Express Entry Stream

Express Entry Canada is a highly popular immigration system used by the Canadian government to manage and select candidates for permanent residence based on their skills, work experience, and other factors that contribute to the Canadian economy. Express Entry operates under the Economic Class category, which is designed for individuals who have the potential to contribute to the Canadian workforce and economy.

How Express Entry Works

As an applicant, you must first create an online profile and submit your information to the Express Entry pool. The Government of Canada will then rank candidates based on factors such as age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other criteria using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Candidates with the highest scores are issued Invitations to Apply (ITA) during regular rounds of invitation.

If you receive an ITA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. Once submitted, your application will be reviewed by IRCC, and a final decision will be made based on your eligibility and supporting documents.

There are three main streams or immigration programs under the Express Entry system:

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):

The FSW program serves as Canada's primary immigration pathway for skilled workers, enabling the country to welcome a significant number of newcomers annually. It is designed to attract skilled foreign workers who have the potential to contribute to the Canadian economy and integrate successfully into Canadian society.

This is a key category of Express Entry (EE) program.

To qualify under this program, an applicant must:

• Have at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation (National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 0,1,2 and 3)
• Get a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 for first official language in all 4 language areas (Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening). To get points for the second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all 4 language areas.
• Have a Canadian educational or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a foreign education.
• In addition to fulfilling eligibility and points requirements, applicants must show that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependents after arrival in Canada. The settlement funds requirement is waived for foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada and/or those who have arranged employment in Canada.

Important Points

The applicant(s) must obtain at least 67 points based on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) immigration selection factors. This is a separate points system from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) used to ranking all Express Entry profiles. The six selection factors are as follows:

Factors	Points
Education	25
Language	28
Work Experience	15
Age	12
Arrange Employment	10
Adaptability	10

• The applicants must plan to reside outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a unique immigration system.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a federal immigration program that enables individuals with skilled work experience in Canada to apply for permanent residency. It aims to attract foreign workers who have successfully integrated into Canadian society and acquired meaningful work experience within Canada.

Minimum Program requirements:

• Work Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of skilled work experience (or equal amount in part-time work) in Canada within the past three years. The work experience should be in a skilled occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
• Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking an approved language test (such as the IELTS or CELPIP for English).

Applicants meet the minimum language level of:

• - Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 jobs or
• - Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 jobs

Other Requirements:

• Education: While there is no specific education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class, having post-secondary education may increase an applicant's chances of being selected.
• Intention to Reside Outside of Quebec: The CEC is applicable for all provinces and territories in Canada, except Quebec. If you plan to reside in Quebec, you will need to apply through the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
• Medical and Security Checks: Like all immigration programs, applicants must undergo medical examinations and security checks to ensure they meet the health and security requirements.

Applicants under the Canadian Experience Class are assessed based on a points system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS evaluates factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability. The highest-ranking applicants are invited to apply for permanent residency through regular draws from the Express Entry pool.

The Canadian Experience Class is one of the three economic immigration programs managed under the Express Entry system, alongside the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

Key Points:

• Under this program, self-employment and work experience gained while being a full-time student, such as a co-op work term, do not qualify.
• Applicants can work as many part-time jobs as they need to meet this requirement but any hours above 30 hours/week cannot be counted.
• Applicants have the option to remain in Canada during the application process. However, individuals who are no longer in Canada can still apply for the Canadian Experience Class as long as they submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.
• The requirements for the Canadian Experience Class are evaluated based on a pass or fail model.
• Meeting the minimum requirements makes the applicant eligible to enter the Express Entry pool, without necessarily needing to achieve a minimum score of 67 points based on the selection factors established by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a Canadian immigration pathway for skilled workers with experience in specific trades. It is designed to address labour shortages by attracting qualified tradespeople to become permanent residents. Applicants must meet eligibility criteria including work experience, language ability, and a valid job offer or certification in their trade.

Identify the Right NOC:

Before applying, you must determine the appropriate National Occupational Classification (NOC) that matches your job. Your work experience must fall under one of the following eligible categories: Major Groups: 72 (excluding Sub-Major Group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932), Minor Group: 6320, Unit Group: 62200

Requirements for Skilled Work Experience

Your work experience must:

• Be in the same NOC throughout
• Demonstrate that you performed the lead statement and the majority of the main duties listed in the NOC description
• Meet the employment requirements listed under the NOC for that trade
• Be paid work experience (i.e., wages or commission; unpaid internships or volunteer work are not eligible)
• Be acquired in a country where you were legally authorized and qualified to practice that trade
• Total at least 2 years of full-time work (or the equivalent in part-time) within the last 5 years before you apply

Calculating Your Work Experience

To be eligible, you must have completed at least 3,120 hours of work in your trade. This can be achieved through various combinations:

• Full-time work at one job: Up to 30 hours/week for 24 months
• Part-time work: Any schedule that adds up to 3,120 hours (e.g., 15 hours/week for 48 months)
• Full-time work at multiple jobs: 30 combined hours/week across more than one employer for 24 months.

Note: Hours worked in excess of 30 per week are not counted toward the requirement.

International Work Experience

If your skilled trades experience was obtained outside Canada, it must have been in a country where you were qualified to practise independently. If you worked in a country different from where you were certified, you must also have met that country’s local requirements for practising your trade.

Ineligible Work Experience

Work experience gained while studying (including co-op terms or internships) does not count toward the minimum work requirement for the FSTP.

1. Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification – Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Hold a valid job offerfor full-time employment in Canada that is for a minimum duration of one year,
  OR
• Possess a Certificate of Qualificationin your trade, issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority.

2. Minimum Language Requirements – Federal Skilled Trades Program

 

To be eligible under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, applicants must meet the following minimum language proficiency levels in either English or French, depending on the language of assessment.

Language	Abilities	Minimum Level
English	Speaking and Listening	CLB 5
English	Reading and Writing	CLB 4
French	Speaking and Listening	NCLC 5
French	Reading and Writing	NCLC 4

 

CLB = Canadian Language Benchmark

NCLC = Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens

 

You must submit results from an approved language test, and they must be less than two years old at the time you apply for permanent residence.

 

3. Educational Requirements

There is no formal education requirement to apply under the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, completing post-secondary education—especially from a Canadian institution—can significantly enhance your profile in the Express Entry pool.

If you hold a foreign credential, you can boost your ranking by providing:

• Proof of your completed educational credential, and
• A valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes

 

4. Proof of Funds

You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your accompanying family members after arriving in Canada.

You are exempt from this requirement if:

• You are already authorized to work in Canada, AND
• You have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer

 

Important Points

• Attaining a minimum of 67 points based on the immigration selection factors set by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is not mandatory for the applicant.
• There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, applicant will be awarded points in their Express Entry pool if they have earned a Canadian educational or have Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a foreign education.
• The applicants must plan to reside outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers through a unique immigration system.

Candidates in all Express Entry streams must meet the following general requirements:

• Express Entry Profile: Create an Express Entry profile and score a minimum number of points based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.
• Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): Get ranked in the Express Entry pool using CRS points, which are awarded based on the information provided in the profile. Candidates with higher CRS scores are more likely to receive an invitation to apply (ITA).
• Invitation to Apply (ITA): If you meet or exceed the CRS cutoff score in a specific Express Entry draw, you'll receive an ITA to apply for permanent residence. You have 60 days to submit a complete application.
• Medical and Criminal Checks: You and your family members must undergo medical exams and provide police clearances to prove admissibility to Canada.
• Proof of Funds: Show proof of sufficient settlement funds unless you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or are currently working in Canada.
• Education and Work Experience: Provide documentation for education and work experience.

Express Entry provides a clear and efficient pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled workers, making it one of the most sought-after immigration programs globally. However, the eligibility criteria and points system can change, so it's important to regularly check the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website for the latest updates and requirements. Consulting with CAN-X Punjab can also help you in gaining valuable guidance throughout the application process.