All About Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program

The federal skilled worker program is an initiative for skilled employees who possess foreign work experience and wish to immigrate to Canada. Canada’s federal skilled worker program is the flagship immigration plan via which the country welcomes thousands of skilled immigrants every year. However, the opportunities are based on the applicants’ abilities to find work in Canada. Candidates can submit their applications along with their partners/spouses and dependent children

How does the Canada federal skilled worker program function? 

The federal skilled worker program requires applicants to have work experience, a decent educational background, and language abilities. You will have to fulfill the criteria to be eligible. 

Federal Skilled Worker Program – Factors for Selection

The federal skilled worker program has several factors for selection. Once a candidate meets the minimum criteria, the application is assessed based on the following: 

• Education
• Age
• Availability of a job offer
• Work experience 
• French and English language skills 
• Adaptability 

These factors are calculated in a range of 100 points to determine program eligibility. You will earn specific points for performance in each of these six factors. The pass marks are presently at 67 points. Your profile will be ranked once you are in the pool of Express Entry. The highest-ranked candidates will be chosen from this pool and invited to apply for permanent residency. 

Canada federal skilled worker program – Minimum requirements 

Work experience:

You should have worked at one of the following NOC (National Occupational Classification) job categories: 

• Skill type 0 or managerial positions 
• Skill type A or professional jobs 
• Skill type B or technical jobs 

You should demonstrate your duties mentioned in the lead statement of the NOC occupational description while working with the previous employer. This  includes all main and additional duties.

Here are the criteria for skilled work experience: 

• You should have experience in the same kind of job (have the same NOC) as the job you wish to apply for.
• The last job should have been in the last 10 years.
• It should be paid work.
• You should have done at least a year of continuous work, i.e. 1,560 hours a year or 30 hours per week for 12 months. It can also be 15 hours per week for 24 months
• You can work multiple part-time jobs to complete the hours required.
• Hours above the count of 30 hours per week are not calculated.
• Experience gained while studying may only count if the work was continuous and paid for. It should also meet other program requirements. 

Language requirements:

• You should appear for a language test in French/English for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. 
• You should at least get a CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) of 7 in all four segments. 
• You should include the results of the test in your Express Entry profile. 

Language test results generally have a validity of two years. They should remain valid on the day of your application for permanent residence in Canada. 

Educational requirements:

You should have a certificate, degree, or diploma from a Canadian institution. If you possess foreign education, you should complete the ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) for immigration. This indicates the equivalence of your qualifications with that of the Canadian education system.

Proof of Funds:

You should provide proof of funds sufficient for supporting yourself and your family in the new country. However, exceptions may be made if you already have a job offer from a Canadian employer or can get employment in the country. 

You can obtain entry under the federal skilled worker program in many different ways. You’ll have to reside outside the Quebec province since it chooses its workers independently. You will be asked about your plans to settle down in Canada and your chosen place to reside. Provincial nominees must settle in the territory or province that nominated them.