The FSWP is managed by the Express Entry system, which issues invitations to apply for Canadian permanent residence through regular draws from its pool of candidates. Only those candidates who are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) may then submit an application for Canadian permanent residence.

There is no eligible occupations list in place. Applicants need to have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in an occupation classified under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) as skill level A or B or skill type 0.

If you successfully receive an Express Entry invitation to apply for permanent residence, you will be asked to submit the following documents under the FSWP in support of your permanent residence application:

• appropriate application forms, signed and completed;
• appropriate Canadian government processing fees;
• identity and civil status documents;
• travel documents and passports;
• evidence of education training/professional qualifications;
• evidence of work experience;
• evidence of points claimed, if any, under the adaptability factor;
• police certificates and clearances;
• proof of settlement funds.

All candidates who receive an invitation to apply are also required to submit the following supporting documents along with their e-application:

• Valid passport
• Documentation attesting to work experience
• Police clearance certificate(s)
• Upfront medical information tracking sheet
• Photographs of principal applicant and family members

It is important to note that many Canadian Immigration Visa Offices have their own specific document requirements that must be respected in order to avoid having an application returned, delayed or even refused.

Under the FSWP, the following family members may be included in an application:

• the principal applicant’s spouse or common-law partner;
• the principal applicant’s dependent children and the dependent children of the accompanying spouse or common-law partner, up to 22 years of age;
• the dependent children of the principal applicant’s dependent children, and the dependent children of the dependent children of the accompanying spouse or common-law partner.

Work experience does not have to be related to the candidate’s education, as long as he or she is performing or has performed the duties of the occupation for which he or she is claiming points.

A valid offer of employment is not required in order to qualify under the FSWP, but one could get you up to 15 points and thereby improve your chances of being eligible. Furthermore, a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you can earn between 50 and 200 points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), depending on the type of job.

Ways to improve your score include:

• Obtain all the CRS points you are eligible for
• If your spouse or partner (if applicable) has a higher CRS score than you, list them as the principal applicant
• Study hard for your language test. Retake the test if necessary to get a score you are satisfied with
• Try to secure an eligible job offer or try to secure a provincial nomination

Click here for more information on how you can increase your Express Entry CRS score.

Yes, a candidate will be awarded points under the Adaptability Factor if he or she, or his or her accompanying spouse or common-law partner, has a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and who is currently residing in Canada. To qualify as a close relative, the Canadian citizen or permanent resident must be a child, mother or father, brother or sister, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, grandchild or grandparent.

Express Entry is the main way Canada welcomes new skilled workers and the FSWP is among three skilled worker programs managed under Express Entry. Canada aims to welcome an average of 110,000 new immigrants through Express Entry each year. Most of these immigrants arrive under the FSWP and the Canadian Experience Class program.