New Federal Skilled Worker Program to Launch May 4 2013

Posted on December 19, 2012 by CICS Immigration Team

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced today that the long-awaited Federal Skilled Worker Program will be launched on May 4th 2013 (Citizenship and Immigration Canada)

Citizenship and Immigration Canada announced today that the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) will re-open on May 4 2013 with the new selection rules.

CIC closed the FSWP to new applications in July 2012, saying it needed time to reduce the program back-log and re-design the point system used to select immigrants to better meet Canada’s economic needs.

The re-launched FSWP will award more points for youth and English/French language proficiency, factors CIC says its body of research shows contribute to economic success for immigrants.

FSW applicants will need to meet the Canadian Language Benchmark 7 standard for English proficiency to qualify for the program, which is the equivalent to scoring 6 on the IELTS, the most widely taken English language assessment test.

The new FSWP selection rules will also utilize an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) process that will be introduced with the program, which will award points for foreign educational credentials based on assessments of their equivalent value in Canada.

A list of organizations designated by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to do the assessments will be released in early 2013.

“For too long, too many immigrants to Canada have experienced underemployement and unemployment, and this has been detrimental to these newcomers and to the Canadian economy,” said Kenney.

“Our transformational changes to the FSWP will help ensure that skilled newcomers are able to contribute their skills fully to the economy as soon as possible. This is good for newcomers, good for the economy, and good for all Canadians.”

CIC also said that new FSWP applications will be processed in months, instead of years, owing to the work the department has done in reducing the existent backlog and limits the program will put in place in quantity of applications it will accept.

Federal Skilled Worker Program fact-sheet

Maximum points awarded for a principal applicant’s proficiency in a first official language increased from 16 to 24 points, in proficiency in a second official language reduced from 8 to 4 points
Maximum of 12 points awarded to applicants aged 19 to 35, with decreasing points awarded until age 46
Maximum number of points awarded for foreign work experience reduced from 21 to 15
Points awarded for spousal education replaced with a maximum of 4 points awarded for spousal language proficiency
Maximum of 10 points awarded for Canadian work experience
Points awarded for foreign education credentials to be determined by an assessment of the foreign credential’s equivalent value in Canada as assessed by an organization that is designated to provide credential assessment and authentication

198 thoughts on “New Federal Skilled Worker Program to Launch May 4 2013”

prashant on December 21, 2012 at 9:06 am said:

Can I know what will be minimum IELTS score required to qualify for fsw program,
i.e what are the minimum scores required for the year 2013?

1. Listening
2. Speaking
3. Reading
4. Writing

waiting for your reply

prashant

Reply ↓
- CICS Immigration editor on December 24, 2012 at 10:36 am said:
  
  The minimum IELTS score for each ability is 6 points.
  
  Reply ↓
  - prashant on April 4, 2013 at 11:35 pm said:
    
    Thanks for your reply! Sir, to get minimum 6 band in reading IELTS-GT how many questions should be correct out of 40 question? Thanking you! Please reply.
    
    Reply ↓
    - deeban on October 11, 2013 at 9:30 am said:
      
      you need write 3o answers correctly
      
      Reply ↓
  - prashant on April 4, 2013 at 11:55 pm said:
    
    Sir, I forgot to mention one more point- in ielts-general reading to get minimun 6 band, corrects answers should be in between 23-28 or 28-30 ?
    
    Reply ↓
- darshit patel on June 28, 2013 at 7:16 am said:
  
  how many bands are require for the fsw plan
  
  Reply ↓
Magsi Abdul Hayee on December 23, 2012 at 7:19 am said:

Listening 8 bands = 6 points
Speaking 7 bands = 6 points
Reading 7 bands = 6 points
Writing 7 bands = 6 points
Now you calculate what level of band could you require to complete your score.
Regards
Magsi

Reply ↓
- darshit patel on June 28, 2013 at 7:23 am said:
  
  i don’t understand this point systems
  
  Reply ↓
Bukky on December 24, 2012 at 2:24 am said:

Please, I want to find out if the IELTS certificate submitted last two years for the immigration is still valid, since I was unable to make the passmark of 67 or do I have to do another one. I had another name on it but will be using a new name for my new application, will the result still be tentative. In the listening aspect of the exam, I had a band of 6.5. Please, what point is awarded for that. Thank you.

Reply ↓
- CICS Immigration editor on December 24, 2012 at 10:41 am said:
  
  Language test results, including those of the IELTS, must not be more than two years old to be valid.
  
  Reply ↓
prashant on December 26, 2012 at 8:40 am said:

Hello CICS Immigration editor,
Thanks for your reply! I meant in L,R,W and Spking what is the minimum IELTS band score ( out of 9 ) required? Please let me know.
Thanking you!

with regards
prashant

Reply ↓
kaiser on December 29, 2012 at 12:25 am said:

Dear sir,
Good afternoon. may i want know that if i score like
Listening 7 bands
Speaking 6.5 bands
Reading 6.5 bands
Writing 6.5 bands
therefore ,what points i will achieved for federal skill coming 4th may?

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Gerly Ann on January 3, 2013 at 9:03 am said:

Sorry but i am having a hard time calculating, i got an obs of 6.5. Writing 6.5, listening is 6. Reading and speaking is 7. What is my CLB? Thanks! I still intend to retake the exam for broader options but if this means enough for canada’s fsw, i would settle my papers for my application once the fswp reopens. Thanks

Reply ↓
MEENAKSHI on January 4, 2013 at 1:26 am said:

I am a MBA- HR and having HR work experience of 4 years 9 months. My overall Band score is 7.0 W 6.5 L 6.5 R 7.0 S 6.5, I am an Indian and looking to work in Canada. My spouse is Masters of Law and practicing independently as a taxation lawyer from 3 years. Can we apply Immigration under Skilled Workers category in May 2013.

Reply ↓
- deeban on October 11, 2013 at 9:32 am said:
  
  yes indeed you can
  
  Reply ↓
Starlet on January 4, 2013 at 11:57 pm said:

Hi. I have a question. Why is it that the site for Manitoba does not open anymore? Did Manitoba stop thr immigration program? I am interested about the Family support stream for Manitoba but i cant locate the information / site about it. Kindly help me. Thanks.

Reply ↓
PARAMJOT SINGH on January 5, 2013 at 6:57 am said:

Will there be any particular NOC category to apply for fswp after May 4, 2013? Or all are eligible?

Reply ↓
Ksenija Trpkovic on January 6, 2013 at 12:12 am said:

Kindly confirm if -DENTIST- is going to be on the list of NOC for 2013 ( New Federal Skilled Worker Program).
Thank you.

Reply ↓
Mark Jefferson Grospe on January 10, 2013 at 12:29 pm said:

Hello CIC,

What will be the type of IELTS exam needed for the skilled worker program under the professional level as a nurse. Is it an academic or general training? Thank you so much and hope you will reply…

Reply ↓
- CICS Immigration editor on January 10, 2013 at 7:19 pm said:
  
  Hi, to clarify, we are CICS, an immigration consulting firm, not CIC, which is Canada’s immigration department.
  
  You need the general training exam.
  
  Reply ↓
rajesh gyawali on January 11, 2013 at 7:48 am said:

please kindly clarify me about the noc list of occupation.will it accept the same old category of 2012 or change it? thanks

Reply ↓
Maulik on January 26, 2013 at 10:48 pm said:

Hello,

I am from India, below is my IELTS score, appreciate, if one can update me on points.

L – 6.5
R – 5.0
S – 6.5
W – 6.0

Thanks.,
Maulik

Reply ↓
Darshan on February 4, 2013 at 12:57 am said:

Hello,
I just want to know about 2013 open categories for PR

Reply ↓
Meher on February 8, 2013 at 5:54 pm said:

Hi want to know what are the job categories for federal skilled workers program
What occupations are open to new applicants?

Reply ↓
SYED on February 19, 2013 at 12:24 am said:

HELLO,
i WANT TO KNOW THAT I AM RUNNING IN 47 AND I HAVE MORE THAN 25 YEARS EXPERIENCE PURE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT . I HAVE 8-MEMBERS FAMILY . MY IELTS SCORE IS 5 OR 6 BAND AND I HAVE 40000 THOUSAND CANADIAN DOLLARS .JUST I WANT TO KNOW THAT I WILL BE QUALIFY OR NOT?

Reply ↓
rosell palacios on February 21, 2013 at 1:52 am said:

i want to know the number of points will i get if i have relatives in canada.

thank you

Reply ↓
Mabel Rojas on February 21, 2013 at 6:01 am said:

Hi,
I am 45 years old and I would to know how many points i will get.

Thanks,

Reply ↓
rhom on February 21, 2013 at 6:01 pm said:

6.0 Band score and above in IELTS is for higher skilled workers, but what about for the lower skilled workers, what band score should we get? I have some friends who’s been told that they only need a 5.0 band score(General Training Category in IELTS) for their application going to Manitoba. I am going to Saskatchewan, Saskatoon and i am wondering what band score(Also General Training Category) should i get for a lower skilled worker(waiter to be exact).

Reply ↓
Devendra on February 25, 2013 at 8:34 pm said:

Hi,

As per the post, the new FSW will be launched on 4th May 2013.
Does it mean that – can I send my application in advance (e.g. a week) so that it is received at Canada on or after 4th May 2013?
Or Do I need to send my application only after 4th May 2013?
The reason for this is that it may take time for the application to reach to Canada from India, and I am afraid that the cap may get full by then.
Kindly reply.
Thank you very much.

Reply ↓
- CICS Immigration Editor on February 25, 2013 at 10:34 pm said:
  
  Hi,
  
  You will not be able to complete the application until the immigration department releases the application forms, which will not happen until May 4th 2013.
  
  -CICS News Team
  
  Reply ↓
  - frhbpl on July 15, 2013 at 4:29 am said:
    
    Dear Sir, I want to know about spouce education points in bangladesh
    
    Reply ↓
Raju on February 26, 2013 at 1:06 am said:

Hi, I m from nepal. I had passed Msc in physics and now working as a lecturer for 4 years. Can I apply for FSW programme(in physics) if i scored minimum IELTS score 6 on each Band.

Reply ↓
Anja on February 27, 2013 at 3:53 am said:

I would like to know if the english test from TOEFL is valid for the programm FSW 2013

Looking forward for your reply
Anja

Reply ↓
Dapo on February 28, 2013 at 4:50 am said:

My scores are Listening 6.5 , Reading 6.5 , Writing 7.0 ,Speaking 7.5 Overall i scored 7.0 Kindly advise if these scores are sufficient to apply for the 2013 Canadian FSW.

Reply ↓
Lola on February 28, 2013 at 4:53 am said:

My IELTS scores are: Listening 7.0 , Reading 6.5 , Writing 6.0 ,Speaking 7.0 . Overall i scored 6.5 Kindly advise if these scores are sufficient to apply for the 2013 Canadian FSW.

Reply ↓
Folami on February 28, 2013 at 5:02 am said:

My IELT scores are Listening 6.5 , Reading 6.5 , Writing 7.0 , Speaking 7.5 . My overall band score is 7.0 . Kindly advise if these scores are sufficient to apply for the 2013 Canadian FSW. I await your advice . Thank you.

Reply ↓
erick on March 10, 2013 at 4:37 pm said:

hello host do i need to take ielts prior to application process or is it more practical to wait for the priority list?

Reply ↓
Sashi on March 19, 2013 at 4:09 am said:

I have completed MCA and five years of experience in IT Field. What are my chances to get a work permit in canada? What are the procedures to get a work permit in canada? Am i eligible to get a work permit without getting any employment offer?

Reply ↓
Pratik on March 20, 2013 at 5:32 am said:

Hi..
My maternal aunt is at canada, i want to know can i get any benefit of relative points…..

Reply ↓
S Das on March 24, 2013 at 10:15 am said:

Hi, from where will we get the ECA done? will the agencies also be announced 4th May 2013? So as I understand, I get the ECA done, then on CIC website I do EOI check, if I get an email confirmation I send my complete application with documents to CIC. I am already a PR holder, trying to know for my sister who is a homeopath private practitioner. During my time, I only sent application, got an email with file number, then sent all documents with PCC, fund etc, got another confirmation, then did medical and got my VISA. will it be the same process this time? or after ECA and EOI check, we have to send all documents along with medical, IELTs, PCC etc at the same time.

Reply ↓
christabel on March 25, 2013 at 12:27 pm said:

Hello,
Since IELTS Academic is higher that the general, but I know they specified that they want the general. I have overall 7.5 in IELTS Academic will they accept it?

Secondly I am an Optometrist with 2 solid year of experience ,am 28 years old
will they accept my profession and the Academic IELTS
Please I will be waiting for your feedback
Kind regarsd

Reply ↓
- CICS Immigration Editor on March 26, 2013 at 3:14 am said:
  
  Hi,
  
  CIC requires IELTS General results.
  
  -CICS Immigration
  
  Reply ↓

198 thoughts on “New Federal Skilled Worker Program to Launch May 4 2013”

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