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.

First Official Language (Maximum 24 Points)
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
Second Official Language (Maximum 4 Points)
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.

investor visa program
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:

  • living in Canada
  • 18 years or older and
  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

This relative must be a:

  • parent
  • grandparent
  • child
  • grandchild
  • your or your spouse’s sibling
  • your or your spouse’s aunt or uncle (by blood or marriage)
  • your or your spouse’s niece or nephew
 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:

  • living in Canada
  • 18 years or older and
  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

This relative must be a:

  • parent
  • grandparent
  • child
  • grandchild
  • your or your spouse’s sibling
  • your or your spouse’s aunt or uncle (by blood or marriage)
  • your or your spouse’s niece or nephew
 5

To be eligible for a permanent resident visa under the FSWP, applicants must meet the minimum number of points required of a skilled worker. This is currently 67 points out of 100 points.

Try our free eligibility calculator