What are the Federal Skilled Worker Program requirements?

IRCC lists three minimum requirements and a points test. The work experience must be at least 1 year of continuous paid work, or 1,560 hours, in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job within the last 10 years. Language tests must show CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities. Education must be a Canadian credential or a foreign one with an educational credential assessment. The candidate then needs 67 points or higher out of 100, proof of funds, admissibility, and a plan to live outside Quebec.

How are the 67 points for the Federal Skilled Worker Program calculated?

IRCC scores six selection factors and adds them into a score out of 100. Language skills are worth up to 28 points, education up to 25, skilled work experience up to 15, age up to 12, arranged employment in Canada up to 10, and adaptability up to 10. A score of 67 or higher means the person may qualify and can submit an Express Entry profile. A score lower than 67 means the person does not qualify for the program.

Is there an official FSW points calculator?

IRCC's Federal Skilled Worker page sets out the 67-point grid as a table for each factor rather than as a calculator, and the education points are in a table on its educational credential assessment page. Those tables are reproduced on this page, with a worked example that adds them up. IRCC's own online calculator is for the Comprehensive Ranking System, the separate score out of 1,200 used to rank profiles in the pool.

What is the difference between the 67 points and the CRS score?

They are two separate point systems. The 67-point grid is a pass or fail test out of 100 that decides whether a person qualifies for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a score out of 1,200 that ranks every profile in the Express Entry pool, and IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates. IRCC states that the selection factor points are different from the points used to rank a profile.

What CLB level is needed for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

The minimum is CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French, in all 4 abilities: writing, reading, listening and speaking. IRCC's points table shows a result below CLB 7 in an ability as not eligible to apply. CLB 7 earns 4 points per ability, CLB 8 earns 5, and CLB 9 or higher earns 6. Test results must be less than 2 years old when the profile is completed and when the application is submitted.

How much proof of funds does the Federal Skilled Worker Program need?

The amount depends on family size and starts at $15,263 for a single person, in the table IRCC has had in effect since July 7, 2025. The family count includes a spouse or common-law partner and dependent children even when they are not coming to Canada. A person who is currently able to legally work in Canada and has a valid job offer from an employer in Canada does not need proof of funds.

Does a job offer help with the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Yes, for eligibility. A valid job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer, in one of the four situations IRCC describes, is worth 10 points for arranged employment and another 5 points under adaptability. It does not add ranking points: IRCC removed job offer points from the Comprehensive Ranking System as of March 25, 2025, while confirming that job offers used for program eligibility are unchanged.

Is there an age limit for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

No age limit is listed, but age points run out. IRCC gives 12 points to anyone aged 18 to 35 on the day it gets the application, then 1 point less for each year of age: 11 points at 36, down to 1 point at 46. Applicants who are 47 and older, or under 18, get 0 points for age and need the 67 points from the other five factors.

Does work experience outside Canada count for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Yes. IRCC says the skilled work experience can be obtained in Canada or abroad, as long as it falls within the last 10 years, is paid, is in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation, and matches the NOC of the primary occupation named in the application. IRCC describes the program as being for skilled workers who have foreign work experience and want to become permanent residents.

Does work experience gained while studying count?

It can. IRCC says work experience gained while studying may count towards the minimum requirements if the work was paid by wages or commissions, was continuous with no gaps in employment, and meets all the other requirements of the program. For selection factor points, IRCC also counts work done while studying and work done while self-employed.

How much does a Federal Skilled Worker Program application cost?

IRCC's fee list shows $1,590 for the principal applicant, which is the $990 processing fee plus the $600 right of permanent residence fee. Including a spouse or common-law partner costs another $1,590, and each dependent child costs $270. Language tests, the educational credential assessment, medical exams and police certificates are paid separately to the organizations that provide them.

Can a Federal Skilled Worker applicant settle in Quebec?

No. IRCC requires Federal Skilled Worker applicants to plan to live outside the province of Quebec, because Quebec selects its own skilled workers. Work experience gained while living in Quebec can still be counted, as long as the applicant can prove there is no plan to settle there. IRCC asks for that proof and says officers check it.

Federal Skilled Worker Program: 67-Point Grid and Rules

Federal Skilled Worker 67-point grid: maximum points by selection factor

How to read this table: the six factors add up to the total row. The detailed table for each factor is further down the page.

Selection factor	Maximum points	What the points are based on
Language skills	28	First official language up to 24 points (up to 6 per ability); second official language 4 points.
Education	25	Level of the Canadian credential, or of the foreign credential as shown on the educational credential assessment report.
Skilled work experience	15	Number of years of skilled work, in Canada or abroad.
Age	12	Age on the day IRCC gets the application.
Arranged employment in Canada	10	A valid job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer, in 1 of the 4 situations IRCC lists.
Adaptability	10	Ties to Canada of the applicant and of a spouse or common-law partner who will immigrate too.
Total	100	Pass mark: 67 points or higher.

Federal Skilled Worker Program minimum requirements

How to read this table: the first five rows all apply to the same skilled work experience. The selection factor points are only assessed once the work, language and education minimums are met.

Requirement	What IRCC requires
Skilled work experience: skill level	National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, in the same NOC as the primary occupation used for the application.
Skilled work experience: duties	The actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description and most of the main duties listed.
Skilled work experience: when and where	Obtained within the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad.
Skilled work experience: pay	Paid work: wages or commission. Volunteer work and unpaid internships don't count.
Skilled work experience: amount	At least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week). Hours above 30 a week are not counted.
Language ability	Approved English or French tests, with CLB 7 (English) or NCLC 7 (French) in all 4 abilities: writing, reading, listening and speaking.
Education	A certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution, or a completed foreign credential with an educational credential assessment for immigration purposes.
Selection factors	67 points or higher out of 100 on the 6 selection factors.
Proof of funds	Enough money for the applicant and family to settle in Canada, unless currently able to legally work in Canada with a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
Admissibility	The applicant must be admissible to Canada. IRCC gives security, criminal or medical reasons as examples of why a person may not be admitted.
Where to live	The applicant must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. A provincial nominee must settle in the nominating province or territory.

How IRCC counts 1 year of skilled work experience for the Federal Skilled Worker Program

How to read this table: part-time work can be more or less than 15 hours a week, across more than one job, as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours.

Work pattern	IRCC's example	Counts as
Full time at 1 job	Up to 30 hours a week for 12 months	1 year full time (1,560 hours)
Equal amount in part-time work	15 hours a week for 24 months	1 year full time (1,560 hours)
Full time at more than 1 job	30 hours a week for 12 months at more than 1 job	1 year full time (1,560 hours)

FSW points for the first official language, by ability

How to read this table: each ability is scored on its own, so mixed results are added ability by ability. The last column is the total when all 4 abilities are at the same level. CLB levels are for English tests; the French equivalent is NCLC.

Level	Speaking	Listening	Reading	Writing	All 4 at this level
CLB 9 or higher	6	6	6	6	24
CLB 8	5	5	5	5	20
CLB 7	4	4	4	4	16
Below CLB 7	Not eligible to apply	Not eligible to apply	Not eligible to apply	Not eligible to apply	Not eligible to apply

FSW points for the second official language

How to read this table: there are no partial points: one ability at CLB 4 or less means 0 points for the second language.

Second language result	Points
At least CLB 5 in all of the 4 abilities	4
CLB 4 or less in any of the 4 abilities	0

FSW points for education, by level

How to read this table: IRCC's full table lists every possible wording on an ECA report next to one of these levels. For the 'two or more' level, each credential needs its own assessment.

Level of education	Points
University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level	25
University degree at the Master's level	23
Professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession	23
Two or more certificates, diplomas, or degrees (at least 1 for a program of 3 or more years)	22
Bachelor's degree or other programs (three or more years) at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute	21
Two-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute	19
One-year degree, diploma or certificate from a program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or other institute	15
Secondary school (high school diploma)	5

FSW points for years of skilled work experience

How to read this table: the 1 year needed to meet the minimum requirement already earns the first row of points.

Skilled work experience	Points
1 year	9
2-3 years	11
4-5 years	13
6 or more years	15

FSW points for age

How to read this table: age is taken on the day IRCC gets the application.

Age	Points
Under 18	0
18-35	12
36	11
37	10
38	9
39	8
40	7
41	6
42	5
43	4
44	3
45	2
46	1
47 and older	0

What makes a job offer valid for FSW arranged employment points

How to read this table: all five conditions apply to the same offer.

Condition	Rule
Type of work	Continuous, paid, full-time work: a minimum of 30 hours a week.
Not seasonal	Seasonal work does not qualify.
Length	For at least 1 year.
Skill level	An occupation listed in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC.
Ability to do the job	IRCC must be convinced the applicant can do the job and, if the occupation is regulated in Canada, can become licensed or certified once in Canada.

The four situations where a valid job offer earns FSW arranged employment points

How to read this table: only one situation needs to apply. LMIA stands for labour market impact assessment, issued by Employment and Social Development Canada.

Situation	Who it covers	Conditions that must all be met
Situation 1	Working in Canada on a work permit issued on a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA)	The permit is valid when applying and when the permanent resident visa is issued; the LMIA is for a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation; the applicant works for the employer named on the permit; that employer made the valid job offer.
Situation 2	Working in Canada in a job exempt from the LMIA under an international agreement, significant benefit to Canadian interests or a federal-provincial agreement	The permit is valid when applying and when the visa is issued; the current employer made the valid job offer; the applicant works for the employer on the permit and has done so for at least 1 year, continuous full-time or part-time equivalent.
Situation 3	No work permit, or no plan to work in Canada before getting the permanent resident visa	An employer has an LMIA and made a valid job offer based on that LMIA and on the applicant being accepted as a skilled worker.
Situation 4	Working in Canada in an LMIA-exempt job that is not under an international or federal-provincial agreement or significant benefit	The applicant has a valid work permit or is allowed to work without one; an employer other than the current one has an LMIA and made a valid job offer based on it.

FSW adaptability points

How to read this table: elements can be added together up to the cap. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week.

Element	What counts	Points
Spouse or partner's language level	CLB 4 or higher in English or French in all 4 abilities, with test results from an approved agency that are valid on the day of the permanent residence application.	5
Applicant's past studies in Canada	At least 2 academic years of full-time study (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, in good academic standing.	5
Spouse or partner's past studies in Canada	At least 2 academic years of full-time study (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, in good academic standing.	5
Applicant's past work in Canada	At least 1 year of full-time work in Canada in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 job, with a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.	10
Spouse or partner's past work in Canada	At least 1 year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.	5
Arranged employment in Canada	The applicant earned points for arranged employment.	5
Relatives in Canada	The applicant or spouse has a relative living in Canada who is 18 or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident: a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, sibling, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew.	5

FSW 67-point selection grid compared with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

How to read this table: the selection grid is a one-time eligibility test for this program. The CRS score is what is compared with the cut-off in each round of invitations.

Feature	FSW selection grid	CRS
What it decides	Whether a person qualifies for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and can submit a profile to the Express Entry pool.	Where a profile ranks in the Express Entry pool, and so who is invited to apply.
Scale	Score out of 100.	Score out of 1,200.
Threshold	Fixed pass mark: 67 points or higher.	No fixed pass mark. IRCC invites the highest-ranking candidates in each round.
Who is scored	Federal Skilled Worker candidates only.	All Express Entry candidates.
Job offer	A valid job offer (arranged employment) is worth 10 points, plus 5 adaptability points.	No points: job offer points were removed as of March 25, 2025.
Age	Full 12 points from 18 to 35, then 1 point less per year, down to 0 at 47 and older.	Full points from 20 to 29 years of age, with fewer points from 30 years of age.

Settlement funds required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, by family size

How to read this table: count the applicant, a spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children, including family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents or who are not coming to Canada.

Number of family members	Funds required (CAD)
1	$15,263
2	$19,001
3	$23,360
4	$28,362
5	$32,168
6	$36,280
7	$40,392

Source: Express Entry: Proof of funds - Canada.ca; Express Entry: Proof of funds - Canada.ca (update rule). In effect from July 7, 2025; checked October 11, 2026.

IRCC fees for a Federal Skilled Worker Program application

How to read this table: the two 'total' rows already include the right of permanent residence fee. Add one total per adult and one child fee per dependent child.

Fee	Amount (CAD)	Details
Principal applicant: processing fee	$990	Listed as "Your application (without right of permanent residence fee)".
Right of permanent residence fee	$600	Paid by the principal applicant and by an accompanying spouse or partner; not charged for dependent children.
Principal applicant: total	$1,590	The processing fee plus the right of permanent residence fee, not an extra charge.
Spouse or common-law partner: total	$1,590	Processing fee of $990 plus the right of permanent residence fee of $600.
Dependent child	$270	Per child.

Rule or table	In effect from	Verified
Federal Skilled Worker Program minimum requirements and 67-point selection factor grid	September 24, 2026	October 11, 2026
Proof of settlement funds (Express Entry: FSW/FST)	July 7, 2025	October 11, 2026
Express Entry proof of funds: who needs it, family size and bank letter rules	July 7, 2025	October 11, 2026
Express Entry minimum language levels by program and FSW language points	June 22, 2026	September 30, 2026
Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System points grid	March 25, 2025	September 29, 2026
IRCC application fees	April 30, 2026	October 8, 2026

Federal Skilled Worker Program 2026: requirements, the 67-point grid, funds and fees

What is the Federal Skilled Worker Program and what are its requirements?

What are the Federal Skilled Worker Program requirements?

How is the 1 year of skilled work experience counted?

How does the 67-point selection grid work?

Language skills (maximum 28 points)

Education (maximum 25 points)

Skilled work experience (maximum 15 points)

Age (maximum 12 points)

Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)

Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

How do the points add up in a worked example?

How does the Federal Skilled Worker Program fit into Express Entry?

What is the difference between the 67-point grid and the CRS?

How much proof of funds does a Federal Skilled Worker need?

What are the fees for a Federal Skilled Worker application?

What are common mistakes with the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

What should a candidate check before creating a profile?

Frequently asked questions

Rules, rates and sources