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

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:

  1. Knowledge of official Canadian languages (i.e. English and French) – up to 28 points
  2. Education credentials – up to 25 points
  3. Work experience – up to 15 points
  4. Age of the principal applicant – up to 12 points
  5. A valid job offer in Canada (arranged employment) – up to 10 points
  6. 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.

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.

Federal Skilled Worker Points

 

Related Posts

Canada to Expedite Temporary Resident Visas for Spousal Sponsorship Applicants

May 28, 2023

Work permit for the spouse or common-law partners in Canada

May 28, 2023

Decoding the dip in Canadian immigration in early 2023

May 19, 2023
Express Entry Canada Conducts PNP Specific Draw

Express Entry: Canada Conducts PNP-Specific Draw

May 11, 2023

If you wish to visit or move to Canada, please fill out our free assessment form. We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal advice from a licenced practitioner.

Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada

Fill our Free Canada Immigration Assessment Form in your language!

Disclaimer:
This article provides information of a general nature only. Considering the fluid nature of the immigration world, it may no longer be current. Of course, the item does not give legal advice. Therefore, do not rely on it as legal advice or immigration advice. Consequently, no one could hold us accountable for the content of these articles. Of course, if you have specific legal questions, you must consult a lawyer. Alternatively, if you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment.

The characters and places in the articles:
All the characters and locations in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Therefore, any resemblance in names, dates, and places is coincidental.

Important Notes:
For our official addresses, trust this website only. We currently do not have offices outside Canada. Therefore, anyone who claims to be our agent is committing fraud. Also, note that we do not issue any work permits or study permits or similar documents. The government of Canada has the sole authority to issue such material.

Click to read the disclaimer.

Al Parsai

This article has been expertly crafted by Al Parsai, a distinguished Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (L3 RCIC-IRB – Unrestricted Practice) hailing from vibrant Toronto, Canada. Al's academic achievements include an esteemed role as an adjunct professor at prestigious Queen's University Law School and Ashton College, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from York University. A respected member of CICC and CAPIC organizations, Al's insights are further enriched by his experience as the dynamic CEO of Parsai Immigration Services. Guiding thousands of applicants from over 55 countries through the immigration process since 2011, Al's articles offer a wealth of invaluable knowledge for readers.