The Government of Canada offers over 100 distinct immigration routes for skilled workers looking to obtain a Canadian permanent residency visa. 

However, the systems that they offer have the reputation for being tedious and have left many with little faith in obtaining their permanent residency. 

In January 2015, the Government of Canada publicly announced that individuals who are looking to immigrate to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), will be able to qualify for the Express Entry Immigration system. 

The system works to provide immigrants with permanent Canadian residency through an electronic system that manages the applications of skilled professionals seeking to grow roots on Canadian soil. 

If you are a skilled worker looking to call Canada your new home, consider the route of Express Entry. 

What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

In 1967, Canada established the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), which functioned as an immigration system that selected skilled workers on the basis of determining whether the applicant could integrate into the Canadian labour market.

However, this system was fairly flawed and possessed a problematic approach. 

The Government of Canada soon recognized the issues that the FSWP possessed, and chose to remove the subjective criteria that it once embodied. 

As a result, they decided to apply objective criteria to evaluate all candidates in the same way by assessing one’s age, education, language abilities, job experience, current occupation and more. 

This system has since further developed to be more inclusive, and Canada has opened its doors to hundreds of thousands of immigrants under the FSWP system since. 

The FSWP is managed through the Express Entry application system, which is an electronic system that works to manage skilled workers’ applications to become permanent residents of Canada. 

After an interested applicant provides an online profile, the Government of Canada assesses if the candidate is eligible for an Express Entry system.

The Government of Canada then selects the highest-scoring candidates from the Express Entry application pool and extends an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency within Canada. 

What is a Federal Skilled Worker?

Federal Skilled Workers are individuals recognized by the Government of Canada as those with appropriate education, job experience, age, and language ability in one of Canada’s official languages. 

Based on these characteristics, they are then considered to be a permanent resident of Canada through the Express Entry system. 

One is deemed a skilled worker under the Government of Canada based on their job experiences and abilities. 

Requirements of Applying 

Potential applicants must fulfil the following requirements to be admitted to the Express Entry Pool as a Federal Skilled Worker:

• Skilled Work Experience

Skilled work experience is categorized as having worked in one of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups:

• Jobs in management (skill type 0)
• Professional positions (skill level A)
• Technical and skilled trades jobs (skill level B)

Employment is categorized as having one year of continuous full-time paid work experience or the equivalent of part-time continuous employment in one of the 347 qualified occupations listed in the NOC. 

• Language Ability

For the language component of the application process, the applicant must take an approved language test in either English or French that assesses their: 

• Writing 
• Reading
• Listening
• Speaking
• Education

If the applicant attended an educational institution in Canada, they must provide the following in their application: 

• Certificate or Diploma from Secondary institution (high school) or
• Certificate or Diploma from a Post-secondary institution

If the applicant attended an educational institution abroad, they must provide the following in their application: 

• Proof of completed credential and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes showing that your education is equal to a completed certificate 
• Funding – A large part of the application process is proving that the applicant has sufficient funds for themselves and their family to settle permanently in Canada.

Ultimately, they are required to show that they: 

• Are currently able to legally work in Canada
• Have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

Application Process & Selection Factors 

The application process is based on a 100-point grid system used to determine eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. 

The Government of Canada recognizes individuals as skilled workers based on the following criteria: 

• Age
• Education
• Work experience
• Whether you have a valid job offer
• English and/or French language skills 
• How well you’re likely to settle here 

When applying, applicants will gain points based on how well they perform in each of the six areas. 

The current pass score is 67.

Based on the previously stated selection factors, the point system is broken down into the following point system: 

Education: Maximum of 25 points

Language: Minimum of 16 points and maximum of 28 points

Employment: Minimum of 9 points and maximum of 15 points

Age: Maximum of 12 points 

Arranged Employment: 0 or 10 points

Adaptability: Maximum of 10 points 

Next Steps

Once you have successfully completed the application process, the Government of Canada will assess your eligibility. 

However, there is no need to wait. 

At Starleaf Immigration & Consulting Inc, our Immigration Team works to provide you with resources and insights into turning your Canadian dream into a reality. 

If you are interested in learning more about the FSWP through Express Entry, visit our website to book your Free Call Back and speak with a member of our team. 

Call Canada home, with Starleaf Immigration & Consulting Inc.