FSWP and CEC: Knowing the differences

The Canadian Express Entry system controls and governs the online applications for the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). An aspiring candidate might apply for both FSWP and CEC, but for which program he will receive the invite is not their choice.

IRCC invites candidates to apply based on their eligibility, first for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), then for FSWP, and lastly for the Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP). This implies that suppose a candidate qualifies for all three programs, he will receive an invitation to CEC. In a situation where a candidate is eligible for both CEC and FSWP, he will receive an invitation to first apply for CEC.

If a candidate is eligible for both FSTP and FSWP, he will receive an invitation to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

The primary reason for sending the CEC invitations as a priority is that CEC candidates don’t require settlement fund proof. Also, it is observed that candidates qualifying for FSWP and CEC wish to do away with the settlement fund proof requirement.

Candidates under the Federal Skilled Worker Program are permitted to eliminate the above requirement, provided they have a genuine and authentic Canadian employment offer.

As per the Statistics reports, Candidates under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) choose to apply from Canada, whereas those under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) usually select to apply internationally. The candidates can continue to apply depending on whether they meet the eligibility criteria of each program.

Geographical location doesn’t count as the eligibility factor for any of the programs.

Eligibility required: Candian Experience Class

If you are interested in the CEC program, you must first ensure your eligibility for the same. To become eligible for CEC, you must hold at least one year of Canadian work experience. Your work experience should amount to 1,560 hours in the last three years and your occupation must belong to NOC skill levels: 0, A, or B. Your work in Canada should have been under a legal status and must come under the paid category, which implies that voluntary or unpaid work doesn’t count for the work experience required for CEC.

Additionally, you must have the required proficiency in French and English, aligning with the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

Those falling under the CEC category of NOC skill level B will need a CLB score of 5, while the rest of the candidates under the other skill levels of NOC will need a CLB score of 7.

The validity of the language examinations is up to two years, and a candidate must be eligible under a valid language exam on the day of applying for permanent residency status.

Eligibility required: Federal Skilled Worker Program

There are essentially only two eligibility requirements for skilled workers under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). FSWP comprises a separate points grid system as well.

Language skills and educational qualifications are the two essential requirements.

FSWP deals with skilled work experience and the job for such experience must come under NOC skill types 0, A, or, B. The NOC code should be similar to the job profile you mention on your immigration application. This is going to be the main occupation listed on your application. Your work experience will be counted on for the last ten years. The number of hours must amount to 1,560 hours.

Here’s an evaluation of the number of hours that can be completed in different ways:

• One job on a full-time basis could equal thirty hours per week for twelve months. This will be a total of 1,560 hours.
• A part-time work basis could equal fifteen hours per week for twenty- four months. This will again total 1,560 hours (complete 1 year).
• A full-time work basis for multiple jobs could equal thirty hours per week for twelve months. This will be 1,560 hours. (one-year full-time).

For the language proficiency requirement, candidates must meet the CLB score of 7 points in all language aspects such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

For the educational qualification, the candidates must possess a high school diploma from a Canadian institute or university or education that is equivalent to the Canadian standard. If you have studied from another country (apart from Canada), you will need to submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

IRCC will do the next step, evaluating your application based on a point grid system (total of 100). To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the candidate must attain 67 out of 100. There are primarily six factors based on which you will get your score points. These factors concern your age, work experience, education, valid employment offer, language ability in French and English, and your adaptability level.

The table below tells you about the score points associated with each factor:

The grid system given above is only used by the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Express Entry Draws: FSWP and CEC return to normal for candidates

Express Entry resumed on July 6 with all-program draws beginning for the FSWP and CEC candidates. 1,500 invitations were sent with a minimum of 557 CRS scores.

Fraser, the immigration minister, remained firm on resuming the usual processing time of six months for the new applicants. The recent applicants will be able to experience the regular processing time of six months for their applications.

Even though one can’t predict the next Express Entry draw’s experience, IRCC will certainly continue conducting these draws for all programs so that it completes the target of the Immigration Levels Plan for the upcoming years.