Immigrate through Express Entry

How Express Entry works

Express Entry is an online system that Canada uses to manage skilled worker immigration applications.

There are 3 immigration programs administered through Express Entry:

  1. a) Class with Canadian Experience

For skilled workers who have work experience in Canada, the work experience must have been gained in the 3 years prior to application.

Minimum requirements

You must meet the language levels required for your job for each language skill.

  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
  • Talking

 Have at least 1 year of qualifying work experience in Canada, in the last 3 years prior to applying; You can accomplish this in different ways:

Full time in 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1-year full time (1560 hours)

Same 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.

I work full-time in more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months in more than 1 job = 1 year full-time (1560 hours)

You have gained your work experience working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work.

 

  1. b) Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • For skilled workers with work experience abroad
  • Must meet education criteria and other factors.

Minimum requirements

  • Qualified work experience
  • Language ability
  • Education
  • Funds Test

You must meet all the minimum requirements to be eligible.

Selection factors

If you meet all the minimum requirements, your application will be evaluated based on:

  • Age
  • Education
  • Work experience
  • If you have a valid job offer
  • Fluent in English and/or French
  • Adaptability (how well it is likely to establish here)

These factors are part of a 100-point grid used to assess eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. You earn points for how well you do on each of the 6 factors.

The current passing mark is 67 points.

  1. c) Federal Skilled Trades Program

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

  • For skilled workers who are skilled in a skilled trade
  • Must have a valid job offer or qualification certificate

To be eligible, you must

Meet the language levels required for each language skill

  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
  • Talking

Have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or the same amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years prior to application

Your work experience must be paid work (salaries paid or commission earned; volunteer work or unpaid internships do not count)

Meet the labor requirements for that skilled trade as established in the National Classification of Occupations, except for the need for a qualification certificate

Have a

Valid job offers of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or

Certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority.