Federal Skilled Workers

Skilled Workers are selected as permanent residents based on their ability to become economically established in Canada. If interested in applying for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, an applicant must first complete an online Express Entry profile and meet the criteria to enter the pool of candidates.

The Express Entry System is used to manage the following programs:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • Federal Skilled Trades Program
  • Canadian Experience Class
  • a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program

Basic eligibility: To qualify for the Federal Skilled Workers Program, candidates must:

  • Have one year of continuous full time (or an equal amount of continuous part-time) qualifying skilled work experience in the last ten years;
  • Achieve the Canadian minimum language threshold on an official language test;
  • Have a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report indicating that the foreign education is equivalent to a Canadian one;
  • Obtain a pass mark of 67 out of 100 on the selection grid; and
  • Have enough funds to settle in Canada.

When IRCC assesses an application for FSWP, a grid of 100 points is used to assess how well an applicant can adapt to Canada’s labour market. The six selection factors are as follows:

  • English and/or French skills
  • Education
  • Work experience
  • Age
  • Arranged employment, and
  • Adaptability

    What Our Clients Are Saying
    Canadian Greeb
    4 weeks ago
    Nice law firm Very nice staff Slowly but surely
    Carol
    1 month ago
    I had a truly excellent experience with Bellissimo Immigration Law Group. Keely is knowledgeable, warm, and incredibly detail-oriented, and Mario brings a wealth of experience and insight. I was helping my son’s nanny navigate a very complex immigration situation. She had been living with us in Canada for three years when we began her permanent residency application. During the process, we discovered an issue with her original work permit application. While it was an honest mistake, we knew it could have serious implications and wanted to handle it carefully. We consulted several immigration lawyers, and most advised that it would be a difficult case. Many suggested submitting an explanation and hoping for the best. The Bellissimo team also acknowledged the challenges but recommended a different approach — applying on Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) grounds. Mario had experience with this path and believed it would give us a stronger chance of success. The application process was thorough and required a significant amount of work. Keely guided us every step of the way. In total, we submitted over 80 supporting documents, many beyond the basic requirements, to fully demonstrate our nanny’s life in Canada and her contributions to our family and community. Keely and Mario also prepared a comprehensive submission that tied everything together clearly and persuasively. Due to COVID backlogs and changes in immigration policies, the process took several years. Throughout that time, the Bellissimo team continued to check in and monitor our file — they truly don’t just submit and walk away, which we really appreciated. We are so happy to share that our nanny has now received her permanent residency. Looking back, I am convinced that their strategy, attention to detail, and dedication made all the difference. I would highly recommend Bellissimo Immigration Law Group, especially for anyone dealing with complex or non-straightforward immigration cases.
    Amanda Suckra
    3 months ago
    ​"When our spousal sponsorship was denied due to a large age gap, we felt judged and defeated. Bellissimo Law Group changed everything. Alexandra Goncharova and her team are absolute experts in these sensitive cases; they didn't just provide legal advice—they gave us our future back. ​Alexandra was meticulous, fearless, and prepared us so thoroughly that our refusal was successfully overturned. If you are facing a complex appeal where the odds seem stacked against you, Bellissimo is the firm you need, Highest recommendation!"
    Kenneth Perry
    5 months ago
    Bellissimo Immigration Law Group made a complex process feel clear and manageable. Their team was professional, attentive, and genuinely committed to helping me succeed. I always felt informed, supported, and in excellent hands. I’m truly grateful for their work and highly recommend them.
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    6 months ago
    I had an excellent experience working with Alexander on my IAD appeal. She guided us through every step with patience, clarity, and professionalism. The way she prepared us for the interview and handled the hearing was truly impressive. Our appeal was approved, and we’re extremely grateful for her hard work and dedication. Highly recommended!
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    6 months ago
    Lisa Fletcher
    6 months ago
    I am thankful that I was able to use the services of Bellissimo Law Group. Hannah, my immigration attorney, walked me through every step and answered every question I had. The process was made so much easier with her help and we achieved success! I am now a Canadian citizen! Thank you, Hannah and the team at Bellissimo.