The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for people who want to become permanent residents based on having foreign work experience, such as:

• managers and supervisors
• people in jobs that usually need:
  • a university degree
  • a college diploma, or
  • apprenticeship training

A prospective applicant to the Federal Skilled Worker Program must meet basic and minimum requirements for their application to then be evaluated. The evaluation will be based on how many points the applicant receives in the six selection factors.

Basic requirement – skilled work experience

All applicants must have skilled work experience in 1 of the following National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories:

• TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2 or TEER 3

TEER stands for training, education, experience and responsibilities. More information on NOC and the TEER categories can be found here.

Skilled work experience must be:

• in the same type of job (have the same NOC) as the job you want to use for your immigration application (called your primary occupation)
• within the last 10 years
• paid work (have been paid wages or earned commission
• at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week)—you can meet this in a few different ways (full-time, or part-time)

Minimum requirements: language skills and education

Along with the basic requirements, applicants to the Federal Skilled Worker Program must also meet the minimum requirements for language skills and education. In order to demonstrate that you have the minimum language skills necessary to be eligible to have your application processed, you will have to take a language test from an agency approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

To meet the minimum educational requirements, you must have:

• a Canadian diploma, certificate or credential, and/or
• a foreign educational credential, and an Educational Credential Assessment by an agency approved by IRCC to show that your foreign education is equal to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary educational credential.

The language skills test results, and proof of your educational credentials must be included in your application.

Six selection factors: points system

If an applicant meets the basic and minimum requirements, their application will be processed. The next step is an evaluation on how well they rate in the following six selection criteria categories:

1. Skills in English and/or French, Canada’s two official languages
2. Education
3. Work experience
4. Age
5. Whether the applicant has arranged employment in Canada
6. Adaptability (how well they are likely to settle here)

Applicants are rated based on a points system. An applicant must have a minimum of 67 points to be eligible to immigrate. Before submitting an application, an applicant can estimate how many points they will earn by filling out the forms on the IRCC website. For more information, refer to 6648 Point System for Skilled Workers and Self-Employed.

Employment or proof of funds

Unless applicants are currently working or authorized to work in Canada, or have a valid offer of arranged employment, they must show that they have enough money to support themselves and their family after they arrive in Canada. The funds required depends on the number of family members immigrating. The amounts are subject to change by IRCC. Generally though, Skilled Worker immigrants must have at least $13,300 when they enter Canada, plus an additional $3,500 for each dependent.

As part of the application, the applicant and the applicant’s dependents must pass a security check and a medical exam by a designated physician.

How to apply – Express Entry

Federal Skilled Worker Program applicants can only be processed through the Express Entry online immigration management system. View 6649 Express Entry System for more information.

Fees

Applicants must pay a processing fee for themselves and any family members. The processing fee depends on how many people are included in the application. The processing fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected. There are additional fees that applicants are responsible for, depending on the program. These may include: a medical exam; police certificate; and language testing. Visit IRCC for a complete list of application fees.

A criminal record will delay, and can even prevent you from getting your immigration status. To erase your criminal record, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

Get legal help

For strategic guidance on expanding your business to Canada—whether through the C11, ICT, LMIA, or investment-driven pathways — contact our preferred immigration lawyer, Sobirovs Law Firm at 1-416-895-3926 or wecare@sobirovs.com. The Sobirovs team helps entrepreneurs navigate Canada’s business immigration system with clarity and a structured plan for long-term success.

								
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