Federal Skilled Worker · Express Entry
FSW 67-point calculator
You need at least 67 points out of 100 to enter Express Entry as a Federal Skilled Worker. Answer six short steps to see your points, what's missing, and the quickest way to close the gap. French counts too.
Your FSW points 0 / 100
67 to go · Pass mark 67
Step 1 of 6
Age
0 of 12 points
Your age on the day IRCC receives your application.
Your result
Answer the first question and watch your points add up toward 67.
These are FSW eligibility points. Your rank in the Express Entry pool uses a different score, the CRS.
Last verified Oct 6, 2026Sources:IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program(opens in a new tab)IRCC: education assessment(opens in a new tab)IRCC: job offer(opens in a new tab)IRCC: proof of funds(opens in a new tab)
Independent tool, not affiliated with IRCC. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.
How the grid works
Six factors, 100 points, pass mark 67
IRCC scores you on six selection factors. These points only decide if you can enter the pool. Your rank in the pool is a different score, the CRS.
Up to 28 points
Language
Your first official language earns points in each of the four abilities from CLB/NCLC 7 up. A second official language adds 4 more if every ability is at 5 or above.
Up to 25 points
Education
Your highest credential, as your ECA report sees it (or a Canadian one). A doctorate earns the most; secondary school earns the least.
Up to 15 points
Work experience
Paid, skilled work (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) in the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad. One year earns 9; six years or more earns the maximum.
Up to 12 points
Age
Full points from 18 to 35. You lose one point a year after that, down to zero at 47.
Up to 10 points
Job offer
A valid job offer of at least one year, full-time and not seasonal, usually backed by an LMIA. It still counts here, even though the CRS dropped job-offer points.
Up to 10 points
Adaptability
Extras for settling in: your past work or study in Canada, your partner's language, study or work, a relative in Canada, or your job offer. Capped at 10.
Worked example
How French can carry you over 67
Illustrative example, not a real person
Priya is 29, single, with a bachelor's degree and three years as a software developer abroad. Her English is CLB 8 in all four abilities.
Without French: 64 points. That's 3 short of 67, so she can't enter the pool as a Federal Skilled Worker.
With French at NCLC 5 in all four abilities as her second official language: 68 points. She passes.
NCLC 5 is an intermediate level: everyday conversations, simple emails. For most English speakers it is a few months of focused study. See what NCLC 5 looks like or plan your weeks to get there.
| Worked example | English | English + French |
|---|---|---|
| Language | 20 | 24 |
| Education | 21 | 21 |
| Work experience | 11 | 11 |
| Age | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 64 | 68 |
Before points count
The minimum requirements
Points aren't enough on their own. You must meet every one of these, or IRCC won't assess your points at all.
Language
An approved test in English or French with at least CLB/NCLC 7 in all four abilities of your first official language. For French that's TCF Canada or TEF Canada: check your scores in the NCLC converter.
Skilled work experience
At least one year of continuous full-time work (or 1,560 hours part-time) in one occupation in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3, paid, within the last 10 years.
Education
A Canadian secondary or post-secondary credential, or a foreign one with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes.
Proof of funds
Enough money to settle, unless you're already allowed to work in Canada and have a valid job offer. Find your amount with the proof of funds calculator.
Admissible, and living outside Quebec
No security, criminal or medical bar, and a plan to live outside Quebec, which selects its own skilled workers.
After the calculator
What to do with your result
Passed? Check your CRS rank
Passing 67 gets you into the pool. Invitations go by CRS score, so run the CRS calculator and compare it with recent Express Entry draws.
Close to 67? Add French
NCLC 5 in all four French abilities adds 4 FSW points. NCLC 7 also opens French-language category draws and up to 50 CRS bonus points.
Know your real French level
Take the free 10-question level check, then a full TCF or TEF mock test to see which skill holds you back.
Below 67 with no quick fix?
Other doors exist: the Canadian Experience Class has no points grid, and some provincial streams reward French. See PR options with a low CRS score.
Proposed, not in force: a single federal skilled-worker program
In April 2026 IRCC added a plan to its regulatory agenda to replace the Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience and Federal Skilled Trades classes with one new class, and its spring 2026 consultation says it is considering removing the FSW selection grid. Nothing has changed yet: the 67-point grid on this page is the rule today. We'll update this calculator when new rules are published.
Last verified Oct 6, 2026Sources:IRCC: Federal Skilled Worker Program(opens in a new tab)IRCC: education assessment(opens in a new tab)IRCC: job offer(opens in a new tab)IRCC: proof of funds(opens in a new tab)IRCC: 2026 Express Entry consultation(opens in a new tab)
Independent tool, not affiliated with IRCC. Confirm on canada.ca before you apply.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Not sure of your French level yet?
Start with the free 10-question level check, then take a full mock test to see which skill to work on for NCLC 5 or 7.
Check my French level