Federal Skilled Worker Program
For skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
Last verified: March 1, 2026
Eligibility
Selection Criteria
- Minimum 67 out of 100 selection grid pointsPoints awarded for language (max 28), education (max 25), work experience (max 15), age (max 12), arranged employment (max 10), and adaptability (max 10).Source (opens in new tab)
Work Experience
- 1+ year continuous full-time skilled workAt least 1 year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation within the last 10 years.Source (opens in new tab)
Language
- Minimum CLB 7 in all abilitiesMust score at least Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English or French using an approved test.
Education
- Foreign credential must be assessed (ECA)If your education is from outside Canada, you must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) showing it is equivalent to a Canadian credential. Valid for 5 years.Source (opens in new tab)
Funds
- Proof of settlement fundsMust show you have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada. Amount depends on family size. Not required if you have valid Canadian work authorization and a job offer.Source (opens in new tab)
Admissibility
- Must be admissible to CanadaMust pass medical, security, and criminal background checks. Must not have an unresolved removal order.
Required Documents
Identity
- Valid passport or travel documentRequired
- Two passport-sized photosRequired
- Birth certificateRequired
Education
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) reportRequiredSource (opens in new tab)
- Diplomas, degrees, and transcriptsRequired
Language
- IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, TEF Canada, or TCF Canada resultsRequired
Work
- Reference letters from all employers (past 10 years)RequiredSource (opens in new tab)
- Employment contractsOptional
- Pay stubs, T4s, or tax recordsOptional
Other
- Police clearance certificates (from each country lived 6+ months)Required
- Medical exam resultsRequired
- Proof of settlement funds (bank statements)RequiredSource (opens in new tab)
- Marriage certificate or proof of common-law (if applicable)Optional
Compare Programs
| Program | FSW | CEC | FST | AIP | RNIP | SUV | Self-Emp | Spouse | PGP | Child | Other Fam | Study | WP LMIA | OWP | Visitor | Super Visa | Citizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Work experience, language ability, education | Canadian work experience, language ability | Trade qualification, work experience, language ability | Job offer from designated Atlantic employer, work experience | Job offer in participating community, work experience | Letter of support from designated organization, language ability, settlement funds | Relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics, willingness to be self-employed | Canadian citizen or PR, genuine relationship | Meet minimum income requirement, Canadian citizen or PR | Canadian citizen or PR, child meets dependency criteria | No other sponsorable relatives, Canadian citizen or PR | Acceptance letter from DLI, proof of funds, no criminal record | Job offer, positive LMIA, qualifications for the job | Eligibility depends on category (PGWP, spousal, vulnerable worker) | Valid passport, ties to home country, sufficient funds | Child/grandchild in Canada, medical insurance, financial support letter | PR status, physical presence, language ability, tax filing |
| Processing Time | ~7 months | ~7 months | N/A | ~33 months | N/A | 10+ years | 10+ years | ~21 months | ~35 months | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ~14 months |
| Express Entry | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Official Resources
Information on this page is for reference only. Always verify details on the official IRCC website before making immigration decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
FSW applications through Express Entry are generally processed within 6 months of submitting a complete application. Processing begins after you receive and respond to an Invitation to Apply (ITA), which gives you 60 days to submit your full application.
FSW requires a minimum of CLB 7 in all four language abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking). This is a firm minimum for eligibility. You must also score at least 67 out of 100 on the six selection factors, where language can contribute up to 28 points.
Government fees for FSW total approximately $2,025 ($1,365 processing fee + $575 PR fee + $85 biometrics). Additional costs include an Educational Credential Assessment (~$200), language testing (~$320), and medical exam (~$250). Budget approximately $2,800 total per applicant.