Express Entry

Express Entry

There are three federal immigration programs managed through the Express Entry system:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): If you have one year of work experience in NOC A, B or 00 in the last 10 years, you may consider FSWP. Learn more below.

2. Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP): If you have two years of work experience in trade occupation in the last 5 years and have a job offer from an eligible employer in Canada, you may consider FSTP. Learn more below.

3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): If you have at least one year of work experience in NOC A, B or 00 in the last 3 years in Canada, you may consider CEC. Learn more below.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

This program ranks you based on your age, education, work experience, if you have a valid job offer, your language skills, and adaptability.

You must have at least 67 CRS points in order to be eligible to be in the pool.

You need to:

• have at least 1 year (or 1,560 hours) of paid, full-time work experience in jobs classified as NOC A, B or 00

• have at least CLB 7 if you worked in NOC 0 or A job, or CLB 5 if you worked in NOC B job. CLB 7 is equivalent to IELTS 6.0. CLB 5 is equivalent to IELTS 4.5 to 5.0 (conversion table here). Your language test must be taken within the last 2 years

• get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) for your education for immigration purpose

• have enough funds to support yourself and/or your family. You do not need to show proof of funds if you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or are legally allowed to work in Canada

• prove that you plan to live in any province or territory other than Quebec

• be admissible to Canada

You can check your CRS score using the online tool here.

Federal Skilled Trade Program

This program ranks you based on your age, education, work experience, if you have a valid job offer, your language skills, and adaptability.

There is no minimum score requirement.

You need to:

• have at least 2 years of paid, full-time work experience within the last 5 years

• have at least CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing. Your language test must be taken within the last 2 years.

• show that you meet the requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the NOC. You do not need to have a certificate of qualification.

• have a job offer of full-time employment for at least 1 year, or you have a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade. This certificate of qualification must be issued by a Canadian province, territory or federal authority.

• get an Education Credential Assessment for your education for immigration purpose

• have enough funds to support yourself and/or your family. You do not need to show proof of funds if you have a valid job offer and are currently able to legally work in Canada

• prove that you plan to live in any province or territory other than Quebec

• be admissible to Canada

What are skilled trade occupations?

• Industrial, electrical and construction trades (NOC Major Group 72)

• Maintenance and equipment operation trades (NOC Major Group 73)

• Supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production (NOC Major Group 82)

• Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisor and central control operators (NOC Major Group 92)

• Chefs and cooks (NOC Minor Group 632)

• Butchers and bakers (NOC Minor Group 633)

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This program ranks you based on your age, education, work experience, if you have a valid job offer, your language skills, and adaptability.

There is no minimum CRS score required to be eligible.

You need to:

• have at least 1 year (or 1,560 hours) of skilled work (that is NOC A, B or 00) experience in Canada within the last 3 years

• have at least CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A job type, or CLB 5 for NOC B job type

• have gained your work experience in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work

• prove that you plan to live in any province or territory other than Quebec

• be admissible to Canada

There is no minimum education requirement for CEC; however, you can get more CRS points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian institute or an oversea institute. If you gained your education outside of Canada, you must provide an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).

You do not need to show proof of funds.