The Federal Skilled Worker Program is an Express Entry permanent-residence route for skilled workers with qualifying work experience. Program selection factors and CRS pool ranking are separate assessments. Current fees and processing information are shown separately below. Processing estimates are not guarantees.
IRCC fee list (modified 2026-09-21), in CAD: economic immigration application CAD 1,590 for the principal applicant including the right of permanent residence fee (CAD 990 without it); spouse or partner CAD 1,590 (990 without the right of PR fee); each dependent child CAD 270. Biometrics CAD 85 per person. Provincial or other program fees are not on this list.≈ $1,161
IRCC processing tool (updated September 3, 2026): Federal skilled workers, about 7 months. These are estimates, not a guarantee. An Express Entry invitation is valid for 60 days.
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Source-backed requirements
Eligibility
(4)Age (points factor)
InformationalCRS age points are highest at ages 20–29, decrease from age 30, and are zero at age 45 or older. These are Express Entry ranking points, distinct from the FSW 67-point selection grid.
Verified officialEducational credential
DocumentMandatoryA Canadian high school diploma or a foreign equivalent with an ECA report.
Verified officialLanguage proficiency
DocumentMandatoryFSW: English CLB 7 or French NCLC 7 in all four abilities on an IRCC-approved language test. Results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and submit your permanent-residence application.
Verified officialSkilled work experience
MandatoryFSW requires at least 1 year of continuous paid qualifying work (1,560 hours) in TEER 0–3 within the last 10 years. Equivalent part-time work can count; IRCC counts no more than 30 hours per week. The work must match your primary NOC and its duties.
Verified official
Qualification
(2)FSW selection score: at least 67/100
MandatoryBesides meeting the minimum requirements, you need at least 67 of 100 FSW selection-factor points. This eligibility assessment is separate from CRS ranking and does not guarantee an invitation.
Verified officialSettlement funds
ConditionalFSW and FST require settlement funds unless you are authorised to work in Canada AND have a valid job offer. Use IRCC’s current annual table for your family size, including a spouse and dependent children even if they are not accompanying you. IRCC’s displayed table is dated July 7, 2025 (checked October 10, 2026).
Verified official
Preparation
(2)Medical Examination
DocumentConditionalPermanent residence requires an immigration medical exam by an IRCC panel physician, including family members not accompanying you. If living in Canada with an IME from the past 5 years, another exam may not be needed: provide the previous IME/UMI or report and follow IRCC instructions. If no prior exam, arrange it after invitation; a reused exam is subject to IRCC acceptance.
Verified officialPolice certificates when required
DocumentConditionalAt permanent-residence application, applicants and family members aged 18+ need certificates for countries other than Canada where they stayed 6 consecutive months or more in the last 10 years after turning 18. An officer may request older periods. Current-country certificates: issued within 6 months before submission; other countries: after the last qualifying stay. Follow country-specific IRCC instructions.
Verified official
Application
(1)Intention to settle outside Quebec
MandatoryYou must intend to settle outside Quebec. Qualifying work experience gained in Quebec can count, but you must provide evidence that you do not plan to settle there. A provincial nominee must settle in the nominating province or territory.
Verified official
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Immigration Documents & Forms
Source citations
IRCC — Apply for permanent residence through Express Entry
IRCC
IRCC Express Entry application page: invitation valid 60 days; fees (processing, right of PR, biometrics) shown in the system, no amounts here; processing fee not refunded once processing starts.
IRCC — Express Entry police certificates
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Adult applicants/family; last10years,6consecutive months,excludesCanada/pre18; officer additional requests; issue-date conditions.
IRCC — Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker minimum requirements
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
FSW paid continuous qualifying skilled work in TEER0–3 within10years; one year/1560hours with equivalent part-time permitted; Canadian education or foreign credential plus ECA; selection threshold67 distinct from CRS.
IRCC — Express Entry: CRS age criteria
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
CRS age scoring highest at20–29, falls from30, zero from45; CRS ranking separate from FSW selection factors.
IRCC — Express Entry: Proof of settlement funds
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
FSW/FST settlement funds and joint authorised-work plus valid-offer exemption; CEC exemption and explanatory upload letter; annual family-size table currently dated2025-07-07, checked2026-10-10.
IRCC — Express Entry approved language tests and program thresholds
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
CEC TEER0/1 CLB/NCLC7 and TEER2/3 level5; FST speaking/listening5 reading/writing4; results less than2years at profile and application.
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