The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is the most common and traditional immigration program in Canada that intends to attract and select skilled individuals from all over the world to come and make Canada as their new home. The program is designed to address the economic requirements of the country and fill in the gaps in the market.

Since January of 2015, the Federal Skilled Worker Program is now part of this fast-track immigration process called the Express Entry System. Express Entry allows Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to invite candidates to submit application for permanent residence. The Express Entry aims to speed up the process of approving qualified skilled foreign workers to a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada and help meet the labor needs of Canadian industries.

These professionals and skilled workers are chosen as permanent residents based on the minimum requirements that should be met through these selection factors:

• Age
  Your point score will be calculated based on your age on the date your application is received.
  
  
• Education
  If the applicant’s education was completed outside of Canada, he/she will need an Educational Credentials Assessments (ECA) attesting to the value of your education by Canadian standards.
  
  If the applicant’s education was completed inside Canada, he/she must provide a Canadian secondary school certificate, or post-secondary qualification, such as a college diploma or university degree.
  
  
• Work Experience
  At least a minimum of 12 months of full-time skilled work experience or an equivalent amount in part-time experience, under the occupation list of Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) Skills in Level 0, A or B.
  
  If the applicant is a former international student in Canada, his/her work experience gained while studying may count towards the minimum requirements. If the work was paid by wages or commissions and if it was continuous or no employment gaps, then his/her work experience can give an additional points for the application.
  
  
• English and/or French language skills
  Must provide test results from the following language test provider, like the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Test d’evaluation de francais (TEF). Applicants must meet at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 in all components of the langue test.
  
  
• Proof of Funds
  The applicant must provide or show a proof that he/she have enough money for herself/himself and for his/her family to settle in Canada, unless if the applicant is currently able to legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
  
  
• Adaptability
  The main applicant may receive additional points if:
  1. the spouse or partner has achieved CLB 4 in all language components in an approved English or French language test
  2. completed a full-time study of 2 years at Canadian secondary school or post-secondary educated;
  3. have worked in Canada for at least 1 year on valid work permit with a job listed under the Skill Type 0, A or B of Canada’s NOC
  4. the applicant or his/her spouse have one family member, aged 18 that is living in Canada as Canadian Citizen or permanent resident

These six factors will be used to assess the eligibility of the applicant for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The current pass mark is 67 points.

One of the advantages if the applicant choose to apply for Federal Skilled Worker Program is that he/she is not required to have any connection in Canada, as long as the applicant has met the minimum requirements required by the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Take note that the minimum requirement for work experience, language proficiency, and education can all be completed outside of Canada. That is the reason why, this program is an excellent option for those applicants who are living outside of Canada.