Express Entry
In 2015, Canada introduced Express Entry as a system to manage applications for permanent residence through the same major economic immigration programs. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the points-based system Canadian immigration uses to assess and score your profile and rank you in the Express Entry pool, candidates who may be eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently.
You must be eligible for one of the immigration programs in Express Entry to get into the pool. Points are calculated based on the information in the applicant’s profile, including skills and experience.
To be chosen from the pool and invited to apply, you need to have one of the highest-ranking scores at the time of sending out invitations. If an individual is invited, then can apply for permanent residence.
A. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
To be eligible to apply under FSWP, you must:
be able to achieve at least 67 points in the federal skilled worker program, the six selection factors are:
- The work experiences the skills you need will depend on the group your job is classified in under the National Occupational Classification system, with at least one year of single occupation full-time work experience in the last 10 years.
- The language proficiency, the minimum level for all four abilities is CLB 7 for the first language.
- Education, whereas the minimum educational requirements are to be certified or credited by Canadian institutions that are approved by the immigration.
- Age.
- Adaptability and arranged employment or proof of funds to support yourself and your family (if you have one).
B. Federal Skilled Trades Worker (FSTW)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade, to be eligible to apply under this program you must be able to meet the minimum requirements for:
- The language required levels for each language ability, speaking and listing is CLB 5, writing and reading is CLB 4.
- 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.
- Have a valid job offer 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.
- You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the National Occupational Classification. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.
- the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, if you have a Canadian diploma or foreign education degree that will improve your rank in the Express Entry pool.
- Proof of funds, 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.
- Be admissible.
C. Canadian experience class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents. And, have gained your work experience by working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work
To be eligible to apply under this program you must be able to meet the minimum requirements for:
- Language levels needed for your job for each language ability
Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for National Occupational Classification 0 or A jobs, which means managerial and professional jobs with a university degree, and Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for National Occupational Classification B jobs, which means, technical jobs and skilled trades college/technical school education or apprenticeship training.
- Have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last 3 years before you apply—you can meet this in a few different ways:
- full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months. Or equal amount in part-time work: for example, 15 hours/week for 24 months.
- Or work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
full-time work at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1-year full time (1,560 hours).
- There is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. However, if you have a Canadian diploma or foreign education degree that will improve your rank in the Express Entry pool.
- Must be admissible to Canada.
- Live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers.
D. Provincial nominees
Each Canadian province and territory operate its own PNP designed to meet its specific economic and demographic needs, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target: students, business people, skilled workers, and semi-skilled workers.
It is a program that allows provinces and territories to nominate foreign nationals to apply for permanent residence in Canada. This Program requirements and application procedures differ significantly between provinces, the interested applicants should consult each of the provinces in order to determine their eligibility.
This program is for workers who:
- Have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of a specific province or territory.
- Want to live in that province.
- Want to become permanent residents of Canada.
Whereas Quebec does not have a provincial nominee program, it has its own program. each other provinces and territories have their own “streams”. (Immigration programs that target certain groups) and requirements. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target, students, business people, skilled workers, and semi-skilled workers.
You can apply by using the paper-based process, or by the online process through Express Entry. As part of the process, you will have to pass a medical exam and get a police check (certificate). Everyone must have these checks, no matter where they plan to live in Canada.
The paper-based process
Apply to the province or territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. And need to meet the eligibility requirements of the province that nominates you. Then, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Usually, the application processing times are longer than through Express Entry.
The online Express Entry process
You contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream.
If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and show you have been nominated.
The certificate of nomination is required for the visa officer’s assessment along
with the applicant’s forms and other supporting documentation, including status and marriage documents, language test results, medical examination results, and police checks. A nomination by the province does not guarantee that the applicant will be granted permanent residence-the final decision rests solely with the visa officer.
