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Canada’s Express Entry Permanent Residency For Skilled Workers

May 7, 2025
12:50 am

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Last Updated On 6 May 2025, 9:59 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

Canada’s Express Entry system is the fastest and most popular pathway for skilled workers to achieve permanent residency (PR).

Among its programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) stands out as the go-to choice for professionals worldwide.

The best thing is that most of the applications are processed within 6 months of submitting all the documents after receiving an invitation to apply in an Express Entry draw.

So let’s dive into the specifics of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), how to check your eligibility, and tips to boost your odds of selection.

What Is Express Entry and Why Choose FSWP?

The Express Entry system by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is a points-based immigration platform designed to attract skilled workers, offering them Canada’s permanent residency.

It manages three main programs:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) – For skilled professionals with foreign work experience.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) – For candidates with Canadian work experience.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) – For skilled tradespeople.

The FSWP is the most accessible for international applicants, allowing candidates inside and outside Canada to apply for PR.

With a standard processing time of 6 months (though delays may occur due to backlogs), it’s a streamlined path to Canadian permanent residency.

Unlike the CEC, FSWP doesn’t require Canadian work experience, making it ideal for global talent.

Many applicants mistakenly focus on their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score without confirming FSWP eligibility points.

This guide ensures you don’t skip the critical step of meeting the minimum 67/100 points required to qualify for FSWP before entering the Express Entry pool.

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must meet minimum requirements and score at least 67 points based on six selection factors.

Below, we break down each requirement and factor to help you assess your eligibility.

Minimum Requirements for FSWP

Skilled Work Experience
- You need at least 1 year of continuous full-time work (or equivalent part-time) within the last 10 years.
- The experience must be in a skilled occupation classified under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
- Your primary occupation (the job you plan to use for your application) must match the NOC job description, including the lead statement and most main duties.
- The work must be paid (volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count).
- How to count hours:
  - Full-time: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1,560 hours.
  - Part-time: E.g., 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1,560 hours.
  - Multiple jobs: Combine hours from multiple jobs to meet the 1,560-hour requirement.
Language Ability
- You must demonstrate proficiency in English or French (Canada’s official languages) across four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Approved tests include:
  - English: IELTS (General Training) or CELPIP.
  - French: TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
- You need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities to qualify for FSWP.
- Higher language scores boost your selection factor points (up to 28).
Education
- If educated in Canada, you need a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary institution.
- If educated abroad, you must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated organization (e.g., WES, ICAS) to confirm your education’s Canadian equivalency.
- The ECA is mandatory for foreign credentials and must be completed before creating your Express Entry profile.

Additional Requirements

Proof of Funds: You must show you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada unless you:

Are legally working in Canada, and
Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
The amount depends on family size as listed below:

Number of family members including principal applicant	Funds you need (CAD)
1	$14,690
2	$18,288
3	$22,483
4	$27,297
5	$30,690
6	$34,917
7	$38,875
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member	$3,958

Admissibility: You must be admissible to Canada, meaning no criminal, security, or medical issues that would bar entry.

Settlement Location: You must plan to live outside Quebec, as Quebec has its own immigration programs (e.g., Quebec Skilled Worker Program).

To qualify for FSWP, you must score at least 67 points based on six factors.

These points are separate from the CRS score used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool.

Use the tables below to calculate your score.

1. Language Skills (Maximum 28 Points)

Language proficiency is critical for FSWP eligibility.

You can earn up to 24 points for your first official language (English or French) and 4 additional points for your second official language.

Minimum Requirement: CLB 7 in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking).
How to Score:
- CLB 7: 4 points per ability (16 points total).
- CLB 9 or higher: 6 points per ability (24 points total).
- Second language (CLB 5+): Up to 4 points.

Example Language Points Table (First Language):

CLB Level	Reading	Writing	Listening	Speaking
CLB 7	4	4	4	4
CLB 8	5	5	5	5
CLB 9+	6	6	6	6

Tip: Take both English and French tests to maximize points if you’re bilingual.

Please refer to the IRCC language equivalency chart for further details.

2. Education (Maximum 25 Points)

Your education level determines your points.

Foreign credentials must be assessed via an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

Education Points Table:

Education Level	Points
High school completion	5
1-year post-secondary diploma	15
2-year degree/diploma/certificate	19
3-year bachelor’s degree or 4-year diploma	21
4-year professional degree (e.g., medicine)	23
Master’s degree	23
Doctoral degree (PhD)	25

Tip: Ensure your ECA is from a designated organization like World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS).

3. Work Experience (Maximum 15 Points)

You earn points based on years of skilled work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations.

Work Experience Points Table:

Years of Experience	Points
1 year	9
2–3 years	11
4–5 years	13
6+ years	15

Key Advantage: FSWP counts experience gained:

While studying (in Canada or abroad).
As a self-employed professional.
During student work (if paid and skilled).

Tip: Use the NOC 2021 tool to confirm your occupation’s TEER category.

4. Age (Maximum 12 Points)

Your age on the day you submit your Express Entry profile determines your points.

Scores decrease after age 35.

Age Points Table:

Age	Points
Under 18	0
18–35	12
36	11
37	10
38	9
39	8
40	7
41	6
42	5
43	4
44	3
45	2
46	1
47+	0

Tip: Apply before age 35 to maximize points, as scores drop significantly after 40.

5. Arranged Employment (Maximum 10 Points)

A valid job offer from a Canadian employer earns you 10 points.

The job offer must:

Be full-time (30+ hours/week).
Last at least 1 year.
Be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
Not be seasonal.

Tip: Read IRCC’s valid job offer guide to ensure your offer meets requirements.

6. Adaptability (Maximum 10 Points)

Adaptability points reward factors that increase your likelihood of settling successfully in Canada.

Adaptability Points Table:

Factor	Points
Spouse/partner’s language level (CLB 4+)	5
Previous study in Canada (2+ years)	5
Previous work in Canada (1+ year, TEER 0–3)	10
Arranged employment (in addition to above)	5
Relatives in Canada (parent, sibling, etc.)	5

Tip: Maximize adaptability points by including a spouse’s language test results or leveraging Canadian education/work experience.

To determine if you qualify:

Assess your language test results (CLB 7 minimum).
Get an ECA for foreign education.
Confirm your work experience is in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Use the tables above to calculate your 67-point score across the six factors.

Example Calculation:

Profile: 30-year-old software engineer, bachelor’s degree, 3 years of experience, IELTS CLB 8, no job offer, no adaptability factors.
Points:
- Language: 20 (CLB 8 = 5 per ability x 4).
- Education: 21 (bachelor’s degree).
- Work Experience: 11 (2–3 years).
- Age: 12 (30 years old).
- Arranged Employment: 0.
- Adaptability: 0.
- Total: 64 (ineligible unless additional points are earned, e.g., via a job offer or second language).

Tip: Use IRCC’s Come to Canada tool to estimate your score.

Once you confirm eligibility, follow these steps to apply:

Gather Documents:
- Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF).
- ECA report for foreign education.
- Work experience letters (detailing duties, hours, and TEER level).
- Proof of funds (bank statements, if required).
- Passport and other identity documents.
Create an Express Entry Profile:
- Submit your profile online via the IRCC portal.
- Enter details about your education, work experience, language skills, and more.
- Your profile is assigned a CRS score (out of 1,200) based on factors like age, education, language, and Canadian experience.
Enter the Express Entry Pool:
- Your profile is ranked against others in the pool.
- IRCC conducts rounds of invitations (typically biweekly) to issue Invitations to Apply (ITA) to the highest-scoring candidates.
Receive an ITA and Apply for PR:
- If invited, you have 60 days to submit a complete PR application, including police certificates, medical exams, and additional documents.
- IRCC reviews your application, aiming for a 6–12 month processing time.
After Approval:
- Receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
- Land in Canada as a permanent resident and begin your new life!

While a 67-point FSWP score qualifies you for the Express Entry pool, a high CRS score increases your chances of receiving an ITA.

Here’s how to improve your CRS score:

Improve Language Scores:
- Aim for CLB 9 or higher in English/French.
- Take a second language test to earn additional points.
Gain More Work Experience:
- Additional years of skilled work experience add CRS points.
- Canadian work experience (via a work permit) earns significant points.
Pursue Higher Education:
- A master’s or PhD boosts both FSWP and CRS scores.
Secure a Job Offer:
- A valid job offer in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation used to earn an additional 50–200 CRS points, but it is no longer the case. However, a job offer might help you score a provincial nomination.
Apply with a Spouse:
- Optimize your spouse’s language scores or education to gain extra points.
- Alternatively, apply as the principal applicant if your spouse has a higher CRS score.
Consider Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
- A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an ITA.
- Research PNPs aligned with your occupation (e.g., Ontario’s Human Capital Priorities Stream).

Current CRS Cut-Offs (2025): Recent draws have required 470–500 points for FSWP candidates.

Check IRCC’s rounds of invitations for the latest trends.

Skipping Eligibility Checks:
- Don’t calculate your CRS score without confirming you meet the 67-point FSWP threshold.
Incomplete Documents:
- Ensure your ECA, language tests, and work experience letters are ready before creating your profile.
Misclassifying Occupations:
- Verify your job’s NOC code and TEER level using IRCC’s tools to avoid rejection.
Ignoring Proof of Funds:
- Provide accurate financial documents unless exempt (e.g., with a valid job offer).
Delaying Application:
- Submit your profile early, as CRS scores drop with age.

Canada’s aging population and low birth rate create a high demand for skilled immigrants.

The Express Entry system targets professionals in fields like:

Technology: Software developers, IT managers.

Healthcare: Nurses, doctors, pharmacists.

Engineering: Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers.

Business: Financial analysts, marketing managers.

In 2025, Canada aims to welcome 395,000 new permanent residents, with Express Entry playing a key role.

By choosing FSWP, you’re contributing to Canada’s economy while building a future in a country known for its quality of life, safety, and opportunities.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program under Express Entry is your gateway to permanent residency in Canada.

By meeting the 67-point eligibility threshold and optimizing your CRS score, you can join thousands of skilled professionals thriving in Canada.

Follow the steps outlined, avoid common pitfalls, and leverage tips to stand out in the Express Entry pool.

Ready to take the first step?

Visit the official IRCC website to create your profile, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest immigration updates.

Your Canadian dream is closer than you think, but you need to work towards it.

Is it easy to get PR in Canada through express entry?

Yes, it’s fairly simple to pass through Express entry if you’re under 30 and have a master’s degree, three years of work experience, and an 8 band IELTS score.

Who is eligible for FSWP?

The following requirements must be fulfilled by candidates in order to be eligible for the FSWP:

A minimum of one year of consistent, full-time, skilled job experience.
Proficiency in either French or English (CLB 7 or above).
A minimal degree of education equal to a Canadian high school diploma.

How long does Express Entry FSWP take?

IRCC’s standard processing time is 6–12 months, but backlogs may extend this.

Can I apply if I’m over 40?

Yes, but you’ll score fewer age points. Maximize other factors like language or education to compensate.

Do I need a job offer for FSWP?

No, a job offer is optional but adds 10 FSWP points and assist in securing provincial nomination.

Can I include my family?

Yes, your spouse and dependent children can be included in your PR application.

What if I score below 67 points?

You’re ineligible for FSWP. Consider improving your language scores, gaining more experience, or exploring other programs like CEC or PNPs.

Purnima Mann

Purnima Mann, a news writer passionate about delivering insightful and well-researched articles. From current affairs to finance and culture , I aim to inform, engage, and spark meaningful discussions. Stay informed and explore new perspectives with me.