What is the 67-point grid?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) uses six selection factors, scored out of 100. You need at least 67 points to qualify for the program.
This is a different test from your CRS score, and the two are often confused. The 67-point grid is a gate: it decides whether you can enter the Express Entry pool as a federal skilled worker. Once you are in the pool, the grid is no longer used. Your rank, and whether you are invited, depends only on your CRS score.
Minimum requirements before points are counted
- Skilled work experience: at least one year of continuous, paid, full-time work (or the same amount part-time) in the last 10 years, in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation.
- Language: CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities of your first official language, from an approved test.
- Education: a Canadian secondary or post-secondary credential, or a foreign credential with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
You must also show proof of funds unless you are authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer, and you must be admissible to Canada.
The six FSW selection factors
1. Language skills (maximum 28 points)
| CLB level | Points per ability |
|---|---|
| CLB 9 or higher | 6 |
| CLB 8 | 5 |
| CLB 7 | 4 |
| Below CLB 7 | Not eligible |
You earn 4 more points if you have CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities of your second official language. Use the CLB calculator to convert your test scores.
2. Education (maximum 25 points)
| Level of education | Points |
|---|---|
| Doctoral (PhD) degree | 25 |
| Master's degree, or professional degree needed to practice in a licensed profession | 23 |
| Two or more certificates, diplomas or degrees | 22 |
| Bachelor's degree or another program of three or more years | 21 |
| Two-year degree, diploma or certificate | 19 |
| One-year degree, diploma or certificate | 15 |
| Secondary school (high school diploma) | 5 |
3. Skilled work experience (maximum 15 points)
| Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 9 |
| 2 to 3 years | 11 |
| 4 to 5 years | 13 |
| 6 or more years | 15 |
4. Age (maximum 12 points)
You earn the full 12 points from age 18 to 35. After that you lose one point for each year: 11 points at 36, 10 at 37, and so on down to 1 point at 46. There are no age points under 18 or from 47.
5. Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)
You earn 10 points for a valid job offer of at least one year from a Canadian employer. The job must be continuous, paid, full-time, not seasonal, and in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation. Since November 3, 2026 you do not need an LMIA for the offer to qualify, but an officer must be satisfied that it is genuine.
6. Adaptability (maximum 10 points)
| Element | Points |
|---|---|
| Your past work in Canada (at least one year, full-time, TEER 0 to 3) | 10 |
| Your past studies in Canada (at least two academic years, full-time) | 5 |
| Your spouse or partner's past studies in Canada | 5 |
| Your spouse or partner's past work in Canada (at least one year) | 5 |
| Your spouse or partner's language level (CLB 4 or higher in all four abilities) | 5 |
| Arranged employment in Canada | 5 |
| A relative in Canada who is 18 or older and a citizen or permanent resident | 5 |
What to do once you reach 67 points
Reaching 67 points means you can create an Express Entry profile under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. It does not mean you will be invited. The next step is to work out your CRS score and compare it with recent rounds.
If you are short of 67, the quickest gains usually come from language. Moving every ability from CLB 7 to CLB 9 adds 8 points, and adding a second official language adds 4 more.