Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Lawyer For Express Entry
Skilled professionals with foreign work experience may qualify for permanent residence in Canada through Express Entry. Ayodele Law helps Federal Skilled Worker applicants assess eligibility, meet the 67-point requirement, and submit strong, well-documented Express Entry profiles.
Federal Skilled Worker Program — A Pathway to Permanent Residence in Canada
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the main immigration programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system. It is designed for skilled workers who have foreign work experience and want to become permanent residents of Canada.
Unlike the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program does not require Canadian work experience. Instead, applicants are assessed based on education, language ability, skilled work history, and a points-based selection system before entering the Express Entry pool.
Who Is the Federal Skilled Worker Program For?
You may be a good candidate for the Federal Skilled Worker Program if you:
Have skilled work experience outside Canada
Work in a profession classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
Meet the minimum language and education requirements
Score at least 67 points on the Federal Skilled Worker selection grid
Intend to live outside the province of Quebec
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
To qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must meet all minimum eligibility criteria set by IRCC.
1. Skilled Work Experience
Your skilled work experience must:
Be classified under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3
Be in your primary occupation (not necessarily your most recent role)
Match the lead statement and most main duties of the NOC description
Be paid employment (wages or commission)
Be continuous
Have been obtained within the last 10 years
Total at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of work
2. Student Work Experience
Paid, continuous work performed while studying may count toward Federal Skilled Worker eligibility only if it meets all program requirements, including proper wages, continuous employment, and valid NOC duties. Unpaid internships, co-ops, or work with gaps may be excluded.
3. Language Ability
You must take an approved English or French language test and meet the minimum score in all four abilities:
Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
Accepted tests include IELTS, CELPIP, TEF Canada, and TCF Canada.
4. Education
You must have:
A Canadian diploma, certificate, or degree, or
A foreign educational credential supported by a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
An ECA confirms your foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian credential.
Federal Skilled Worker Selection Factors (67-Point Requirement)
Meeting the minimum requirements alone is not enough. Federal Skilled Worker applicants must score at least 67 points out of 100 on IRCC’s selection grid to qualify for Express Entry under the FSWP. If you score 67 points or more, you may enter the Express Entry pool and be ranked under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). These eligibility points are different from your CRS score.
Federal Skilled Worker Selection Factors
| Work Arrangement | How It Counts for FSWP |
|---|---|
| Full-time work | 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1,560 hours |
| Part-time work | 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1,560 hours |
| Multiple jobs | Hours may be combined if work is continuous |
How Skilled Work Experience Is Counted: guide
| Selection Factor | Maximum Points |
|---|---|
| Language skills | 28 points |
| Education | 25 points |
| Skilled work experience | 15 points |
| Age | 12 points |
| Arranged employment | 10 points |
| Adaptability | 10 points |
Proof of Funds
Most Federal Skilled Worker applicants must show they have enough settlement funds to support themselves and their family after arriving in Canada. You do not need to show proof of funds if:
You are currently authorized to work in Canada and
You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
Funds must be readily available, transferable, and unencumbered by debt.
Admissibility to Canada
All applicants must be admissible to Canada. You may be found inadmissible due to:
Security concerns
Previous immigration violations
Where You Can Live in Canada
Federal Skilled Worker applicants must intend to live outside Quebec, which operates its own skilled worker immigration system.
Unless you apply through a Provincial Nominee Program, you are not legally required to settle in the province you initially select.
Start your Federal Skilled Worker application with Ayodele Law
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is a key pathway to permanent residence for skilled professionals with international work
experience. Eligibility depends on meeting specific requirements for NOC selection, continuous work history, education, language
results, and the 67-point selection grid.
At Ayodele Law, our Toronto-based immigration law firm provides strategic, detail-focused guidance for Federal Skilled
Worker applicants—from confirming NOC and TEER eligibility and reviewing work history continuity, to assessing education and ECA
requirements, evaluating the 67-point grid and CRS strategy, and preparing complete Express Entry submissions. If you’re searching
for a Federal Skilled Worker lawyer near you or trusted legal support near me in Toronto or anywhere
across Canada, we offer personalized representation designed to strengthen your Express Entry profile and maximize your chances of
permanent residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program often raises detailed questions about eligibility, foreign work experience, education assessments, and Express Entry scoring. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive from skilled professionals considering permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
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No. The Federal Skilled Worker Program is designed for applicants with foreign skilled work experience. You do not need to have worked in Canada to qualify, as long as your experience meets NOC TEER and continuity requirements.
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Continuous work experience means you must have completed at least one full year of uninterrupted, paid employment in your primary occupation. Short breaks, changes in employers, or overlapping roles may still qualify if the work remains continuous and within the same NOC.
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There is no restricted occupation list. Eligibility depends on whether your role falls under NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 and whether your job duties align with the NOC lead statement and main responsibilities.
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An Educational Credential Assessment is generally valid for five years. It must be valid when you submit your Express Entry profile and when you apply for permanent residence.
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The 67-point selection grid determines whether you qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Once you qualify, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score ranks you against other candidates in the Express Entry pool for Invitations to Apply.
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No. A job offer is not required to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. However, a valid job offer may increase your CRS score and, in some cases, remove the requirement to show proof of settlement funds.
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Yes. You can still submit an Express Entry profile if you meet the Federal Skilled Worker eligibility requirements. Some applicants improve their CRS score through higher language test results, additional work experience, or provincial nomination programs.
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No. You do not need to work with a lawyer located in your city to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Ayodele Law represents Federal Skilled Worker applicants across Canada and internationally, providing remote consultations and full Express Entry representation. Whether you’re searching for a Federal Skilled Worker lawyer near you or need trusted immigration support near me while applying from abroad, your application can be handled effectively without in-person meetings.
From Our ClientsFrom start to finish, Tracy's professionalism and personalized approach made a significant difference in my case and my life. She was not only knowledgeable but also genuinely supportive, ensuring that every step of the process was handled with care and attention to detail. If you need expert immigration assistance, I highly recommend Ayodele Law
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