Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) 2025 Guide
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is Canada’s primary Express Entry pathway for skilled professionals with foreign work experience who wish to become permanent residents. Managed online through the Express Entry system, it uses a points-based selection grid—covering factors such as education, language ability, work experience and adaptability—and invites top candidates to apply in regular draws. Successful applicants enjoy a streamlined six-month processing target for 80 % of complete files
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the FSW Program, you must meet all of the following minimum requirements:
Skilled work experience
• At least 1 year (1,560 hrs) of continuous, paid, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation within the last 10 years
Language ability
• Pass an approved English or French test (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada) with minimum scores: CLB 7 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
Education
• A Canadian secondary/high-school diploma or post-secondary credential or a foreign credential plus an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
Proof of funds
• Demonstrate enough settlement funds for yourself and dependents, unless you hold a valid Canadian job offer
Selection factor score
• Achieve at least 67 points out of 100 on the FSW selection grid covering six factors (age, education, experience, language, arranged employment and adaptability)
Admissibility & intent
• Be admissible to Canada (no criminal, security or medical barriers) and plan to live outside Quebec, which operates its own skilled-worker programs
How Does the Application Process Work?
1. Check your eligibility
Review FSW requirements on the IRCC site and calculate your 67-point score
2. Gather key documents
-
Passport/travel document
-
Language test results
-
ECA report (if you studied abroad)
-
Reference letters for work experience (duties, hours, NOC codes)
-
Proof of funds
3. Create an Express Entry profile
Sign in to your IRCC secure account, select the FSW program, enter your information and submit—there is no fee for profile submission
4. Enter the candidate pool
Profiles are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
5. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
IRCC holds regular draws—if your CRS score meets the cut-off, you’ll get an ITA valid for 60 days
6. Submit your PR application
Complete the online application, upload required documents, pay fees and click “Submit.”
7. Provide biometrics & medical exam
After submission, you’ll be asked to give biometrics within 30 days and complete a medical exam.
Application Fee and Processing Time
-
IRCC permanent residence fees: CAD 1,525 (processing CAD 950 + right of PR CAD 575) .
-
Biometrics: CAD 85 per person.
-
Target processing: IRCC aims to finalize 80 % of Express Entry PR applications—including FSW—in 6 months
Required Documents
-
Valid Passport -
Education Credential Assessment -
Language Test Results -
Proof of Work Experience -
Endorsement Certificate From an Atlantic Province -
Proof of Settlement Funds
Official Application Page
For detailed information and to start your application process, visit the official;
🔗 Federal Skilled Worker Program – IRCC canada.ca
🔗 Express Entry: Get your documents ready canada.ca
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need a job offer?
No, a valid job offer is not required, but it can earn you up to 10 additional points.
How is my CRS score calculated?
Points are awarded for human-capital factors (up to 600 core points) and additional criteria like job offers, provincial nominations or Canadian degrees (up to 600 additional points).
What if I have less than one year of experience?
You must have at least one continuous year (1,560 hrs) of skilled work; part-time and multiple jobs can be combined.
How long is my profile valid?
Your Express Entry profile stays in the pool for 12 months, after which you can re-submit a new profile.
Can I include my family in my application?
Yes—spouse or common-law partners and dependent children can be included; fees apply per person.
What happens after nomination?
If you receive a provincial nomination under a PNP stream, you get an extra 600 CRS points and a supplemental ITA in a PNP-specific draw.
