Is the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program open now?

 Yes. The Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program draws have finally resumed for the first time since 2022. 

In December 2020, the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program draws were put on hold, and there were no draws conducted for Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates since September 2021. 


In an official statement made by Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser in June 2022, Express Entry draws for FSWP, FSTP, and CEC candidates were all set to resume on July 06 – and the July 06 Express Entry draw started off with a bang. So far, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have conducted two all-program Express Entry draws. 

Here are the details of these two draws. 

Draw No: 226 held on July 06, 2022

  • Number of invitations issued: 1500 

  • Minimum CRS points: 557

Draw No: 227 held on July 20, 2022

  • Number of invitations issued: 1750

  • Minimum CRS points: 542

The Canadian government was looking to normalize all-program Express Entry draws and the immigration minister had exposed confidence that things will go back to normal starting in July. 

A high score was expected owing to the long gap since the last all-program draw was held on December 23, 2020, and had a minimum CRS score of 468.

Pre-pandemic the draws were held on a bi-weekly basis. The standard processing time of 6 months was reduced because of the massive backlog of Express Entry applications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the resumption of all-program draws, IRCC expects to bring back its Express Entry processing times. 

Candidates who identify how many bands required for Canada immigration, higher education, and more experience have higher chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency. 

Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program

Launched back in 2008 by the IRCC, the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program offers a dedicated skilled worker pathway to temporary foreign workers and international graduates – seeking permanent residency in Canada. 

Managed under the Express Entry system, the FSWP has grown into one of the key economic immigration intake pathways for skilled immigrants in Canada. Express Entry currently manages three immigration streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). 

Candidates applying under the FSWP would be required to achieve a minimum score in the CRS points calculator. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) evaluates an immigrant’s profile based on factors including Age, Education, Language Proficiency, Work Experience, Adaptability, Spousal Sponsorship, and Provincial Nomination. Identifying how many bands required for Canada immigration, high education, and more experience will help you land a good score. A higher score = A higher chance of immigrating to Canada under the Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Candidates with the highest scores are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency in a subsequent Canadian Federal Skilled Worker Program draw. 

Learn More About Canada Express Entry:

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