Federal Skilled Worker Program for Senegal Applicants
FSW is the route built for exactly your situation: applying from Senegal, with no prior Canadian study or work experience. Here's the full 67-point eligibility grid, the current proof-of-funds table, and the work experience rule that trips up more applicants than anything else.
- FSW eligibility requires 67/100 points on a separate grid (language, education, experience, age, arranged employment, adaptability) a pass/fail check, distinct from your CRS ranking score.
- Work experience must be continuous: at least 1 year, full-time or equivalent, in a single NOC TEER 0–3 occupation, within the last 10 years.
- Proof of funds (single applicant): CAD $15,263 rising to $28,362 for a family of four. Exempt if you have a valid job offer with Canadian work authorization.
- ECA is mandatory for education points WES or ICAS assessment of your Senegalese degree.
- Language points work identically for TEF/TCF (French) and IELTS/CELPIP (English) pick based on your genuine strongest language.
Who FSW is actually built for
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) is one of three programs managed through Express Entry, and it's the only one designed for people applying from outside Canada with no prior Canadian ties. If you're a Senegalese professional with a degree, work experience, and strong French (or English), and you've never studied or worked in Canada, FSW is very likely your entry point combined with a French-language category draw strategy, given Senegal's official-language status.
Six factors, 100 points, 67 to pass
Before your CRS ranking score matters at all, you must first clear 67 out of 100 points on the FSW selection grid below.
Language proficiency
Up to 24 points for first official language (TEF/TCF or IELTS/CELPIP), up to 4 for a second.
Education
Requires an ECA. A Senegalese bachelor's degree typically scores in the low-20s.
Work experience
Based on years of skilled experience (NOC TEER 0–3) in the last 10 years.
Age
Maximum points for ages 18–35, decreasing gradually for older applicants.
Arranged employment
A valid, qualifying Canadian job offer not required, but adds points if held.
Adaptability
Points for a spouse's language ability, previous Canadian study or work, or a relative in Canada.
Your work experience must be in one occupation
FSW requires at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in a single NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation, within the 10 years before you apply. This does not need to be with one employer, but the occupation itself must be consistent.
How much money you need to show
FSW and Federal Skilled Trades applicants must show settlement funds unless exempt. Below is IRCC's official table, current as of the July 7, 2025 update.
| Family members | Funds required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $15,263 |
| 2 | $19,001 |
| 3 | $23,360 |
| 4 | $28,362 |
| 5 | $32,168 |
| 6 | $36,280 |
| 7 | $40,392 |
| Each additional member beyond 7 | +$4,112 |
Always confirm the live table at canada.ca.
What to prepare before you apply
FSW from Senegal questions answered
- IRCC Federal Skilled Worker eligibility (67-point grid), canada.ca
- IRCC Proof of funds official table, canada.ca (updated July 7, 2025)
This page is reviewed periodically by GetNorthPath's licensed RCIC team. General information, not individualized legal advice.
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