Many get confused and think Express Entry is an immigration program, while in fact, it is the online system used by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage immigration applications. Under express entry eligibility canada, international skilled workers can apply to obtain Canada PR.
There are three programs handled under the Express Entry system and one must be eligible for at least one of the following programs to submit PR application through Express Entry:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Applying for permanent residency through Express Entry may get your application processed within 5 months. This is why Express Entry is known as the fastest way to get PR.
Download Free Immigration and PR Guide PDF
Express Entry Programs: Brief Introduction
1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The CEC specifically favors skilled workers who have gained at least 1 year’s worth of Canadian work experience in the last 3 years of applying under this program.
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The FSWP is designed to help applicants with international skilled work experience in one of the following NOC TEER categories immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry:
- TEER 0
- TEER 1
- TEER 2
- TEER 3
The skilled worker applying must have at least 1 year of continuous work experience in a skilled occupation.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The FSTP offers foreign skilled workers with a minimum of 2 years of work experience in a skilled trades occupation within the last 5 years of applying under this program.
Express Entry Programs Eligibility: A Comparison of the Programs
The Canada permanent residency eligibility requirements for Express Entry programs are as follows:
| Eligibility Criteria | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work Experience | 1 year in the previous 3 years (could be a combination of both full time and part-time work) | 1 year continuous work experience within the previous 10 years (combination of full time, part-time or more than one job in primary occupation) | 2 years within last 5 years (this could either be a combination of full-time or just part-time work) |
| Language Proficiency | English/French Proficiency: – CLB/NCLC 7 (TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations) – CLB/NCLC 5 (TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations) | English/French Proficiency: – CLB/NCLC 7 | English/French Proficiency: – CLB/NCLC 5 (speaking & listening) – CLB/NCLC 4 (reading & writing) |
| Education | Not required | Secondary education (if you have post-secondary education, you’ll earn more FSW points) | Not required |
| Job Offer | Not required | Not required (Though if you have a valid job offer, you can get more FSW points) | Job offer should be of full time employment for: – 1 year at least OR – A certificate of qualification in a skilled trade occupation (it is issued by a province/territory or a federal authority) |
| Type of Work Experience | Canadian work experience listed in one or more of these NOC TEER categories: – TEER 0 – TEER 1 – TEER 2 – TEER 3 | Experience in an occupation listed in any 1 of these NOC TEER categories: – TEER 0 – TEER 1 – TEER 2 – TEER 3 | Experience in a skilled trades occupation under key groups of TEER 2 or 3: – Major Group 72 (Excluding Sub-Major Group 726) – Major Group 73 – Major Group 82 – Major Group 83 – Major Group 92 – Major Group 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932) – Minor Group 6320 – Unit Group 62200 |
CEC Eligibility Requirements: In Detail
The basic requirement to be eligible for CEC is to have Canadian skilled work experience and meet the language requirements. Let’s discuss all the criteria in detail.
1. a. Canadian skilled work experience
- Before you apply, make sure that you have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in the last 3 years (if you have done an equal amount of part-time experience, it can be counted as well)
- this work experience will only be counted if it was gained when you were in Canada on a temporary resident status
- you must have performed all the essential duties and most of the main duties which are listed in the lead statement under your NOC code
- your skilled work experience must have been under one or more of the following TEER categories: TEER 0, 1, 2, & 3
What makes you ineligible for CEC:
- if you work in Canada without proper authorization
- you are a refugee claimant
- if you gained the work experience while you didn’t have a temporary resident status
b. Language Requirements
You must take a language test to show language proficiency in the following abilities:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
The tests are valid for the next 2 years from their result date so, it should be valid at the time you are applying for PR. You must take an approved language test from one of the following.
You can convert your score to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadien (NCLC) using the following tables.
| NOC TEER | CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 and 1 | 10 and above | 7.5-9.0 | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
| 0 and 1 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5 | 5.5 |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| NOC TEER | CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 and 1 | 10 and above | 7.5-9.0 | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
| 0 and 1 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5 | 5.5 |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| NOC TEER | CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 and 1 | 10 and above | 89+ | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ |
| 0 and 1 | 9 | 84-88 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 88-89 |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 76-83 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 79-87 |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 68-75 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 59-67 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 60-68 |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 51-58 | 39-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 |
| NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 and 1 | 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 181-206 | 271-309 |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 |
| NOC TEER | NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 and 1 | 10 and above | 16-20 | 549-699 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
| 0 and 1 | 9 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 524-548 | 14-15 |
| 0 and 1 | 8 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 499-523 | 12-13 |
| 0 and 1 | 7 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 453-498 | 10-11 |
| 2 and 3 | 6 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 406-452 | 7-9 |
| 2 and 3 | 5 | 6 | 369-397 | 375-405 | 6 |
2. Education Requirements
Though there’s no education requirement for CEC, it can help you improve your CRS score. If you studied in Canada, your education can significantly help boost your points, but if you had a foreign education, it’s fine as well. Get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from any one of the designated organizations in that case.
3. Admissibility
You must be admissible to Canada or you won’t be eligible to enter the country.
4. You can live anywhere in Canada but Quebec
Since Quebec has its own immigration program for skilled workers, the Quebec Selected-Skilled Worker Program, you cannot immigrate to Quebec through CEC.
Other than Quebec, you can live anywhere in Canada after gaining PR through Express Entry.
FSTP Eligibility Requirements: In Detail
Being eligible for FSTP means that you meet the following requirements:
- have required skilled trades work experience
- meet the language requirements
- have a job offer or a certificate of qualification
The work experience must be paid and not volunteer work or unpaid internships.
1. Skilled Trades Work Experience
- you must have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trades occupation within the last 5 years of applying through the FSTP (you may also have an equal amount of part-time experience)
- it’s important that you meet the job requirements as listed out in your NOC
- as shown in your lead statement, you must have completed all the essential duties and most of the main duties as listed under your NOC
NOTE: If you are unable to show that your experience meets the descriptions in the NOC, IRCC may refuse your PR application. It may also refuse your application if you are not qualified to practice the trade occupation by yourself.
2. Job Offer or a Certificate of Qualification
The job offer that you have, must:
- be valid for at least 1 year (full-time work), OR
- have a certificate of qualification (issued by a province/territory or a federal authority of Canada)
3. Language Requirements
Take a language test to show your proficiency in the following abilities:
- Speaking
- Writing
- Listening
- Reading
These language test results are valid for 2 years from the date they are issued. When you are applying for residency in Canada, the test results must be valid.
Use the below tables to calculate your CLB/NCLC level and see if you are eligible.
IELTS General Training
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 7.5-9.0 | 8.5-9.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 7.5-9.0 |
| 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.5 |
| 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 |
CELPIP General
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 and above | 9+ | 9+ | 9+ | 9+ |
| 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
PTE Core
| CLB Level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 89+ | 89+ | 88+ | 90+ |
| 9 | 84-88 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 88-89 |
| 8 | 76-83 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 79-87 |
| 7 | 68-75 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 69-78 |
| 6 | 59-67 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 60-68 |
| 5 | 51-58 | 39-49 | 42-50 | 51-59 |
| 4 | 42-50 | 28-38 | 33-41 | 41-50 |
TCF Canada
| NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 16-20 | 549-699 | 549-699 | 16-20 |
| 9 | 14-15 | 523-548 | 524-548 | 14-15 |
| 8 | 12-13 | 503-522 | 499-523 | 12-13 |
| 7 | 10-11 | 458-502 | 453-498 | 10-11 |
| 6 | 7-9 | 398-457 | 406-452 | 7-9 |
| 5 | 6 | 369-397 | 375-405 | 6 |
| 4 | 4-5 | 331-368 | 342-374 | 4-5 |
TEF Canada
| NCLC Level | Speaking (expression orale) | Listening (compréhension de l’oral) | Reading (compréhension de l’écrit) | Writing (expression écrite) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 and above | 371+ | 298+ | 248+ | 371+ |
| 8 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 |
| 7 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 |
| 6 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 181-206 | 271-309 |
| 5 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 |
| 4 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 121-150 | 181-225 |
4. Education Requirements
Similar to CEC, FSTP also does not have any educational requirements. However, having a Canadian education or foreign education can help you improve your CRS score.
5. Proof of Funds
To be eligible for FSTP (and FSWP), you must have proof of funds to support yourself and your family members. You may be exempt from this requirement if you:
- are eligible to work in Canada, and
- have a job offer from a Canadian employer
Check out the table below to see if you have enough funds or not:
| Number of family members | Funds (in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| If there are more than 7 people, for each member | $3,706 |
6. Be admissible
You must be admissible to Canada to be eligible to apply through the FSTP.
7. Where to live in Canada
You can live anywhere in Canada, except for Quebec. If you want to immigrate to Quebec, apply through the Selected-Skilled Worker Program of Quebec.
FSWP Eligibility Requirements: In Detail
The basic eligibility requirements of FSWP are:
- have required skilled work experience
- meet language requirements
- have required education
1. Skilled Work Experience
You must have worked in one of the following NOC TEER categories:
- TEER 0
- TEER 1
- TEER 2
- TEER 3
Further, you must show that you performed all the duties listed in the lead statements in the NOC. Similar to CEC and FSTP, you must have performed all the essential duties and most of the main duties as listed in the NOC.
The skilled work experience you gained, must:
- have been for at least 1 year (continuous work), or you could show that you worked for 1,560 hours by working 30 hours a week
- be the same type of job as what you want to use in your application
- have been gained in the last 10 years (anywhere in Canada or outside Canada)
- have been paid work, since unpaid internships and volunteer work don’t count
Your part-time work experience can be counted if it was paid and as long as it adds up to complete 1,560 hours. However, if you worked for 30 hours a week, it won’t be counted as part-time work. For part-time work, you have worked for about 15 hours a week.
If you gained any work experience as a student, it must meet the following requirements to be counted as experience:
- paid work
- continuous (meaning no gap in employment)
- met other requirements
2. Language Requirements
You must meet the language requirements as required in the selection criteria. The language test taken must be valid at the time of applying for permanent residence application.
3. Educational Requirements
If you studied at a Canadian school, you must have a certificate/diploma/degree from a Canadian secondary school or post-secondary institution.
If you completed your studies outside of Canada, get an ECA report for the same.
4. Selection Factors
To be eligible for FSWP, you must score at least 67 points out of 100 to be eligible for a Canada PR visa. These points are calculated based on various factors, which are:
- Language requirements (Max 28 Points)
- Education (Max 25 Points)
- Work experience (Max 15 Points)
- Age (Max 12 Points)
- Adaptability (Max 10 Points)
- Canadian Job Offer (Max 10 Points)
Calculate 67 Points for Canada Immigration
Language Requirements ( Max 28 points)
For first official language:
| CLB Level | Reading (Points) | Writing (Points) | Speaking (Points) | Listening (Points) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
For second official language:
| CLB level | Points |
|---|---|
| At least 5 in all abilities | 4 |
Education
| Qualification | Points |
|---|---|
| High school | 05 |
| 1-year degree/diploma/certificate | 15 |
| 2-year degree/diploma/certificate | 19 |
| Bachelor degree (3 or more years degree/diploma/certificate | 21 |
| 2 or more degree/diploma/certificate | 22 |
| Master’s Degree/professional degree that needs a license | 23 |
| Ph.D | 25 |
Work experience
| Years of Experience | Points (Max 15 points) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 9 |
| 2 – 3 | 11 |
| 4 – 5 | 13 |
| 6+ | 15 |
Age
| Age | Points (Max 12 points) |
|---|---|
| 18-35 | 12 |
| 36 | 11 |
| 37 | 10 |
| 38 | 9 |
| 39 | 8 |
| 40 | 7 |
| 41 | 6 |
| 42 | 5 |
| 43 | 4 |
| 44 | 3 |
| 45 | 2 |
| 46 | 1 |
Adaptability
| Factors | Points (Max 10 points) |
|---|---|
| Spouse language skills | 05 |
| Spouse’s Past Canadian Education | 05 |
| Past Canadian Education | 05 |
| Blood relative | 05 |
| Previous Canadian Work | 10 |
| Spouse’s Previous Canadian Work | 05 |
| Job Offer | 05 |
Canadian Job Offer
You get a maximum of 10 points if you have a Canadian job offer of a minimum of 1 year. Moreover, the job must be:
- non-seasonal
- Paid
- Continuous
- Full-time (at least 30 hours per week)
- In an occupation as listed under NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3
If you scored lower than 67 points, try this:
- Work on your language skills to get higher test scores and further increase your points
- Try to get a Canadian job offer
- Go for another degree/diploma/certificate in Canada
5. Others
- You must be admissible to Canada
- Show required proof of funds
- Live anywhere in Canada, but not in Quebec
How Talent Connected Worldwide can assist you
Talent Connected Worldwide (TCWW) is an award-winning, CICC-licensed company that has assisted thousands of clients to immigrate to their dream destinations. Our experts are always ready to help you out in making your dreams a reality. We not only provide consultation services but are also your representative.
With 15+ years of experience in the field of immigration, TCWW is equipped to handle all your Canada PR related matters so you can live a better life!
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