It’s safe to say that 2022 is going to be a very different year as compared to 2021. The pandemic is definitely under control, international travel has opened up, the job situation is looking good, and it’s extremely likely that there is going to be an Express Entry draw for Federal Skilled Worker Program this year.

Understanding FSWP Eligibility

Wondering whether you are eligible under the FSWP? Well, you will be assessed for FSWP on the basis of six selection factors and must score at least 67 points out of the maximum 100 points to be eligible for an ITA.

Parameter	Maximum Score
Language	28 points
Education	25 points
Work Experience	15 points
Age	12 points
Arranged Employment	10 points
Adaptability	10 points

At first glance, it may seem as boosting your educational qualifications is the best way to boost your chances of qualifying for an EE ITA under the FSWP. However, this is easier said than done because the highest score of 25 points is available only to those with a Ph.D.

On the other hand, a Bachelors degree will help you score 21 points, which means you will have to put in quite a lot of time and effort to score the additional four points for the Doctorate.

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Education Score- 21 points

In comparison, it may be much easier for you to get these additional four points through good language proficiency in English as well as French. A score of CLB 9 or higher in your first language will help you score 24 points on this selection factor.

You can get an additional four points if you have CLB 5 or higher proficiency in the second language. So, if English is your first language, then NCLC 5 or higher proficiency in French will help you boost your language score to 28 points.

Language Score- 28 points

Total Score- 49 points

If your age is between 18 and 35 years, then there’s an additional 12 points there.

Age Score- 12 points

Total Score- 61 points

You need at least one year of work experience related to your NOC code to be eligible to apply through the FSWP. You will get 9 points for this.

Work Experience- 9 points

Total Score- 70 points

With a score of 70 points, you are now eligible to enter the Express Entry pool through the Federal Skilled Worker program. And we have not yet considered the Arranged Employment in Canada and Adaptability factors.

The What-Ifs

Now, let us consider a few what-if scenarios and assess how you can still be eligible for an ITA.

What if you are not proficient in French? Then you need to work extra hard on your English and make sure you score the maximum of 24 points available for proficiency in the first language.

This means 24 points in Language factor will bring your score down from 70 points to 66 points.

You can now become eligible by adding a year of work experience and getting 11 points for 2-3 years of work experience. Your work experience points will increase from 9 to 11 points, and you will have 68 points now.

Or, you can focus on a job offer from a Canadian employer, which will give you a 10-point boost and raise your score to 76 points with one year work experience.

Or, add your spouse to your application and immigrate together. CLB 4 or higher proficiency in English or French will add 5 points to your score, which will rise from 66 points to 71 points.

Or it will help if you or your spouse have Canadian study or work experience or if either of you have a relative in Canada.

FSWP Eligibility—Maximum Score in One Selection Factor

High language proficiency score combined with a Bachelors degree will ease up all other factors and simplify the process of qualifying under the FSWP. Of course, a Masters degree or having study experience in Canada as well as getting points for presence of relatives in Canada will give you greater leeway on your language proficiency.

The important thing is here is to work smart and try to score the highest on one or two factors. Learning French can be a smart move because you can then score higher in the FSWP grid, qualify for the LMIA-exempt Francophone work permit, and even consider no-job immigration options under various Provincial Nomination Programs.

Working with an immigration attorney from the very beginning can help you chart a clear path to Canada immigration without any major disruptions to your professional career. You can leverage your strengths and focus on ways to easily boost your score if you have the right professional guidance in hand.