Express Entry Immigration

Canada Express Entry is the most popular immigration system offering Canadian permanent residence, introduced by the federal government in January 2015 to replace the old “first come, first served” process.

What Is It?
Express Entry is a points-based immigration system designed to select skilled workers worldwide to meet Canada’s economic needs.

Invitation Rounds:
General Rounds: For top candidates from any managed program.
Program-Specific: Targets nominees from specific programs like the PNP.
Category-Based: Focuses on economic goals, inviting candidates for specific categories.

Who Can Apply?
Federal Skilled Worker: Skilled professionals with relevant experience.
Federal Skilled Trades: Individuals with trade skills.
Canadian Experience Class: Those with work experience in Canada.

Why It Matters:
Express Entry facilitates a clear path for skilled individuals aiming to contribute and settle in Canada, prioritizing those most likely to thrive economically.

What is Express Entry and how does it work?

Express Entry is an online system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. It is designed to facilitate the immigration process for those who wish to live and work in Canada. The system is known for its efficiency and faster processing times compared to traditional immigration methods. To be eligible for Express Entry, candidates must meet the requirements of one of the following federal economic immigration programs:

1. Canadian Experience Class
2. Federal Skilled Workers
3. Federal Skilled Trades

Candidates’ profiles are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay the processing fees, within a delay of 60-days. The federal government aims to process complete PR applications in only 6 months.

Application Process:

1. Profile Creation: Interested candidates must create an Express Entry profile online. This profile includes details about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, Arranged employment in Canada,and Adaptability.
2. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): Candidates are then assessed and given a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which ranks candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors.
3. Invitation to Apply (ITA): The highest-ranking candidates in the pool are issued Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence through regular Express Entry draws.
4. Application Submission: After receiving an ITA, candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. This includes providing supporting documents such as educational credentials, work experience certificates, language test results, and police certificates.
5. Processing: Applications are then processed by IRCC, which typically aims to take around six months.

Express Entry is a cornerstone of Canadian immigration policy, designed to attract and retain skilled workers who will contribute to Canada's economy and society. Its streamlined process and emphasis on skilled migration make it an attractive pathway for those seeking a new life in Canada.

Canadian Experience Class:

To qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), applicants must comprehensively meet the following minimum requirements, which focus on Canadian skilled work experience and language proficiency.

1. Work Experience
   • Duration and Type of Experience: Applicants must have accumulated at least one year (1,560 hours) of skilled work experience in Canada. This can be either full-time or an equivalent amount in part-time hours within the three years prior to applying. Experience should be gained legally while holding valid temporary resident status and authorized to work in Canada.
   • Nature of Work Experience: The work experience must align with the responsibilities and duties outlined in the lead statement of the occupational description in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This includes fulfilling all essential duties and the majority of the main duties of the occupation.
   • NOC TEER Categories: The skilled work experience must fall within one or more of these NOC TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) categories: TEER 0, TEER 1, TEER 2, TEER 3. These categories represent different levels of skilled work based on the complexity of the job and the required qualifications.
   • Compensation for Work: Eligible work experience must be paid, either through wages or earned commission. Volunteer work and unpaid internships do not qualify towards skilled work experience under CEC.

Exclusions:

• Individuals who are refugee claimants in Canada.
• Those working without proper authorization.
• Applicants whose work experience in Canada was obtained without holding valid temporary resident status.



Self-employment and student work experience:

For candidates considering Canadian Experience Class, it's crucial to understand the specifics regarding eligible work experience:

• Ineligible Work Experience: Self-employment and work experience obtained while being a full-time student (including co-op work terms) are not considered towards meeting the minimum requirements of the program. This exclusion applies even if the work experience during studies was in a skilled occupation.
  Note: A temporary public policy has been introduced to address the unique circumstances of foreign national physicians:
• Eligibility Criteria for Physicians: This policy applies to foreign national physicians who were invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry on or after April 25, 2023, and have submitted their application.
  It specifically caters to those with experience in providing publicly funded medical services in Canada, such as fee-for-service arrangements. The policy is a boon for physicians who are typically considered self-employed and thus would not meet the standard program criteria.
• Recognizing Work Experience: Under this temporary policy, the relevant work experience of such physicians is now recognized as valid Canadian work experience.
  When creating an Express Entry profile, physicians should be cautious not to select the “Self-employed work” checkbox under the Work experience in Canada section. This ensures their specialized work experience is counted correctly.
2. Language Ability
   To qualify for the Canadian Experience class, it is essential for applicants to demonstrate language proficiency. This process involves several key steps:
   • Completion of Approved Language Tests:
     Applicants are required to undergo standardized language testing in four crucial areas:
     Writing
     Reading
     Listening
     Speaking
   • Achieving the Required Score: It's imperative that applicants meet or exceed the minimum score requirements specified by the program (Minimum level for all four abilities for TEER 0 or 1 CLB 7, TEER 2 or 3 CLB 5).
   • Submission of Test Results: Test scores must be entered accurately into the applicant’s Express Entry profile.
   • Validity and Timing of Language Test Results:
     Two-Year Validity Period. Language test results are considered valid for a period of two years from the date they are issued.
   • Requirement at Application: Crucially, these test results must remain valid on the day the applicant applies for permanent residence.

Federal Skilled Workers:

The Federal Skilled Worker category has long been a primary route for immigration to Canada. Here's an overview of the eligibility and assessment criteria:

Minimum Requirements for Eligibility:

To qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker category, you must satisfy all the following minimum criteria:

• Skilled Work Experience: Possession of relevant experience in a skilled profession.
• Language Ability: Proficiency in English or French, as demonstrated through language testing.
• Education: Educational qualifications that align with the requirements of the skilled worker category.
• Once you meet these minimum requirements, your application will be evaluated based on a range of additional selection factors. These include:
  • Age: Consideration of your age at the time of application.
  • Education: Assessment of your educational background and qualifications.
  • Work Experience: Evaluation of your professional work history.
  • Valid Job Offer: Points for having a job offer from a Canadian employer.
  • Language Skills: Proficiency in English and/or French, with points awarded for higher levels of language skills.
  • Adaptability: Assessment of how well you are likely to settle in Canada, including factors like previous experience in Canada, family ties, and other elements that aid in adaptation to Canadian life.
  
  This comprehensive evaluation process under the Federal Skilled Worker category ensures that those who are most likely to contribute positively to the Canadian economy and society are selected for immigration.

Work Experience:

In the context of the Federal Skilled Worker program, skilled work experience is a critical component and is defined based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories. Here's a detailed breakdown of what constitutes eligible skilled work experience:

NOC TEER Categories:
Skilled work experience must fall under one of the following NOC TEER categories:
TEER 0
TEER 1
TEER 2
TEER 3
You must show that while working in your primary occupation, you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.

1. Your skilled work experience must be in the same type of job (have the same NOC) as the job you want to use for your immigration application (called your primary occupation)
2. Your skilled work experience must have been obtained within the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad
3. Your skilled work experience must be paid work (you must have been paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count)
4. Your skilled work experience must be at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week)
   You can meet this in a few different ways:
   • full time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
   • equal amount in part-time work: for example 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
   • You can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
   • full time at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

Student Work Experience:
You have the flexibility to work less or more than 15 hours per week in part-time employment. The key is to ensure the total work hours add up to 1,560 hours.
You can combine hours from multiple part-time jobs to accumulate the necessary 1,560 hours needed for application.
It's important to note that any hours worked beyond 30 per week won't be counted towards this 1,560-hour requirement.




Part-Time Work Experience:
Work experience gained while you were a student can be included in your application, provided it meets certain criteria:
The work must have been compensated through wages or commissions.
The employment should have been continuous, meaning there were no significant gaps in your employment history.
Additionally, the work must align with all other requirements set by the program.

Language Ability:

For the Federal Skilled Worker program, demonstrating language proficiency is a mandatory requirement. Here's what you need to know:

• Approved Language Tests: You are required to take approved language proficiency tests in either English or French. These tests assess four key abilities: Writing, Reading, Listening, and Speaking
• Minimum Score Requirement: It's essential to meet the minimum score in all four language abilities. The specific scores required will depend on the criteria set by the program (Minimum level for all four abilities CLB 7).
• Entering Test Results in Express Entry Profile: Once you have your test results, they must be entered into your Express Entry profile. This step is crucial as it allows the assessment of your language skills as part of your immigration application.
• Validity of Language Test Results: The results from your language tests are valid for two years from the date they are issued. Importantly, these results must be valid on the day you submit your application for permanent residence.

Education:

• If you went to school in Canada: You must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or a post-secondary institution.
• If you have foreign education: You must have a completed educational credential and an Educational Credential Assessment for immigration purposes that is from a designated organization and shows your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution

Selection factors:

If you meet all the minimum requirements, then Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will assess your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program based on the selection factors mentioned earlier and based on how well you do in each of the 6 factors, they’ll assign you an overall score out of 100. The current pass mark is 67 points.

Proof of Funds:

To immigrate to Canada, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family upon settling in Canada. This requirement is waived if:

• You are currently legally authorized to work in Canada.
• You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Admissibility:

All applicants must be admissible to Canada, meeting all required legal and immigration criteria.

Residence Plans in Canada:

You should intend to reside outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec has its own selection system for skilled workers. If considering Quebec, refer to the Quebec-selected skilled workers program for detailed guidance. When completing your profile, you will indicate your preferred destination in Canada. However, this does not obligate you to settle in that specific province or territory. For Provincial Nominees, there's a requirement to reside in the province or territory that issued the nomination.

Federal Skilled Trades:

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.

Minimum requirements for Skilled trades work experience:

To qualify under the Federal Skilled Trades category, you must satisfy all the following minimum criteria:

• Job offer or certificate of qualification
• Language ability
• Education
• Proof of funds
• Admissibility
• Where you can live in Canada

Skilled trades work experience:

You must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply and meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Also you must show that you performed the duties listed in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC, including all the essential duties and most of the main duties.

Skilled trades NOC groups

Your work experience must be in one of the following NOC groups:

• Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers
• excluding Sub-Major Group 726, 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.

IRCC will refuse your application if you don’t show that your experience meets the description in the NOC and you weren’t qualified to independently practise the trade occupation during this work. Also, Your work experience must be for paid work (paid wages or earned commission). IRCC don’t count volunteer work or unpaid internships.

Job offer or certificate of qualification:

You must have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority.
A certificate of qualification proves you’re qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada. This means you passed a certification exam and meet all the requirements to practise your trade in the province or territory that issued your certificate This certificate is issued by the provincial or territorial body that governs trades in their province or territory, or a federal authority. Depending on which body or authority issues it, this certificate may be called a “certificate of qualification” or a “qualification certificate.”
To get a certificate, the provincial, territorial or federal authority must assess your training, trade experience and skills to decide if you’re eligible to write a certification exam.

Get assessed by the province or territory:

Each province and territory has its own certificate of qualification requirements and own certification process. You may have to go to the province or territory to be assessed for your trade need an employer in Canada to give you experience and training.
If the province or territory where you plan to live and work doesn’t give certificates of qualification in your trade, you’ll need a valid job offer in your trade to be eligible for this program.

Language ability:

You must take approved language tests for writing, reading, listening, speaking and meet the minimum score required and enter the test results in your Express Entry profile. For Speaking and listening CLB 5, for Reading and writing CLB 4. Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result and must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.

Education:

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. If you want to improve your rank in the Express Entry pool, there are 2 ways you can do this:

• If you went to school in Canada, you can get points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution
• If you have foreign education, you can get points if you have both of these: a completed educational credential AND an educational credential assessment report for immigration purposes that is from a designated organization AND shows your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution

Proof of funds:

You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada, unless you are currently able to legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

Admissibility:

You must be admissible to Canada.

Where you can live in Canada:

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers.
When you fill out your profile, IRCC will ask you where you plan to live in Canada. You don’t have to settle in that province or territory.
If you’re a Provincial Nominee, you must settle in the province or territory that nominated you.

Discover Your Eligibility for Canadian Immigration Through Express Entry

We can assess your eligibility and assist you in exploring your options for Canadian immigration through Express Entry. Start by completing our free online evaluation and we will provide you with our evaluation within two business days. If you have any additional questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to us.

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