FSWP 2025: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Moving to Canada as a Skilled Worker

Are you a skilled professional with foreign work experience looking to build a better future in Canada? The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) might be your perfect pathway to permanent residency. This popular immigration route is part of Canada’s Express Entry system and is designed especially for skilled workers who want to live and work permanently in Canada.

In this blog, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the FSWP — including who can apply, how points are calculated, the FSWP occupation list, and the latest updates for 2025.

What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)?

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is one of three programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system. It helps skilled foreign workers become permanent residents based on their Age, education, work experience, language ability, and more.

Unlike some other immigration programs, the FSWP does not require a job offer to apply. If you meet the minimum requirements and score enough points, you can create a profile and be entered into the Express Entry pool for selection.

Who is the FSWP For?

The program is designed for skilled workers who:

• Have at least 1 year of full-time paid work experience (or equivalent part-time)
• Meet language requirements in English or French
• Have post-secondary education (or equivalent foreign degree)
• Score at least 67 out of 100 points in the selection system

Minimum Requirements for FSWP

To be eligible for the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must meet the following basic requirements:

1. Skilled Work Experience

• You need to have completed a minimum of one year (1,560 hours) of uninterrupted paid work experience in the last ten years.
• Eligibility requires that your job be classified within NOC TEER levels 0 to 3.
• Job must match the duties described in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• Volunteer or unpaid work does not count

2. Language Ability

• You need to complete a recognized language proficiency test in either English or French.
• Must meet the minimum score in all four abilities:
  Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking

3. Education

• If you studied outside Canada, you need:
  • A completed educational credential, and
  • An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) issued by an approved authority or designated organization.

Federal Skilled Worker Program: How Selection Works

To qualify for Canada’s Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under Express Entry, you must first meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Once these are met, your profile is evaluated using a selection factors points system, with a maximum score of 100 points.

To qualify, applicants must score at least 67 points. Those who meet or surpass this threshold become eligible to join the Express Entry pool.A lower score means you won’t qualify for the program.

Selection Factors Breakdown

• Age (Up to 12 points)
  Applicants between 18–35 years receive the highest points.

• Language Proficiency (Up to 28 points)
  • First Official Language (Up to 24 points):
    Points are based on your abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. You need at least CLB 7 in all four skills to qualify.
  • Second Official Language (Up to 4 points):
    You can earn 4 additional points if you score CLB 5 or above in all four areas.
• Education (Up to 25 points)
  Higher levels of education earn more points.
• Skilled Work Experience (Up to 15 points)

Points are allocated based on how long you have worked in a skilled occupation.

• Arranged Employment in Canada (Up to 10 points)
  Work experience in a skilled occupation contributes to your overall points based on its length.
• Adaptability (Up to 10 points)
  Factors like previous study or work in Canada, or having a spouse with strong language skills, can help you earn extra points.

Proof of Funds
You must demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to support yourself and your family after arriving in Canada, unless you already have a job there or hold a valid employment offer.

Admissibility

To be eligible, you must not be inadmissible to Canada. You may be denied entry to Canada due to security threats, medical conditions, or a criminal record.

Where You Can Live

You must plan to settle outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec manages its own skilled worker program. While you’ll be asked to indicate your intended destination in Canada, you’re free to live anywhere except Quebec — unless you’re applying through a Provincial Nominee Program, which requires settling in the nominating province.