Canada established the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in 1967 to select immigrants from all over the world.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) was the primary route for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada between its inception in 1967 and the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Following a temporary hiatus that began in December 2020, the Express Entry invitation rounds for FSWP applicants will resume in July. Furthermore, the typical processing time for new applications is expected to return to six months.
Individuals can qualify for the FSWP even if they have no Canadian experience or a job offer.
FSWP candidates receive a Comprehensive Ranking System score as part of a programme administered by the Express Entry system (CRS). Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) hold Express Entry draws every two weeks, inviting the applicants with the highest scores to apply for Canadian immigration.
The following are the steps involved in applying for Canadian immigration through the FSWP:
Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirements for the FSWP.
Applicants must meet the minimum requirements for job experience, language proficiency, and education to be eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. You must also score at least 67 on the program’s 100-point grid.
The following are the bare minimums:
During the previous ten years, one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid job experience in a speciality area defined as National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B;
Validated language proficiency in all four language skills comparable to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in English or French (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
Foreign credential with ECA report or Canadian educational certification (certificate, diploma, or degree).
Candidates for the FSWP must score a minimum of 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
Filling Your Express Entry Profile
To create a secure IRCC account, follow the steps outlined on the government website. The online application will prompt you to create an Express Entry profile, provide your personal information, and enter your personal reference code if you have one.
If you do not complete and submit your Express Entry profile within sixty days, you will be compelled to start the process over.
You may submit your profile after it has been completed, and IRCC will determine your Express Entry programme eligibility.
If you meet the FSWP requirements, IRCC will add you to the Express Entry pool alongside other qualified applicants. A score will be assigned to you based on your work experience, education, age and language proficiency.
Look for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence
Completing an online Express Entry profile does not guarantee that you will be requested to submit an application for permanent residence. For each Express Entry draw, you must have a score that meets or surpasses the minimum requirements.
Filling out an online Express Entry profile does not guarantee that you will be asked to submit a permanent residency application. For each Express Entry draw, you must have a score that meets or surpasses the minimum requirements.
Submit an Immigration Application if You Receive an ITA
If you obtain an ITA, IRCC will send you a letter outlining the programme for which you have been selected as well as the next steps to take. Candidates are encouraged to apply to one of the Express Entry-managed programmes in this order: Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and finally Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) (FSTP).
The IRCC will require proof of the information you provided in your Express Entry profile. If the information you provided on your application differs from your profile, immigration officers will investigate. They may deny your application, declare you inadmissible, or bar you from applying for immigration for five years if they find erroneous or missing information.
Examine the program’s standards to make sure you’re still qualified for the programme you’ve been requested to apply for, according to IRCC. If your personal circumstances change, you may need to recalculate your score before submitting an application. If your recalculated score is lower than the CRS cut-off for your round of invites, IRCC recommends declining the invitation.
If you decline an invitation, you will be returned to the Express Entry candidate pool and may be considered for future invitation rounds if you remain eligible. It makes no difference whether you are invited to apply again in the future. Although there is no guarantee that you will be asked to reapply, you can improve your chances by amending your Express Entry profile or achieving a higher CRS score.
If you do not respond within 60 days, your profile will be removed from consideration by IRCC. You must create a new Express Entry profile to be eligible for future draws.
Other Immigration Pathways
The PNP is another key immigration programme. Over the next three years, Canada intends to admit moreover 80,000 PNP applicants as permanent residents, according to the Immigration Levels Plan 2022-2024. In addition, every two weeks, IRCC holds PNP Express Entry drawings.
If you are already in the Express Entry pool, you may be asked to apply for a provincial nomination. Your score will be enhanced by 600 points if you are nominated, and you will be entitled to apply for immigration as a PNP candidate.
Summary
The FSWP has been a prominent way of luring immigrants to Canada since 1967. Despite the fact that the FSWP has been hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, World Education Services polls show that there is still a lot of interest in moving to Canada.
The IRCC’s Express Entry backlog has been reduced, and Canada’s borders have been reopened. The FSWP will become a crucial instrument for luring more talented immigrants to Canada when Express Entry draws begin in July.
Useful Resources and Links
- Express Entry Profile: IRCC Official Website
- Language Testing Information: [IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada]
- Credential Assessment Services: [WES, ICAS, CES]
