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What is Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) stands as one of the key pathways to permanent residency in Canada under the Express Entry system. It offers skilled workers the opportunity to settle and contribute to the Canadian economy based on their work experience, language proficiency, education, and other factors.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for FSWP?

To be eligible for the FSWP, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Minimum 67 Points: Applicants must score a minimum of 67 points under the six selection factors:

Language Skills (maximum 28 points)
Education (maximum 25 points)
Work Experience (maximum 15 points)
Age (maximum 12 points)
Offer of employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)
Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

Work Experience:
Possess at least one year of paid continuous full-time or equivalent part-time skilled work experience in NOC code 0, A, B within the past ten years.
Language Proficiency:
Demonstrate a minimum language ability of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in either IELTS or CELPIP-approved language tests.
Education:
Hold completed education equivalent to Canadian secondary or post-secondary schooling, assessed and certified by an approved Education Credential Assessment (ECA) Report.
Proof of Funds:
Have sufficient funds to settle in Canada, unless applicants have a valid offer of arranged employment in Canada or are currently working or authorized to work in Canada.

Other Factors:
Admissibility to Canada.
Intent to reside outside the province of Quebec upon approval.

What is Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)?

Foreign education credentials need to be evaluated to ensure their validity and equivalence to the Canadian educational system. The following designated organizations provide Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) services:

World Education Services (WES)
Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)
Additionally, professional bodies such as the Medical Council of Canada and the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada offer ECA for physicians and pharmacists respectively.
Applicants should choose the designated organization based on their educational background and specific requirements. Processing time and costs may vary among different organizations.
The FSWP offers skilled individuals an opportunity to make Canada their permanent home, contributing their expertise to the country’s diverse and vibrant workforce.

No, a job offer is not mandatory for the FSWP. However, having a valid Canadian job offer can significantly boost your CRS score by an additional 50 or 200 points, making you more competitive in the pool of applicants.

Your work experience must be relevant to an occupation listed in Canada's National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B. You'll need at least one year of continuous, paid work experience in this NOC level within the last 10 years.

There are several ways to improve your CRS score: Enhance your language skills: Aim for a higher Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score in English or French. Pursue higher education: A Canadian degree or diploma, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign education, can add points. Gain additional skilled work experience: More experience, especially in high-demand NOC categories, can be beneficial. Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Some provinces offer additional points through their PNP streams aligned with FSWP.

While both programs lead to permanent residency, FSWP has a separate pool of applicants and point system. This can be an advantage if your CRS score might not be high enough for the more competitive Express Entry pool. However, FSWP doesn't benefit from potential job offer points or additional points offered by some Provincial Nominee Programs.

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