How to Apply for a Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program

Several opportunities can be explored to gain access to Canada, especially if you have a needed skill set and stand a better chance of being employed.

The government provided a medium for entry to allow skilled workers to find a place in Canada. That is through the Federal Skilled Worker Program. You will find the basic requirements and the eligibility status to apply for this program in this article.

What is the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program (CFSWP)?

This program is a subsidiary of the Express Entry Program, which was initiated by the government of Canada to provide entry to immigrants who have met the required status and are now worthy of being contained within the country. The Express Entry Program consists of three immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Trader Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

The CFSWP is designed for skilled workers whose occupations are found in the National Occupational Classification of Classification. This becomes the first prerequisite to look out for when applying to Canada through this means.

If the immigrant’s occupation is not found within this National Occupational Classification, he/she may need to look for other skills that can be explored and found within the classification.

However, it is unusual not to find one’s occupation within the NOC. Just to be safe, it is better to first look out for this when migrating under the FSW Program.

With the CFSWP, there is no need for a job offer or previous work experience in Canada. This makes it more conducive for skilled foreign immigrants.

How to be Eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program requires that you meet the following conditions:

Skilled Experience

Before applying, you must have gotten at least 1 year of practical experience with the skill you wish to apply through. This implies that you cannot apply a certain skill without experience.

While you need a skill, it is also important to note that you need to have a skill that is recognized by the government of Canada. There are standards of employability in Canada, especially for Immigrants. Failure to adhere to this may only lead to loss at your end. Canada has a table of codes that represents each permissible job. Go through the table to ascertain if your skill qualifies within the standards.

Language Proficiency

In Canada, there are two commonly spoken languages. They are French and English. You must be proficient in at least one while maintaining an average for the other if you intend to work in Canada under the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program.

In all provinces of Canada except Quebec, English is the primary adopted language. Your knowledge of the language must be demonstrated through one of the following testing systems: the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Pearson Test of English Core (PTE Core), or the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).

This test will encompass Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The average score required for application is CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark)

Test de connaissance du français (TCF) and Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) are the two recognised proficiency tests to be taken for French assessment while applying to the FSW Program. As with the English Assessment, this test will encompass Writing, Reading, Speaking, and Listening. And the minimum grade required for eligibility is NCLC 5 (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien).

Education

If you studied at one point in Canada, you stand a better chance. However, if you are an immigrant, ensure that the secondary or post-secondary school you attended is equivalent to its corresponding Canadian diploma or degree program.

The cumulative points of both the secondary and post-secondary school can significantly increase your chances of success at application. Also, the course of study at the university must relate to the skill you wish to apply.

Age

Canada’s door is open to global markets because one finds the keys to economic stability in them. However, youthfulness is a virtue. Immigrants above 50 get a 0 point, while others within the age range of 18 – 35 get 12 points.

So, the younger you are, the better.

Entry Points

This refers to the cumulative points of one’s educational history, work experience, education, language proficiency, adaptability, job offer (if any), and age. Here is the breakdown of the points:

• Adaptability – 10 points

• Canadian Job Offer – 10 points

• Age – 12 points

• Work Experience – 15 points

• Language Proficiency – 28 points

• Education – 25 points

An immigrant is expected to have an average of 67 points to qualify to apply for any Express Entry program, in this case, the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Step-by-Step Process of Application

After you have been assessed and found to pass the average by the express entry program’s grid points, you can apply. Here is the step-by-step process for applying:

1. Visit the IRS’s Website

To apply, the first step is to visit Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and create an Express Entry profile.

You will need information from the following documents for a successful application, so get them ready:

• Travel Document
• Proof of Canadian Education or its equivalent
• Job Offer Document (if any)
• Proof of funds

2. Submit your Application

After you have filled in the necessary details, submit your profile to the express entry pool, where it will be reviewed for further scrutiny. The time between submission and receiving a response may take up to six months.

While you await a response, ensure your documents are current. If they expire within the set of waiting, renew them.

3. Invitation To Apply

If you get a high CRS score, you are likely to be drawn out of the pool by IRCC. This is to the end of being invited to apply. It involves submitting all necessary documents, which will make entry into the FSW Program possible and grant immigrants the chance to obtain Permanent Residence.

CRS Points

CRS stands for Comprehensive Ranking System. This system was designed to assess your eligibility based on the following criteria: Education, Age, Language Proficiency, and Work Experience.

It has a total score of 1,200 points. It is advisable to have an average of at least 600 points to be eligible to apply. However, this depends on the occupation through which you apply. While some may require more, others may require less. However, the higher your CRS Points, the better your chances of your application meeting a positive response.

4. Move to Canada

After all registration processes with IRCC have been completed, you can move to Canada to have your application processed.

Conclusion

The Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program is for workers with recognizable skills. Therefore, if you desire to obtain foreign experience, it is an opportunity that can be utilized to achieve your professional goal. However, it is important to meet the requirements before embarking on such a journey, as it is stressful and money-demanding.

Congratulations on breaking your new professional grounds if you meet the requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions