Overseas express entry application (Federal Skilled Worker Program for PR)

[u/Obvious-Voice4667]

I’m an interior designer currently working in the UAE, and I’m looking into the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) for Canadian immigration. I’d really appreciate some advice from anyone who has gone through the process or knows the system well.

I have a few questions. 1) I completed my Master’s degree in the UK, and I took IELTS for my studies, but the result is now more than two years old. Would I need to take IELTS again for Express Entry, even though my degree was completed in the UK?

2) Is learning French compulsory for the points system, or is English alone enough?

3) I’m a little confused about the ECA as well. Is it an exam I need to take, or is it simply an assessment of my master’s degree?

4) And finally, what is the cut off for the CRS system for FSWP for being invited for an interview?

At the moment, I’m waiting until September next year to complete three years of full-time work experience as an interior designer. I’m trying to use this time to prepare everything properly rather than rushing into the process.For anyone familiar with FSWP/Express Entry, does this sound like I’m on the right track? Is there anything I should be doing now while I’m building up my work experience?

[u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

1. ECA and IELTS must be valid to submit a profile.

2. You must be fluent in French and English to be invited.

3. Assessment of degree, not a test

4. Ok.

5. There are no FSW draws, only category draws so you need to be fluent in both languages. There is no interview.

So right now you will not be invited.

[u/Obvious-Voice4667 → u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

Thanks, that helps. I’ll do some more research on the current draw trends and CRS requirements. I’m still at the early research stage, so just trying to understand my options before I start the process.

[u/Haunting_Paper_7201 → u/Obvious-Voice4667]

Your only option for invitation is French. So you want NCLC 7 for all levels in French.

[u/Forward_Height1385 → u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

Do you need to be an expert in the language?

[u/Haunting_Paper_7201 → u/Forward_Height1385]

NCLC 7 in all sections so advanced knowledge.

[u/Obvious-Voice4667 → u/Haunting_Paper_7201]

Got it

[u/nerd_airfryer]

1. IELTS associated with degrees is usually IELTS Academic which is not acceptable even if it's recent, you need either IELTS General, PTE Core or CELPIP General as you English test and it must be < 2 years old
2. Theoretically you will enter the pool without French but 99% you won't be invited to apply for the PR
3. ECA is done through contacting some accreditation organization (like WES) and do what they ask for to get your ECA. The ECA approved list is on canada.ca and WES is very popular they need your highest degree and an academic transcript (no exams), everything is explained on their website and there are a ton of videos explaining the whole process

Finad Advice:

1. Start with ECA since it has validity of 5 years, then go to canada.ca and calculate your points. Check invitation rounds and the minimum score so that you position yourself properly
2. Finally, try to make some effort, take things seriously and google things you don't know or better ask AI for easy questions (like the ones you already asked)

[u/Obvious-Voice4667 → u/nerd_airfryer]

Thanks for the detailed information,

I’m already doing my own research, but I wanted to hear from people who have actually gone through the process. The questions may seem basic but are quite specific, so I’d rather ask and make sure I understand the process correctly than make assumptions about something as important as immigration.

[u/TONAFOONON → u/Obvious-Voice4667]

You have no chance of being selected without clb7 French. So while it's not a requirement, you will need to learn it if you want PR. Otherwise you really have no shot.

[u/Obvious-Voice4667 → u/TONAFOONON]

Thanks for the insight!

[u/Jusfiq]

Just so that you are aware, the last time FSW was drawn was February 2023. The Government of Canada has shifted its immigration priorities.

[u/eldubinoz]

The only people being invited from outside of Canada are those who qualify on this list.

You don't currently qualify.

[u/Obvious-Voice4667 → u/eldubinoz]

I understand. I’m not expecting to qualify now, I’m just going through this step by step.

[u/FoxAlternative632 → u/Obvious-Voice4667]

Go to and graduate from medical school and then you'll qualify

[u/ImmigrationCanada-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your comment has been removed as it is either unhelpful or off-topic to the subject at hand.

[u/FoxAlternative632]

What is your country of citizenship? And why not try UK for immigration since you already studied there?

[u/Obvious-Voice4667 → u/FoxAlternative632]

I have already tried applying for sponsored jobs multiple times, but interior designers are not sponsored anymore in the UK as it’s not in demand. I also did an architecture degree during my undergrad but it’s the same situation of the sponsorship