Professionals / Federal Skilled Workers

Professionals / Federal Skilled Workers

Canada values the skills and experiences that foreign professionals and workers bring with them and has many employment opportunities for the qualified person.  The goal of encouraging this type of immigration is to attract people with good education and employment skills who will contribute to Canada’s economic growth and development.

Skilled workers are people whose education, language ability and skilled work experience will enable them to become successfully established in Canada. They are assessed according to point system which evaluates their ability to adapt to the Canadian economy. The selection grid comprises of six main factors – Education, Experience, Language, Arranged Employment, Age and Adaptability factors.

To qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker (Professional), applicants must:

  • Have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in one of the listed qualifying occupations; or
  • Qualify for Arranged Employment with a full-time permanent job offer from a Canadian employer; or
  • Have completed a PhD in Canada, or have completed two years of study in Canada towards a PhD, in both cases at a recognized institutions

In addition, Canada Federal Skilled Worker (Professional) applicants must attain at least 67 points based on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) immigration selection factors, and have at least one year continuous full-time or equivalent paid skilled work experience in the past 10 years.

Effective July 1st, 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has placed a temporary pause on new applications to the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

NOTE: Citizenship and Immigration Canada has announced proposed changes to the Federal Skilled Worker Program. These changes will take effect on January 1st, 2013.  Some changes have yet to be fully outlined.

Other Canadian Immigration programs are currently open. Please fill out a professional assessment form to determine your eligibility.