Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)

Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of three streams managed through Canada's Express Entry system. It targets skilled foreign nationals who have at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.

How Express Entry Works

Candidates who meet the minimum FSW criteria create an online profile in the Express Entry pool. Each candidate receives a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on core human capital factors — age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience — as well as spousal factors, skills transferability, and bonus points for a valid job offer or provincial nomination.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) holds regular draws from the pool, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence via an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Category-based draws targeting specific occupations (healthcare, STEM, trades, transport, agriculture, French language) were introduced in 2023 and run alongside general draws.

FSW 67-Point Grid

Before entering the pool, FSW candidates must score at least 67 out of 100 on a separate six-factor grid covering: Education (25), Language skills (28), Work experience (15), Age (12), Arranged employment (10), and Adaptability (10).

Once an ITA is received, applicants have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application. Processing is typically completed within 6 months of receiving the ITA.