Skilled Worker

There are now four classes of skilled worker visas including the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the Canada Experience Class (CEC), eleven Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) and the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW) program. With the exception of the Quebec Skilled Worker stream, all have a preliminary round called Express Entry.

The best known immigrant stream is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) which allows the applicant to be his own sponsor on the basis of objective criteria such as language proficiency (English or French), education, age, work experience and a spouse’s language proficiency.

FSWP also features a company sponsorship (“arranged employment”) track for companies wishing to sponsor a foreign worker to permanent residency.

Whether applicants are able to nominate themselves or receive arranged employment, the Canadian government has recently introduced a preliminary round to most skilled worker applicants called Express Entry. In force as of January 1, 2015, applicants who wish to immigrate to Canada (Quebec is excluded here), must now first register an “Expression of Interest” (EOI). A grade, called a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is then computed based on a criterion of factors in the EOI stage. Score sufficiently high and you receive a precious “invitation” to formally apply under one of the three economic programs.

  • For more information about the preliminary round of Express Entry, click here.
  • For more information about the Federal Skilled Worker Program, click here.
  • For more information about Arranged Employment, click here.
  • For more information about a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), click here.
  • For more information about the Quebec Skilled Worker (QSW), click here.

If you are an employer or recruiter wishing to sponsor a foreign-worker in Canada, please consult our corporate space for or click here.