If you are a skilled worker, you may be eligible for Canadian permanent residence. *Please note as of January 1, 2015 the Skilled Worker program as been replaced by the Expressed Entry Program. Go to this page for more details. Then, fill out our immigration assessment form for Expressed Entry and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.

How to Qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program​

Please note as of January 1, 2015 the Skilled Worker program as been replaced by the Expressed Entry Program. Go to this page for more details. If you are a considered a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), you may be able to qualify for immigration to Canada.

Requirements for Skilled Worker Eligibility

In order to be considered for the FSW program, a foreign worker must have ONE of the following:

At least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of the 24 eligible occupations (see further below).

Qualified for Arranged Employment with a Labour Market Opinion and a full-time, permanent job offer from a Canadian employer.

Completed a PhD in Canada, or have completed two years of study in Canada towards a PhD, in both cases at a recognized institution.

In addition, the applicant must prove an ability to speak either English or French.

The Express Entry Application Service will get you in to the pool quickly and with a profile that gives you the best chance of being selected. Find out if you are eligible for our Express Entry Service by clicking Get Started.

6 Selection Factors for Assessing Applicant's Eligibility

Education

Their abilities in English and/or French, Canada’s two official languages

Work experience.

Age

They have arranged employment in Canada, and

Adaptability.

An applicant must score 67 points out of a possible 100 to be eligible for the Skilled Worker visa. Individuals must also show that they have enough money to support themselves and their dependents after they arrive in Canada.

If the immigration officer is satisfied that you in fact meet the requirement, you will be asked to attend the local immigration office to pick up your card. You will have 180 days from the notice of the letter to pick up your new card. It is no longer required that you submit your old PR card with the application. Instead, CIC now requires that you bring your old card to the local immigration office at the time you are ready to pick up your new card. This is a welcomed change as it allows permanent residents to travel abroad and to return to Canada as long as they have a valid PR card, while their application for renewal is in process in Canada.

Occupations are Eligible for the FSW Program?

There are 24 eligible occupations for the Federal Skilled Worker List. There is a cap on these occupation streams of 5000 and sub-caps of 300 applications in each of the 24 occupations on the list. This means that there are limited opportunities, and is a reason why enlisting professional help with your application will help your case.

Eligible Occupations for FSW Program

VEngineering managers, Financial and investment analysts, Geoscientists and oceanographers, Civil engineers, Mechanical engineers, Chemical engineers, Mining engineers, Geological engineers, Petroleum engineers, Aerospace engineers, Computer engineers (except software engineers/designers), Land surveyors, Computer programmers and interactive media developers, Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics, Inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety, Audiologists and speech-language pathologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Medical laboratory technologists, Medical laboratory technicians and pathologists’ assistants, Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists, Medical radiation technologists, Medical sonographers, Cardiology technicians and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c.