Filipinos are well-positioned to immigrate to Canada, given their high levels of English proficiency, education, and professional experience—key factors that Canada considers for economic class immigrants.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

If you’re a Filipino living overseas, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) might be your best option. This program allows candidates with relevant work experience to apply for permanent residence without needing a job offer or prior connection to Canada.

To qualify, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Work Experience: At least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the past 10 years.
• Language Proficiency: A validated language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
• Educational Credentials: Either a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• Points Requirement: A minimum score of 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
• Financial Stability: Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your family upon settling in Canada.

Next Steps for FSWP Eligibility

The FSWP is one of three programs managed under the Canadian government’s Express Entry application system. Once you confirm your eligibility, you can create and upload your Express Entry profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Upon uploading their profiles, candidates from the Philippines receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability. IRCC issues invitations to apply for permanent residence every two weeks to the highest-scoring candidates, with a processing standard of six months. The target is to admit over 110,000 permanent residents through Express Entry annually, making it one of the most efficient pathways for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program

Another significant option is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each province and territory in Canada has its own PNP, allowing them to create immigration pathways tailored to their specific economic and demographic needs.

Filipino candidates may apply directly through a PNP if they meet the eligibility criteria or enter the Express Entry pool and receive an invitation for provincial nomination. A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream grants an additional 600 CRS points, virtually ensuring an invitation to apply for permanent residence in the next draw.

Other Federal Immigration Programs

Filipinos may also explore other prominent federal economic immigration programs, including:

• Caregivers: Pathways for permanent residence and work permits for caregivers.
• Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP): Welcoming economic class immigrants in Canada’s Atlantic provinces.
• Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP): Allowing participating Northern communities to welcome economic class immigrants.
• Agri-Food Immigration Pilot: Enabling employers in Canada’s agri-food sector to recruit economic class immigrants.