This Canadian immigration management system processes applications for skilled foreign workers who want to move to Canada. Applicants who meet the criteria for a qualifying Canadian visa program must provide their details in an online Express Entry profile. After the Invitation to Apply is issued, an applicant has 60 days to submit the Canadian visa application and usually receives a decision within six months.

The FSWP is a points-based Canadian visa program for skilled foreign professionals who have at least one year of full-time paid work experience during the past 10 years in a qualifying occupation. Points are given for age, education, work experience, English/French language skills, valid job offer in Canada, and adaptability, with a minimum of 67 out of 100 points required to apply for Express Entry to Canada. More info

The FSTP is a Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign tradespeople with at least two years of full-time paid work experience within the last five years in a qualifying trade. Applicants who meet the requirements for English/French language skills, health, character and other criteria may be able to move to Canada through the Express Entry system. More info

There are different demands for skilled foreign workers across Canada, so most provinces and territories have collaborated with the Canadian national government to create a PNP that meets their local needs. In general, a foreign worker will apply to the PNP of a particular province or territory and if issued a provincial nomination, will next apply for immigration with the national government which has the sole authority to issue a Canadian visa.

Foreign workers who want to move to Canada and live in the mostly French-speaking province of Quebec must apply for the points-based Quebec Skilled Worker Program. The two-step process for this Canadian immigration program involves applying to the QSWP and if Quebec’s provincial officials issue a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ), the next step is to apply for a Canadian visa with the national government.