Federal Skilled Workers

Currently, Federal Skilled Workers Permanent Residence applications are being processed under Express Entry System. Express Entry is now the first step to immigrate to Canada Permanently under FSWP, FSTP, Canadian Experience Class and a portion of PNP. It is not a new program. Criteria for existing programs continue to apply.

Express Entry is fully electronic application process. Under EE, CIC selects candidates who are most likely to succeed in Canada. Processing time is six months or less. Potential Candidate meeting minimum requirements like Skilled Work Experience of at least 1 year within the last 10 years in skill type 0 or skill levels A or B of 2016 National Occupational Classification, Language Ability with a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB 7) in all four abilities and possessing Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) Report from an approved agency showing that the foreign education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian Secondary or Post-Secondary School.

Such applications will also be assessed based on six selection factors of Age, Education, Work Experience, whether having valid job offer, English and/or French Language abilities, Adaptability. These factors are part of a 100-point grid used to assess Federal Skilled Workers. Applicant earns points for how well they do in each of these six factors. The current pass mark is 67 points to qualify for the Express Entry Pool.

Once in the Pool, Candidates now have multiple opportunities to be invited to apply throughout the year and Express Entry Profile remains active for up to 1 year. Candidates in the pool are ranked against others in the pool according to their Comprehensive Ranking System Score. The highest scoring Express Entry candidates are invited to apply regardless of when they entered the Express Entry Pool.

Invitation rounds can be for a specific immigration program (top ranked in that program) or simply the top ranked candidates in the pool. Rounds occur at a frequency and in numbers that align with the annual Immigration Levels Plan and processing capacity.

If invited to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Candidate will need to show that they meet the settlement funds requirement unless they:

• are currently authorized to work in Canada, and
• have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

To substantiate possession of required settlement funds, candidates must get official letters from any banks or financial institutions keeping their money.

Candidates have 90 days from the date of receipt of Invitation to Apply to submit their complete application for permanent residence.

You risk making mistakes, wasting time or increasing the risk of failure of your application by attempting to handle such a complex legal case yourself. To avoid these risks, contact an immigration consultant who is strongly committed to providing you with viable solutions for your immigration problems.