One of the most prominent programs managed by the Canada Express Entry System is the Federal Skilled Worker Visa Program. Professionals of all countries across the world with eligible skills and qualification that are high in demand in Canada and who have an extensive ability to fulfill the requirements of Canadian Immigration can apply for a Permanent Resident visa under Federal Skilled worker program and settle permanently in Canada.
Six selection factors – Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
We use selection factor points to help assess your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
We’ll assess your selection factors and assign an overall score out of 100.
If you score 67 points or higher, you may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
If you meet the other requirements too, you can submit a profile to the Express Entry pool. Once you’re in the Express Entry pool, we use a different system to rank your profile.
If you score lower than 67 points, you won’t qualify for the program. You may be able to get a higher score by doing things like:
- improving your language skills
- completing another degree, diploma, or certificate
- receiving an offer of arranged employment in Canada
Language Skills (maximum 28 points)
It’s very important to be able to communicate in 1 or both of Canada’s official languages. Knowing English, French or both helps you in the Canadian job market.
You can get up to 28 points for your language skills in English and French. We’ll give you points based on your ability to:
- write
- read
- listen
- speak
Language testing
You must take an approved language test to prove your language levels.
To measure your English or French levels, we use:
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French
You must get a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 for 1 official language in all 4 language areas. To get points for the second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all 4 language areas.
Once you take the language test, you can use it to see exactly how many points we’ll give you for the language selection factor.
Find out more about language testing and how to get tested.
Calculate your language points
First official language (maximum 24 points)
Check the table below and add the points that match your skill level:
| Points | ||||
| First official language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
| CLB level 9 or higher | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB level 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB level 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Below CLB level 7 | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply | Not eligible to apply |
Second official language (maximum 4 points)
You can get 4 points only if you have a score of at least CLB 5 in each of the 4 language abilities.
| Second official language | Points |
| At least CLB 5 in all of the 4 abilities | 4 |
| CLB 4 or less in any of the 4 abilities | 0 |
Education (maximum 25 points)
Work experience (maximum 15 points)
Age (maximum 12 points)
Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)
Adaptability (maximum 10 points)