Express Entry
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Your pathway to Permanent Residence in Canada and by far the most popular economic immigration program in Canada processed through the Express Entry system.
FSW may be your best option if you’re…
Skilled worker
Collect skilled work experience
You must have at least 12 months of continuous work experience in a skilled occupation (TEER 0, 1, 2, 3) within the past 10 years, obtained in Canada or abroad.
proficient in English or French
Take an approved language test
You must know at least one of Canada’s official languages with CLB/NCLC 5 in Speaking and Listening and CLB/NCLC 4 in Reading and Writing.
Well-Educated
Obtain educational credentials
You must have secondary or post-secondary education in Canada or abroad (and obtain an Educational Credential Assessment)
FSW Eligibility criteria
Score at least 67 out of 100 FSW points
Language - up to 28 points
You can get a maximum of 24 points for your first official language, and additional 4 points for your second official language.
Age - up to 12 points
You will get 12 points if you’re between 18 and 35, and absolutely no points if you’re under 18 or older than 47.
Education - up to 25 points
You get 5 points if you completed high school, 21 points with Bachelor’s degree, 23 with Master’s, and 25 with Doctoral Degree.
Job Offer - up to 10 points
You may get arranged employement points if you have a qualifying job offer (supported by LMIA or LMIA-exempt).
Work Experience - up to 15 points
With one year of skilled work experience you can get 9 points. You’ll receive 15 FSW points with 6 years of work experience.
Adaptability - up to 10 points
You can get extra points for your spouse’s qualifications, previous work or study in Canada, and arranged employement.
What does the Process Look like?
FSW & Express Entry process at a glance.
Federal Skilled Worker program is processed through the Express Entry system. Here is a step-by-step overview of how the FSW and Express Entry process looks like.
Step 1: Check your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker program.
Before advancing in your Canadian immigration journey, ensure you meet the Federal Skilled Worker program's stringent requirements. To qualify, you need at least one year of continuous, full-time, paid work experience abroad, meet the language proficiency minimums, and achieve a score of at least 67 out of 100 on the FSW selection factor grid. Meeting these criteria makes you eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, marking your first step towards potential permanent residency.
Use our FSW calculator below to verify if you’re eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker economic immigration program in Canada.
Step 2: Create an Express Entry Profile
Upon creating your Express Entry profile, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to rank your profile against other eligible candidates in the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score, which can reach up to 1200 points, is determined by factors such as age, educational background, language proficiency in English or French, both foreign and Canadian work experience, marital status, adaptability, and any provincial nominations you may have received.
To better understand how different factors can influence your score, use our CRS calculator below. This tool allows you to estimate your CRS points and explore how changes in various factors might affect your score.
Step 3: Wait for the Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Once your Express Entry profile is active, you will be placed into a pool of candidates where you are ranked according to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts Express Entry draws approximately twice a month, issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to the highest-scoring candidates. With the introduction Receiving an ITA is essential for moving forward with your application for permanent residency in Canada.
Step 4: Prepare and Submit an Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR)
Upon receiving an Invitation to Apply, you must swiftly prepare and submit your Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). You have a 60-day window to gather all necessary supporting documents, fill out the required immigration forms, and submit your eAPR, completing this critical phase of your application for permanent residency.
Step 5: Complete Your Landing and get your Permanent Resident Status in Canada
After your Permanent Residence application is approved, you must complete the landing process in Canada to officially obtain your Permanent Resident status. For citizens of countries that require a visa to enter Canada and are currently outside the country, a PR Visa must be issued and placed in your passport before you can travel. Otherwise, you will have to finalize your landing and obtain your electronic Confirmation of Permanent Residence (eCOPR) through the online PR Portal. Your Permanent Resident status is only conferred once you have successfully completed the landing procedures in Canada.
The main benefits of Express Entry
Point-based program
Know your chances upfront
With Express Entry you can estimate your chances for an ITA and getting PR in Canada even before you apply and pay application processing fees.
Completely online
No more mailing in your documents
Applying for FSW program through the Express Entry system you complete the whole application online from start to finish.
Fast-tracked
Designed to be "Express”
The service standard for FSW and other economic immigration programs processed through the Express Entry system is just around 6 months.
How hard is it to get an ITA for Express Entry?
The chances of you receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through Express Entry depend on many factors, such as your CRS score, your occupation, and the frequency of the Rounds of Invitations held by IRCC.
Speak to one of our lawyers to assess your eligibility for FSW and to learn how you can improve your chances of getting an ITA.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes FSW Express Entry application process seem easy and straightforward. However, many challenges can arise in the course of preparing your application for Permanent Residence in Canada. With IRCC’s "One-touch Policy" even a single minor mistake can lead to a refusal and you may lose your chance of immigration to Canada forever.
We are here to help you avoid this risk!
Free Resources
Check our free Express Entry resources
Free LIVE Q&A Youtube sessions
Every Wednesday at 10 AM MDT
Hosted by an experienced Canadian Immigration Lawyer, these sessions are designed to assist you in navigating the complexities of the Canadian immigration process. Whether you are just starting your immigration journey or already possess substantial knowledge, our sessions are tailored to address your toughest questions. Become a part of our community of over 56,000 Express Entry applicants and gain the insights you need to succeed.
Our blog posts about Express Entry.
Frequently asked questions
You probably still have many questions about Express Entry.
We’ve got some answers for you here:
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The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program is a Federal Economic Immigration Program processed through Canada's Express Entry immigration system, designed for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
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To qualify for the FSW Program, you must have at least one year of full-time skilled work experience, meet the minimum language ability in English or French, and obtain at least 67 FSW points under the program's eligibility criteria, which assess factors such as your age, education, work experience, and adaptability.
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Federal Skilled Worker applicants must score at least CLB 7/NCLC 7 in listening, reading, writing, and speaking in English or French. To prove your language abilities you need to take IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF, or TCF language test exams.
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Express Entry is a system used to process the applications submitted through the Federal Skilled Workers program. It involves creating a profile and being entered into a pool of Express Entry candidates. Your Express Entry profile is ranked based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. High-ranking candidates are then invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
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The processing time for a Federal Skilled Worker application through Express Entry typically ranges from 6 months to one year, although times can vary based on individual circumstances. IRCC is working hard to ensure that most Expressp Entry applications are processed in 6 months.
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The main difference is the requirement for Canadian work experience. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is aimed at those with at least one year of work experience in Canada, whereas the Federal Skilled Worker program is open to those with at least one year of skilled work experience from anywhere in the world. You don’t need to have Canadian skilled work experience to qualify for FSW.
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Yes, under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your application for Canadian permanent residence.
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Benefits include access to a stable and inclusive job market, a high quality of life in Canada, healthcare benefits, and the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting residency requirements. This is also by far the most popular immigration program in Canada
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The processing fee for Express Entry application is $950, and right of permanent residence fee is $575 for one adult applicant. The processing fee for your dependent children will be $260 per child. You also need to factor in the $85 biometric fee.
When applying for Permanent Residence in Canada through Federal Skilled Worker program you also must have enough money in your bank account to demonstrate your ability for financially establish yourself in Canada. This amount changes every year. -
You can improve your CRS score by gaining additional work experience, improving your language scores, obtaining higher education, or receiving a provincial nomination which grants additional points. Speak to one of our lawyers to identify your best strategy to get PR in Canada.
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Essential documents for the FSW application include passports, language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF, or TCF), educational credential assessments (ECA), work experience letters, police certificates, proof of funds, and medical exams.
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To get an ECA, you must have your foreign education assessed by an organization recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), such as WES, CES, or ICAS.
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Jobs that qualify are categorized under Canada’s 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) as TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. These are managerial, professional, or technical jobs.
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Yes, you can apply for FSW without a job offer in Canada. However, having a valid job offer can increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, enhancing your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA).
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While there are no official age limits, the CRS awards more points to applicants between the ages of 20 and 29. CRS points decrease gradually as applicants age beyond this range.
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To prove work experience for Express Entry you must provide reference letters from your employers that outline your positions, duties, and duration of employment, ensuring that they match the NOC descriptions.
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After receiving an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence, including all supporting documents.
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No, you do not need a lawyer to apply for Express Entry. The process is designed to be straightforward enough for individuals to apply on their own. However, you should carefully consider reaching out to a lawyer to avoid making any mistakes in your Express Entry application. Our lawyers will help you navigate the process, ensure accuracy in your application, and advise you on the best strategy forward.