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FSWP — Federal Skilled Worker Program
VisasCanadaFSWP — Federal Skilled Worker Program
CanadaCanada•North America
Open

FSWP — Federal Skilled Worker Program

Skilled Migration PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

6 months

Application Fee

1,675 CAD

Stay Duration

Indefinite

Renewable

No

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Available

Remote Work

Allowed

Apply Now Official Information
Canada flag

Living in Canada

Cost of Living
8% cheaper than United States
Avg SalaryCA$50,000
Quality of Life
172/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is Canada's Express Entry pathway to permanent residence for skilled professionals with foreign work experience. Candidates are scored on age, education, work experience, and language ability, and must reach a minimum of 67 points on the selection grid.

Eligible applicants need one year of skilled work in NOC TEER 0–3 and CLB 7 in English or French. In the Express Entry pool, candidates are ranked by the Comprehensive Ranking System; those with the highest CRS scores receive an Invitation to Apply. Processing typically takes 6 months.

This visa is ideal for skilled professionals outside Canada who want a direct, permanent route to Canadian residency without needing a job offer.

Fee Breakdown

Processing fee
990 CAD
Right of Permanent Residence Fee
600 CAD
Biometrics
85 CAD

Stay & Extensions

Status typePermanent / indefinite

Annual Cap & Quota

Managed via Express Entry targets

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of one year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in the last 10 years

Work experience must be in a job classified under TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC)

Meet the minimum language threshold of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all four categories (reading, writing, listening, speaking)

Possess a Canadian educational credential or a foreign credential with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report

Score at least 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP selection grid (based on age, education, experience, language, and adaptability)

Prove sufficient settlement funds (unless currently authorized to work in Canada or have a valid job offer)

Be admissible to Canada (no criminal or security issues)

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

Experience

1+ years

Min. Savings

15,263 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport or travel document

Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, or TCF)

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report

Proof of work experience (reference letters, contracts, pay stubs)

Police certificates from all countries lived in for 6+ months since age 18

Medical examination results

Proof of funds (bank statements)

Birth certificates or other civil status documents

Two passport-sized photos

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Direct path to Permanent Residence
  • No job offer required

Worth Knowing

  • Highly competitive
  • Requires high language and education standards

Application Process

1

Create Express Entry profile

2

Receive ITA

3

Submit full PR application

Verified Claims (22)

Last verified May 31, 2026
Application StepsCreate Express Entry profile; Receive ITA; Submit full PR applicationcanada.ca
Dependent VisaYescanada.ca
Fee BreakdownProcessing fee: 990 CAD; Right of Permanent Residence Fee: 600 CAD; Biometrics: 85 CADcanada.ca
FeesCAD 1,675 (including biometrics)canada.ca
Forms—canada.ca
Included Nationalities—canada.ca
Job Offer Requiredfalsecanada.ca
Application Portalhttps://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/ap…canada.ca

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