Express Entry into Canada
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an electronic platform employed in 2015 to manage skilled individuals seeking permanent residency in Canada through three key immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). Applicants create online profiles, and the federal government assesses their eligibility for these programs. Eligible candidates enter the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This point-based evaluation system considers age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors.
The highest-ranked candidates in the Express Entry pool receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency from the Canadian government. Additionally, Canada has specific categories for certain candidates who may qualify for ITAs through category-based selection criteria. This efficient system streamlines the immigration process for skilled workers aiming to become permanent residents in Canada.
**Quebec manages its own skilled worker selection process, the below-mentioned eligibilities do not apply to candidates living in the province of Quebec.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), part of Canada’s Express Entry system, serves skilled workers seeking permanent residency based on their expertise in specific trades. To determine eligibility, applicants must meet core criteria encompassing skilled work experience, language ability, and educational qualifications.
1. Skilled Work Experience (FSWP)
Applicants interested in FSWP are required to have skilled work experience, which asks the individuals to have work experience in TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3 under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories (link). The applicant’s work experience can be either from inside or outside Canada.
In the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, a TEER category corresponds to the level of training, education, experience, and responsibility typically needed for a specific job. The NOC includes 6 TEER categories, labeled 0 to 5. These categories rely on the required education and training for a particular occupation and also factor in the experience and complexity of responsibilities compared to other jobs.
To be considered for skilled work experience, the applicant’s experience must align with the duties outlined in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. Also, the applicant must ensure their work experience and the job stipulated in their immigration application are in the same TEER. For example, if the applicant has skilled work experience in advertising, which falls under the TEER 0 category, the job indicated in the application must be under the same TEER, such as public administration manager or school administrator.
To be considered for FSWP, the applicant’s skilled work experience must be paid employment (either by wages or commissions) within the last 10 years, with a minimum of one year of continuous work or a total work hour of 1,560 hours over a longer duration than a year. The work hours only count up to 30 hours per week; the experience can be from full-time job or part-time jobs, and work hours gained while studying may add up to the minimum work hours.
2. Language Ability (FSWP)
Applicants must demonstrate their language ability through approved language tests in English with minimum scores equivalent to CLB 7 in all four abilities: writing, reading, listening, and speaking. The applicants can enter the test results in their Express Entry profiles, and the test scores are valid for up to 2 years and must be valid on the day of application.
3. Education (FSWP)
Applicants are required to complete a secondary school education. Applicants must present their educational qualifications depending on whether applicants studied in Canada or abroad: certificates, diplomas, degrees from Canadian institutions, or a completed educational credential and Educational Credential Assessment for foreign education equivalence.
In Summary
The minimum requirements for FSWP include…
● Skilled work experiences from TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 inside or outside Canada.
● Work experience & job in their immigration application in the same TEER
● 1,560 hours or a minimum of one year of experience in the past 10 years.
● CLB 7 from all four abilities
● A minimum of secondary school completion (high school)
● certificates, diplomas, degrees from Canadian institutions or
● a completed educational credential and Educational Credential Assessment for foreign institutions
Meeting these minimum prerequisites leads to an evaluation based on additional selection factors, including age, education, work experience, job offers, language proficiency, and adaptability. Successful candidates receive an overall score out of 100, with the current pass mark set at 67 points, paving the way for permanent residency in Canada.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class is designed for skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Canada, based on their Canadian skilled work experience and language proficiency.
1. Skilled Work Experience (CEC)
To be eligible, applicants must meet specific criteria, including having at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada (full-time or part-time) within the three years before their application. This experience must align with the National Occupational Classification (NOC) guidelines, encompassing essential and main duties within NOC categories. Applicants for CEC may apply for occupations in TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3. It is important to note that self-employment, work experience without temporary resident status, and work experience gained as a full-time student do not fulfill these requirements.
2. Language Ability (CEC)
The applicants must provide their language ability by taking approved language tests, which assess the candidates’ writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Applicants for the TEER 0 or 1 job are required to achieve CLB 7 from all four abilities, and applicants for the TEER 2 or 3 job are required to achieve CLB 5 from all four abilities. The applicants can enter the test results in their Express Entry profiles, and the test scores are valid for up to 2 years and must be valid on the day of application.
3. Education (CEC)
While there is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class, a certificate, diploma or degree earned in Canadian institutions or foreign education can contribute to a candidate’s ranking in the Express Entry pool.
In Summary
The minimum requirements for CEC include…
● Skilled work experiences from TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, or TEER 3 in Canada.
● Work experience & job in their immigration application in the same TEER
● 1,560 hours or a minimum of one year of experience within 3 years
● CLB 7 from all four abilities for TEER 0 or 1 & CLB 5 from all four abilities for TEER 2 or 3
● No educational requirement but can increase the rank by submitting
● certificates, diplomas, degrees from Canadian institutions or
● a completed educational credential and Educational Credential Assessment for foreign institutions
Meeting these minimum prerequisites leads to an evaluation based on additional selection factors, including age, education, work experience, job offers, language proficiency, and adaptability. Successful candidates receive an overall score out of 100, with the current pass mark set at 67 points, paving the way for permanent residency in Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) plays a vital role in Canada’s strategy to address labor shortages in trade occupations. The FSTP offers several advantages, including a relatively swift path to permanent residency within approximately six months through the Express Entry system. To be eligible, applicants must satisfy skilled trades work experience, job offer or certificate of qualification, and language ability
1. Skilled Trade Work Experience (FSTP)
Applicants must have at least 2 years of full time experience (3,120 hours) or part-time experience with a total work hour of 3,120 hours within the 5 years before the application. To qualify, applicants must meet the job requirements specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for their skilled trade and demonstrate their performance of all essential duties and the majority of main duties outlined in the NOC’s lead statement. Applicants must demonstrate that their experience aligns with the NOC’s description and that they are qualified to independently practice the trade occupation during the work.
According to IRCC as of September, 2023, Skilled trades NOC groups in demand include…
● Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers
● Major Group 73, general trades
● Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
● Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
● Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
● Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
● Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
● Unit Group 62200, chefs
2. Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification (FSTP)
A certificate of qualification serves as proof of your eligibility to work in a specific skilled trade within Canada, indicating that you have successfully passed a certification exam and met all the prerequisites for practicing that trade within the issuing province or territory. Depending on the issuing body, it may be referred to as either a “certificate of qualification” or a “qualification certificate.” To obtain this certificate, the relevant provincial, territorial, or federal authority assesses your training, trade experience, and skills to determine your eligibility to take a certification exam. Each province and territory has its unique requirements and certification process for obtaining this qualification, which may involve in-person assessment or necessitate Canadian employment to gain relevant experience and training. For detailed information on the assessment process, please refer to the governing body’s website in the province or territory where you intend to reside and work.
3. Language Ability (FSTP)
Applicants must demonstrate their language ability through approved language tests in English with minimum scores equivalent to CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing. The applicants can enter the test results in their Express Entry profiles, and the test scores are valid for up to 2 years and must be valid on the day of application.
4. Education (CEC)
While there is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, a certificate, diploma or degree earned in Canadian institutions or foreign education can contribute to a candidate’s ranking in the Express Entry pool.
In Summary
The minimum requirements for FSTP include…
● 2 years of full-time work experience or an equal amount of part-time work (3,120 hours) in the skilled trade in the 5 years before the application while demonstrating their ability to perform the job individually
● Job offers of full-time employment (continuous, paid, & at least 30 hours a week) from up to two employers in Canada for at least one year or a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial authority
● Language Proficiency: CLB 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing
● No educational requirement but can increase the rank by submitting
○ certificates, diplomas, degrees from Canadian institutions or
○ a completed educational credential and Educational Credential Assessment for foreign institutions
Meeting these minimum prerequisites leads to an evaluation based on additional selection factors, including age, education, work experience, job offers, language proficiency, and adaptability. Successful candidates receive an overall score out of 100, with the current pass mark set at 67 points, paving the way for permanent residency in Canada.
7 Essential Steps toward Canadian Permanent Residency through Express Entry
Step 1: Determine Eligibility: The first critical step is to ascertain whether you meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the three Express Entry programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
Step 2: Language Proficiency and Credentials: Complete language testing and, if necessary, acquire an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify your educational qualifications.
Step 3: Profile Submission: Submit your profile on the official website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Step 4: Awaiting the Invitation: After profile submission, patiently await an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC.
Step 5: Application Submission: Upon receiving an ITA, submit your Application for Permanent Residence (APR) to IRCC and pay the required fees within the specified timeframe. This step involves including essential documents such as medical exams and police certificates. IRCC will acknowledge receipt (AOR) of your application.
Step 6: Biometrics Submission: Comply with IRCC’s request to submit biometrics.
Step 7: Decision and Confirmation: Wait for IRCC to make a final decision on your Application for Permanent Residence, with a commitment to process applications within six months or less. Upon approval, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if applicable, a permanent resident visa, allowing you to travel to Canada to complete your landing.
