FAQ – Federal Skilled Workers
In this article, I will address detailed questions and answers for foreign nationals who would like to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The Federal Skilled Worker Program was intended for skilled foreign workers to be chosen for permanent residency in Canada based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English or French, and other qualifying factors. The foreign national must have strong qualifications in order to be selected for permanent residency as they are specifically selected from a pool of candidates. In order to discover more information about the Federal Skilled Worker Program, please continue reading this article or refer to our article on “Federal Skilled Worker Jobs that Lead to Permanent Residence.” The intention of this article is meant to clarify any questions or information you would like to know with regards to the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Q: How do I qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker category?
A: In order to qualify and be eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker category in Canadian Immigration, the skilled foreign worker must have the following requirements met:
- Must have a minimum of one year continuous full-time, or equivalent in part-time, work experience in the last 10 years in a skilled occupation;
- Must have experience in a skilled occupation in the National Occupational Classification skill level 0, A or B; or,
- Must qualify for Arranged Employment supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment; or,
- Must have completed a doctorate degree from a recognized learning institution in Canada; or,
- Must have completed a minimum of two years of study at a recognized learning institution in Canada towards a doctorate degree.
In addition to the above eligibility requirements, applicants who would like to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker program will also need to have sufficient funds to settle permanently in Canada. They must also meet the minimum requirements for language abilities in either English and/or French; they are Canada’s two official languages. Furthermore, in order to qualify in the program, applicants must also have a minimum of 67 points based on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) 6 selection factors.
Q: Is it possible to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program even though I have less than 67 points?
A: Even though you may have 67 points, whether you qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker program entirely depends on the discretion of the Immigration officer. Canadian Immigration accepts skilled foreign workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada based on several factors and their ability to establish themselves economically within Canada. The Immigration officer can use their discretion if they believe that the points given to the candidate do not reflect their skills, work experience as well as their ability to establish themselves. Therefore, the Immigration officer can choose to use their discretion, also referred to as a substituted evaluation, to accept the application, even if the applicant did not meet the minimum points threshold. As a result, the Immigration officer will assess several different factors, apart from the points, to determine whether the applicant should be accepted or not.
Q: When applying under the Federal Skilled Worker category, who may I include in my application?
A: When and if you apply under the Federal Skilled Worker category, you may include any of the following family members in your application:
- Spouse or Common-law partner
- Dependent children and/or the dependent children of the accompanying spouse or common-law partner
- Dependent children of the applicant’s dependent children
- Dependent children of the dependent children of the accompanying spouse or common-law partner
Q: Is work experience a requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker category?
A: Yes, work experience is most definitely a requirement for the Federal Skilled Worker category. It is also one of the eligibility requirements in order to qualify for the program. Therefore, you must have a minimum of one year full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time experience, in Canada, in any occupation at a skill level that is recognized by IRCC. Please refer to the above for the required skill levels.
Q: Does my work experience have to relate to my education in order to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker program?
A: No, your work experience does not have to relate to your education in order to qualify under this program. So long as the applicant is performing the job duties set out in the occupation, as well as the NOC code, that they are claiming for their work experience, they would qualify. It is very important to determine that you are, in fact, performing the job duties.
Q: Will my work experience obtained during my post-secondary studies in Canada be credited towards my work experience?
A: Yes, any work experience gained in Canada, even during your post-secondary studies, can be credited towards your work experience. This all depends on whether the work was paid and whether you have adequately performed the job duties in an occupation that is in a skill level that is recognized by IRCC. Please refer to the above for the required skill levels.
Contact Akrami & Associates
Should you have any further questions or need further information about the Federal Skilled Worker program, it is important to do proper research and ask several questions before applying for under this program. By doing the appropriate research and asking questions prior to submitting the application, this will ease your worries and assist you with the application process. Many immigration applications are difficult to pursue on your own and it is highly recommended that you seek out professional and experienced help before attempting to apply. Here, at Akrami & Associates, we work and have experience with many different immigration issues. We have helped many of our clients obtain permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker program. If you believe that you may be eligible to apply under this program, please feel free to contact Akrami & Associates at our office at 416-477-2545 for more information or if you would like to book a consultation with an immigration professional for more advice.
With Akrami & Associates, there is always a way!