Federal Skilled Worker Program - Express Entry Program For International Skilled Workers

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Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the most recognized immigration pathways under the Express Entry system—designed for experienced professionals from around the world who want to permanently settle and work in Canada.

What is the FSWP?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is a part of Canada's Express Entry system, tailored for international skilled workers with no prior Canadian work or study experience. It evaluates applicants based on their age, education, work experience, and language proficiency to determine their ability to economically establish themselves in Canada.

Benefits of Applying through FSWP

  • Direct PR Pathway: Get permanent residency without needing a Canadian job offer.
  • Fast Processing: Target of 6 months under Express Entry.
  • Family Included: Spouse and dependent children can immigrate with you.
  • Access to Canadian Labor Market: Once a PR, you can live and work anywhere in Canada.
  • Eligibility from Overseas: Apply even if you're not currently in Canada.

IRCC 2025 Targets For FSWP

  • Canada aims to admit 395,000 new permanent residents via economic pathways in 2025.
  • Express Entry targets approx. 110,770 spots in 2025, a slight increase from 2024.
  • The FSWP is expected to contribute significantly to this target, especially for high-demand skilled professionals.

FSWP Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for FSWP, you must meet the following:

  • One year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
  • Language proficiency: CLB 7 or higher in all four skills.
  • Education: Post-secondary degree with a valid ECA.
  • Score at least 67/100 on the FSWP points grid.
  • Provide proof of settlement funds unless you have a valid Canadian job offer.

The Six Selection Factors are directly tied to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) eligibility. They are used to assess whether a candidate qualifies to enter the Express Entry pool under FSWP.

FSWP Processing Time & Fees

  • Processing Time: 6 months or less (80% of cases).
  • FSWP Application Fees:
    • CAD 950 (Principal applicant)
    • CAD 575 (Right of PR)
    • CAD 1,525 (Spouse)
    • CAD 260 (per dependent child)

CRS Score For FSWP – How It’s Calculated

The 67-points grid is a critical factor for CRS Score in FSWP to assess whether an applicant qualifies to enter the Express Entry pool. Achieving 67 points doesn’t guarantee permanent residency, but it qualifies you to create an Express Entry profile where you’ll be ranked using the CRS Score.

Your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is based on:

  • Core human capital: age, education, language (IELTS/CELPIP), work experience.
  • Spouse/adaptation factors
  • Skill Transferability: e.g., strong language + foreign work experience
  • Extra points: e.g., 600 for PNP, 50–200 for job offers

CRS tip: Complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to get maximum points for education.

provinces for mathematicians in canada

High-Demand Occupations Under FSWP 

Here are the listed occupations that fall under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) for Canada immigration, along with the average salaries in 2025 for Canadian provinces. Most of these occupations fall under TEER categories 0 and 1.

provinces for mathematicians in canada

Software Developers: Median hourly rates around CAD 46 and annual incomes averaging ~$75k.

Registered Nurses: Salaries typically range from $29 to $51/hour or approximately $80–90k/year.

Financial Managers: Median pay near CAD 80k, with top-tier positions offering up to CAD 160k.

Accountants: Salaries around CAD 65k; rates vary from ~$24–66/hour.

Industrial Electricians: Earning approximately CAD 38/hour (~CAD 65k/year).

Marketing Professionals: General salaries near CAD 57k, while growth marketers earn ~$87k.

These roles align with national labor shortages and provincial priorities.

Express Entry Draw For FSWP 

On February 2, 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducted a targeted Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) draw #240. A total of 3,300 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) were issued, with the lowest CRS score at 489. 

FSWP vs. Other Express Entry Streams

Feature FSWP CEC (Canadian Exp.) FSTP (Skilled Trades)
Canadian Experience Not Required 1 year required 2 years in skilled trades
Language Requirement CLB 7+ CLB 7 (NOC 0/1) CLB 5 (others) CLB 5 (speaking/listening), CLB 4 (reading/writing)
Job Offer Required Not mandatory Not required Optional but helpful

Final Thoughts: Should You Choose FSWP?

If you're a skilled worker with solid education, English/French proficiency, and relevant work experience—even without any Canadian background—FSWP is one of your best paths to immigrate to Canada.

FSWP-specific draws are no longer being held independently under Express Entry. Instead, skilled workers are now selected through broader general draws, category-based draws (such as healthcare, STEM, transport, and French proficiency), or through Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. 

F.A.Q.
What are the six selection factors for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

To qualify, you must score at least <strong>67 out of 100 points</strong> across these <strong>six selection factors</strong>:
<div class="table-responsive">
<table class="table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Selection Factor</strong></td>
<td><strong>Maximum Points</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Language Proficiency (IELTS/CELPIP)</td>
<td>28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Education (ECA required)</td>
<td>25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Work Experience</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Age</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arranged Employment in Canada</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Adaptability (Spouse's language, study/work in Canada, etc.)</td>
<td>10</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
How much minimum CRS score is needed to apply under FSWP Express Entry?

There is <strong>no fixed minimum CRS score</strong> to apply under FSWP. However:
<ul>
<li>You must score <strong>67+ points</strong> on the selection factors to qualify.</li>
<li>You can <strong>create an Express Entry profile</strong> regardless of CRS score.</li>
<li>To receive an <strong>Invitation to Apply (ITA)</strong>, your <strong>CRS score</strong> should ideally be <strong>above the cutoff</strong> in the latest Express Entry draw (typically <strong>480+</strong> for general rounds as of 2025).</li>
</ul>
How much does it cost to apply for FSWP?

Here&rsquo;s a breakdown of the <strong>2025 costs</strong> for a single applicant:
<div class="table-responsive">
<table class="table">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Expense Category</strong></td>
<td><strong>Amount (CAD)</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)</td>
<td>$200–$300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Language Test (IELTS/CELPIP)</td>
<td>~$300</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Express Entry Application Fee</td>
<td>$1,575</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Right of Permanent Residence Fee</td>
<td>$515</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Biometrics</td>
<td>$85</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Medical Exam</td>
<td>~$200</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Police Clearance Certificates</td>
<td>Varies</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total (approx.)</strong></td>
<td><strong>$2,800–$3,200</strong></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
How much work experience is needed to apply under FSWP?

You need:
<ul>
<li><strong>At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of continuous full-time paid work experience</strong> (or equivalent part-time) within the <strong>last 10 years</strong></li>
<li>The work must be in an eligible <strong>NOC under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The experience must match the <strong>primary NOC code</strong> you choose</p>