Selection Factors for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

The Federal Skilled Worker Program is one stream under the Express Entry system for Permanent Residence in Canada. Immigrants are selected based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help people succeed in the Canadian labour market. Spouses and children are included on the application. In addition to minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language skills and education, candidates are assessed on a 100-point grid based on six selection factors for eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. These factors are:
  • age
  • education
  • work experience
  • a valid job offer
  • English and/or French language skills
  • adaptability

Candidates must meet all the minimum requirements AND score 67 points or higher on the selection factors to be eligible. These points are separate from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score used to rank people in the Express Entry pool. A higher score under the six selection factors does not affect a candidate's chances to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence. 

Candidates can get a maximum of 12 points for age if they are between 18 and 35 years old. For any additional year of age, one point is deducted down to 0 points for immigrants aged 47 or older. Up to 25 points are awarded for education gained in Canada. Foreign education requires an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) in order to be considered. The point system is different from the CRS and applicants need to make sure they reference the correct system when looking up their points for education. Under the selection factors for Federal Skilled Worker Program, the range starts with 5 points for a highschool diploma and ends at 25 points for a doctorate degree. Both a candidate's first and second official language skills are considered under the selection factors. A minimum of CLB 7 in each of the abilities of the first official language is required to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Up to 4 points are awarded if an applicant has a score of at least CLB 5 across all four language abilities in the second official language. Both English and French can be used as the first or second official language. To maximize points, the language with the higher CLB level should be used as the candidate's first official language. Applicants are awarded between 9 and 15 points for skilled work experience. At least one year of skilled work experience is required to be eligible. Both Canadian and foreign work experience is considered under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Arranged employment is worth 10 points towards a candidate's eligibility. Arranged employment also counts under the adaptability factor. Adaptability refers to how well a candidate is likely to settle in Canada. Other factors are the applicant's spouse's language skills, the applicant's or the applicant's spouse's past work or studies in Canada, or other relatives in Canada like a parent, child, sibling, aunt/uncle, or niece/nephew. To see the full breakdown of points awarded for each of the six selection factors, click here. The selection factor points are used to assess a candidate's eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program only. Once a candidate has created a profile in the Express Entry pool, their CRS score is used to rank that profile. The highest-ranking candidates from the pool area selected and invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Contact us to check if the Federal Skilled Worker Program is the right path for you to make your Canadian dream come true!

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