• Language Proficiency: You must take an approved language test showing you are proficient in either English or French. The minimum score for FSWC is equal to the Canadian Language Benchmark of Level 7 (CLB 7), although the higher you score, the better your chances of success.
• Education: You must have completed a minimum education equal to the completion of a Canadian high school diploma. If your education was completed outside of Canada, you will need an Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) attesting to the value of your education by Canadian standards.
• Federal Skilled Worker Points Grid: All FSWC candidates must score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP points grid. Details are below.
• Settlement Funds: You must have enough funds to support your settlement in Canada. Details are below.

If you meet these minimum requirements, you may be eligible to submit an Express Entry profile. However, please note that being eligible does not guarantee that you’ll be invited to submit an official application for Canadian permanent residence. Express Entry is a competitive immigration selection system, so only the highest-ranking FSWC candidates will be invited to apply.

Does Australia have a plan like this?  click Here

Federal Skilled Worker Points Grid

In order to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Class, candidates must score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on this points grid. Please note that this is a completely separate points system from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to rank all Express Entry profiles.

Six factors are considered under the Federal Skilled Worker Program points grid. Click on any of the slides below to learn more.

First language ability

Second language ability

Spouse / common-law partner’s language ability (first language only)

Federal skilled worker points for level of education are assessed on the following basis:

Some notes on work experience and the Federal Skilled Worker Class:

• Only skilled work experience is counted. Skilled work experience for federal skilled workers is work experience in an occupation that falls under a National Occupational Classification (NOC) code at 0, A, or B level.
• A minimum of nine points must be obtained under the work experience in order for candidates to be eligible under the Federal Skilled Worker Class.

Federal skilled worker points work experience is available on the following basis.

Federal skilled worker points for age are available on the following basis:

Having ‘arranged employment in Canada can result in 10 points being awarded. This is when a federal skilled worker candidate receives a qualifying offer of full-time employment in Canada under one of the following scenarios:

The candidate is currently working in Canada on a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)-based work permit in a skilled occupation.

• The work permit must be valid when the application is made.
• The employer has made a full-time job offer in a skilled occupation to the candidate.

OR

The candidate is currently working in Canada on a LMIA-exempt work permit or a work permit issued under a provincial/territorial agreement.

• The work permit must be valid when the application is made.
• The employer has made a full-time job offer in a skilled occupation to the candidate.

OR

The candidate holds a valid Canadian work permit or is otherwise authorized to work in Canada, but does not fall into either of the above scenarios.

• The work permit authorization is valid when the application is made.
• A prospective employer has offered a permanent, full-time job to the candidate.
• This job offer is supported by a positive LMIA.

OR

The candidate does not hold a valid Canadian work permit.

• A prospective employer has offered a permanent, full-time job to the candidate.
• This job offer is supported by a positive LMIA.

In any of the above scenarios, 10 FSW points may be awarded under the arranged employment factor. A further five FSW points may be awarded for arranged employment under the adaptability factor (see below).

Federal Skilled Worker Class candidates may obtain up to 10 points under the adaptability factor, which assesses individuals’ and families’ ability to become established in Canada from an economic and social point of view.

Though the table below shows the various ways whereby a candidate may be awarded points under this factor, please note that you ‘max out’ once you receive 10 points for adaptability.

*The relative must be at least 18 years of age and may be the relative of the candidate or his or her spouse/common-law partner. The relative may be a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, and the relative must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

How to Improve Your CRS Score for Express Entry:

One popular method of increasing your CRS score is to re-take your language tests. If your scores could be improved, it may be worthwhile to take some time to study and then sit the exam again.

There are other potential ways to improve your ranking, such as completing additional work experience or seeing if you are eligible under one of the Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program streams, particularly those in the province in which you work(ed). Your experience and skills may be in demand in the province, and so there could be a 600-point bonus waiting for you.

Everything is summarized in the table below.