Federal Skilled Worker points and FSW calculator
If you apply for immigration to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSW or FSW) candidate, you need to meet the minimum requirements. You also need to meet the minimum Federal Skilled Worker points. For more information about the minimum criteria, read the following article:
Table of contents
- Introduction
- Knowledge of official Canadian languages
- Education credentials
- Work experience
- Age of the principal applicant
- A valid job offer in Canada (arranged employment)
- Adaptability
- Federal Skilled Worker Program & Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker point calculator
The basics of federal skilled worker points
The minimum point is 67 out of 100 possible points. However, you could divide them into six main factors:
- Knowledge of official Canadian languages (i.e. English and French) – up to 28 points
- Education credentials – up to 25 points
- Work experience – up to 15 points
- Age of the principal applicant – up to 12 points
- A valid job offer in Canada (arranged employment) – up to 10 points
- Adaptability – up to 10 points
Knowledge of official Canadian languages
Canada has two official languages; French and English. You need to be familiar with at least one of them. You also need to take a good language test to prove your ability to an immigration officer. Consider the following:
- If you know one official language, you will receive a maximum of 24 points.
- For the second official language, you could receive up to 4 more points.
- The points rely on each of the four language abilities (i.e. speaking, listening, reading, and writing). The overall score is not essential.
- The only approved English tests are CELPIP and IELTS General.
- The only approved French tests are TEF Canada and TCF Canada.
- IRCC may change the acceptable tests and scoring system from time to time
Education credentials
If you completed your education outside Canada, you need to provide an acceptable Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to the IRCC. The maximum number of points for education is 25.
Work experience
The following list shows the breakdown of points for work experience. Your experience needs to be equivalent to a full-time job in the past ten years. Only work experience in a NOC 0, A, or B job is acceptable.
- Six years or more – 15 points
- Four to five years – 13 points
- Two to three years – 11 points
- One year – 9 points
Age of the principal applicant
You may receive up to 12 points for age, based on the following table.
| Age | Points |
| 18-35 | 12 |
| 36 | 11 |
| 37 | 10 |
| 38 | 9 |
| 39 | 8 |
| 40 | 7 |
| 41 | 6 |
| 42 | 5 |
| 43 | 4 |
| 44 | 3 |
| 45 | 2 |
| 46 | 1 |
| Under 18 | 0 |
| 47 and older | 0 |
A valid job offer in Canada (arranged employment)
As a general rule, the job offer needs to be accompanied by an LMIA (exceptions apply). It also needs to meet the following:
- A NOC 0, A, or B job
- A full-time job for at least one year
- You can do the job and, if necessary, get all the required licenses.
If you receive a valid job offer, you will be exempt from the minimum unencumbered funds. You also receive 10 points.
Read the following articles for more information:
Adaptability
Adaptability offers you a maximum of 10 points. Of course, you may receive points under the following subcategories.
- The spouse or common-law partner’s language level (the equivalent of CLB 4 or higher) – 5 points
- Principal applicant’s past studies in Canada (at least two years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies) – 5 points
- The spouse or common-law partner’s past studies in Canada (at least two years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies) – 5 points
- Principal applicant’s past work experience in Canada (at least one-year full time in NOC type 0 or level A or B with a valid work permit) – 5 points
- The spouse or common-law partner’s past work in Canada – 5 points
- Principal applicant’s valid job offer to Canada (arranged employment) – 5 points (on top of the ten independent points you receive because of this job offer)
- Relatives in Canada (either the principal applicant or the spouse or common-law partner of the PA) – 5 points
Relatives must currently be living in Canada. They have to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. They also need to be at least 18 years old. Acceptable relatives include the following concerning the PA or PA’s spouse or common-law partner:
- children or grandchildren
- parents or grandparents
- siblings (brothers or sisters)
- nephews or nieces
- uncles or aunts (by marriage or blood)
Federal Skilled Worker Program & Express Entry
The Federal Skilled Worker Program is managed under the Express Entry system since January 2015. For more information, read the following articles.
- Express Entry Immigration to Canada
- Express Entry vs. the Old Federal Skilled Worker Program to Canada
Federal Skilled Worker point calculator (beta)
If you want to calculate your points, click the following image. Of course, this is an official proprietory calculator for Parsai Immigration Services. Regardless, remember that meeting the Federal Skilled Worker points does not guarantee your Express Entry application. Therefore, consider it a necessary but primary step.
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Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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