Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
Classic points route to PR for skilled professionals with foreign work experience.
Official Canada pageWho this route is for
Foreign-trained skilled workers (NOC TEER 0/1/2/3) with no required Canadian work history, applying through the Express Entry pool.
Eligibility requirements
- Pass the 67-out-of-100 FSW grid (language, education, experience, age, arranged employment, adaptability), then score high enough on the CRS (out of 1,200) to be invited in a draw
- Language CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities (roughly IELTS 6.0 in each band)
- At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of continuous full-time skilled work (TEER 0/1/2/3) in the last 10 years; an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is needed for foreign education
- Settlement funds: CAD $15,263 single (current 2026 figure), $19,001 (2), $23,360 (3), $28,362 (4), rising per person; exempt if you already work in Canada on a valid permit with an offer
- Funds must be liquid, unencumbered and not borrowed; you count every family member even if they stay behind
Requirements reviewed June 2026. They change frequently — confirm the current rules on the official page before relying on them.
Recent changes & caveats
Fees rose on 30 Apr 2026: principal-applicant processing $950 to $990 and RPRF $575 to $600. CRS cut-offs in all-program draws have generally sat in the high 400s to 540s.
Check your points first
Use the free Express Entry CRS Calculator to see if you're likely to qualify before you start.
Other Canada routes
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)
PermanentThe fastest in-Canada route - turns skilled Canadian experience into PR.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry)
PermanentPR for experienced tradespeople - no education or selection-grid pass mark needed.
Express Entry Category-Based Draws
PermanentTargeted invitations that let lower-CRS candidates get picked for in-demand work.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
PermanentProvinces nominate the workers they need - an aligned nomination adds 600 CRS points.