The Federal Express Entry (EE) Program
The Federal Express Entry (EE) Program
Express Entry program was introduced to take applications for permanent residence for three programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program; Federal Skilled Trades Program and Canadian Experience Class. Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry pool through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to meet local labour market needs.
Candidates eligible to immigrate to Canada under a federal economic immigration program may enter the Express Entry pool.
Eligibility
- Federal skilled workersminimum requirements:
- Have at least one year of continuous paid work experience in the same type of job as your primary NOC within the last 10 years at skill type 0, A or B;
- Have a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities (writing, reading, listening, speaking) in an approved language test of English or French within the last two years;
- Have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary school; OR if you have foreign education, you must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an approved agency showing that your foreign education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary school
- Meet the pass mark of 67 points in the 100-point grid
- Skilled tradesminimum requirements:
- meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing;
- have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the five years before you apply;
- meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), except for needing a certificate of qualification, and
- have an offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
- Canadian Experience Classminimum requirements:
- Have at least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience at NOC skill level of 0,A, B in Canada, in the last three years (before you apply).
- meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs OR CLB5 for NOC B jobs
- Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (such as on a co-op work term) doesn’t count under this program.
Procedures
- Enter the EE pool of candidates
You can Follow the instructions to create an account and enter your personal details in your online profile. When you are ready, submit your profile online. If you meet the Express Entry criteria, including the requirements of a skilled immigration program, you’ll be accepted into the Express Entry pool of candidates.
- Comprehensive Ranking System
The Express Entry pool will give you a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The score is based on factors that have been shown to help immigrants prosper in Canada.
The CRS gives you a score from your profile answers, including your:
- skills
- education
- language ability
- work experience
- Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates
- a valid job offer
- a nomination from a province or territory
- other factors
The points you get from the CRS include a core set of points up to 600 and a set of additional points of up to 600. Your total score will be out of 1,200. It is based on the four parts of the CRS formula:
- Skills and experience factors
- Spouse or common-law partner factors, such as their language skills and education
- Skills transferability, including education and work experience
- Additional: Up to 600 points for:
- Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates
- a valid job offer
- a nomination from a province or territory
- a brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident
- strong French language skills
- Selection and invitation to apply
IRCC regularly send invitations to apply to the highest-ranking candidates in the pool. If you are invited, you can apply to immigrate as a permanent resident.