The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) was developed as a part of Canada’s immigration strategy, wherein permanent residents are selected based on their ability to become economically established in Canada.
Applicants who wish to come to Canada under the Federal Skilled Workers Program must meet the Program’s minimum requirements. Applicants are reviewed against the following six selection factors:
i. Work Experience
Maximum 15 Points
You can get points for the number of years you have spent doing full-time paid work (at least 30 hours per week, or an equal amount of part-time [15 hours per week for 24 months]) at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2016 National Occupational Classification.

Experience | Maximum 15 Points |
1 year | 9 |
2-3 years | 11 |
4-5 years | 13 |
6 or more years | 15 |
ii. Education
Maximum 25 Points
You must have a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian institution If you went to school in Canada, however if you have foreign education, you must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization showing that your education is equal to education obtained in Canada.
Education | Points |
Doctoral (PHD) level or equivalent | 25 |
University degree at master’s level or entry -to practice professional degree | 23 |
Two or more Canadian post secondary degree or diploma or its equivalent (at least one must be for a program of at least three years) | 22 |
Canadian post secondary degree or diploma for a program of three years or longer or its equivalent | 21 |
Canadian post secondary degree or diploma for a program of two-years or its equivalent | 19 |
Canadian post secondary degree or diploma for a program of one year or its equivalent | 15 |
Canadian high school diploma or its equivalent | 5 |
iii. Language Proficiency
Maximum 28 Points
There is a mandatory language requirement of English language or French and in some cases a combination of both languages to achieve a maximum of 28 points. Language proficiency examinations such as IELTS and CELPIP for English and TEF for French.
You must get a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 for 1 official language in all 4 language areas. To get points for the second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all 4 language areas.

CLB LEVEL | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
CLB level 9 or higher | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
CLB level 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
CLB level 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Below CLB level 7 | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply |
At least CLB 5 in all 4 abilities | 4 |
CLB 4 or less in any of the 4 abilities | 0 |
You can get 4 points only if you have a score of at least CLB 5 in each of the 4 language abilities.
iv. Age
Maximum 12 points
You will be appointed points based on your age on the day you submit your application.
Age | Points |
Under 18 | 0 |
18-35 | 12 |
36 | 11 |
37 | 10 |
38 | 9 |
39 | 8 |
40 | 7 |
41 | 6 |
42 | 5 |
43 | 4 |
44 | 3 |
45 | 2 |
46 | 1 |
47 and older | 0 |
v. Arranged employment
Maximum 10 Points
Canada allocates additional points to candidates who have been offered a valid and full-time job offer. Applicants can get points if they have a job offer for continuous, paid, full-time work (minimum of 30 hours/week) in an occupation listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC for at least 1 year from a Canadian employer. This is considered as being self-sufficient by the government.

Adaptability | Points |
Your spouse or partner’s language level
Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all 4 language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). |
5 |
Your past studies in Canada
You completed at least 2 academic years of full-time study of at least 15 hours of classes per week (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. |
5 |
Your spouse or partner’s past studies in Canada
Your spouse or common-law partner completed at least 2 academic years of full-time study (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. |
5 |
Your past work in Canada
You did at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada: In a job listed in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). And, with a valid work permit, or while authorized to work in Canada. |
10 |
Your spouse or common-law partner’s past work in Canada
Your spouse or partner did at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada. |
5 |
Arranged employment in Canada
You earned points for having arranged employment. |
5 |
Relatives in Canada
You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is:
This relative must be a:
|
5 |
vi. Adaptability
Maximum 10 points
A maximum of 10 points is allocated depending on the circumstances of each applicant. You and your spouse may combine any of the elements below. These elements assess how well you and your spouse are likely to settle in Canada.
Adaptability | Points |
Your spouse or partner’s language level
Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all 4 language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). |
5 |
Your past studies in Canada
You completed at least 2 academic years of full-time study of at least 15 hours of classes per week (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. |
5 |
Your spouse or partner’s past studies in Canada
Your spouse or common-law partner completed at least 2 academic years of full-time study (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. |
5 |
Your past work in Canada
You did at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada: In a job listed in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). And, with a valid work permit, or while authorized to work in Canada. |
10 |
Your spouse or common-law partner’s past work in Canada
Your spouse or partner did at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada. |
5 |
Arranged employment in Canada
You earned points for having arranged employment. |
5 |
Relatives in Canada
You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is:
This relative must be a:
|
5 |