Approximately 60 percent of the over 400,000 immigrants each year, that Canada aims to bring under its Immigration Levels Plan, will arrive as skilled workers. Skilled worker applications are processed under three main categories:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):- The Federal Skilled Worker Program falls under the Express Entry Immigration system and is for people with work experience. The program was set up to bring in more skilled workers to compensate for the labor shortage and streamline the process. An applicant must have at least 67 points in the Comprehensive Rating System (CRS) to be considered eligible under the FSW program. And to apply for permanent residency under the FSW program one needs to follow the procedures of Express Entry.
• Federal Skilled Traders Program (FSTP):- The Federal Skilled Trades Program is a specially devised program for skilled workers looking to obtain permanent residency after qualifying in a skilled trade. It falls under the Express Entry Immigration system and is for skilled tradesmen with work experience. Like other programs, the applicant needs to secure at least 67 points in the CRS;  but the cutoff can vary for every draw.
• Canadian Experience Program (CEC):- The Canadian Experience Class Program (CEC) is an immigration process under the Express Entry system. It is a specially developed program for people with more than 1 year of Canadian work experience and looking to permanently settle in Canada. The Canadian Experience Class program (CEC) also has certain eligibility criteria that people need to meet to be considered eligible.

Each category has different criteria and is made to target and select a different type of skilled worker to invite to apply for permanent residency.