Know About Express Entry PR For Federal Skilled Workers

Last Updated On 2 March 2023, 9:50 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Express Entry system is the most common and fastest way of getting permanent residency in Canada.

IRCC processing standard is 6 months for applications under Express Entry system; although, it is taking longer now-a-days because of backlog due to pandemic.

Most common program under Express Entry system is Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

It allows eligible candidate inside and outside Canada to pitch their profile for permanent residency.

However, we see a lot of Canada aspirants who make a mistake of not checking the basic eligibility for Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Rather, they directly calculate the comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score without knowing if they even qualify for FSWP or not.

To be eligible for FSWP, applicants need to first check whether their profile score 67/100 points or not.

If your score is either 67 or above, then you are eligible to create an Express Entry profile irrespective of low or high CRS score.

These points are calculated based on following six selection factors:

1. Language

The applicant must be proficient in Canada’s any of the two official languages, English and French. The proficiency is evaluated on the ability to Read, Write, Listen and Speak the language(s) fluently.

You must meet a minimum of 16 points threshold to qualify for FSWP. Furthermore, you can score higher up to maximum of 24 points based on your English or French proficiency as per below table:

Click here for language (English & French) equivalency chart.

2. Education

Your education level can get you maximum of 25 points. These points are awarded as per your highest level of education.

If education done outside, then you need to have your education credentials assessed to determine what your education level will be equivalent to study in Canada.

This should be done from one of the designated institutions for immigration purpose.

Education Level	Points
Grade 12 (high school completion)	5
1-year diploma	15
Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program	19
3-year Bachelor’s degree or other programs/ 4-year Advanced Diploma	21
4-year Professional degree required to practice in a licensed profession	23
Doctorate or Phd	25

3. Work Experience

For eligibility under FSWP, you must have at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time work experience.

This experience should only be skill level 0, A, or B (as per NOC 2016) “OR” TEER1, TEER2, or TEER3 (as per NOC 2021).

Applicants can score maximum of 15 points based on years of work experience you have.

Important advantage of FSWP over Canadian Experience Class(CEC) is that you can count your experience if it was: while working as a student

• in Canada or abroad
• while you were studying
• while being self-employed

4. Age

Third selection factor is age and at maximum you can earn 12 points. Scores start decreasing after the age of 35.

5. Arranged Employment in Canada

You can get 10 points, if you have a full-time valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

A valid job offer means it should be full-time paid work for at least 1 year (at least 30 hours per week) and it should not be seasonal work.

Apart from this, the job offer should be in skill level 0, A, or B (as per NOC 2016) “OR” TEER1, TEER2, or TEER3 (as per NOC 2021).

For better understanding, you can read out article Understanding A Valid Job Offer For Canada Express Entry!

6. Adaptability

Maximum of 10 points can be earned for adaptability. There are different scenarios mentioned below, depending on your situation you may score 5-10 points.

So, these are the six selection factors based on which you should score at least 67 points to be eligible for Express Entry Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

Please note that you should have IELTS or CELPIP or TCF or TEF results, Education Credential Assessment (ECA), and work experience in hand before creating your Express Entry profile.

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