Express Entry

It is critical to recognize that this is not a new immigration category, but a new selection process for skilled workers who have work experience, education, language skills and other required factors. You still need to be qualified under one of the three categories

Federal Skilled Worker

Federal Skilled Trade

Canadian Experience Class

The best part of this new program is that there is no occupation list, which means as long as you have sufficient work experience under NOC 0, A or B, you can qualify and apply under this program.

Applicants have to meet the minimum qualifications of the above noted categories to become a candidate of the Express Entry pool. CIC will go into the pool to find candidate’s profiles that meet their identified standard and will issue an Invitation to Apply.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

CEC category is designed to allow international students and temporary foreign workers who have one year work experience in Canada to apply to become Permanent Residents of Canada. From January 1, 2015, candidates under this program will have to apply under the Express Entry protocol.

To qualify under the CEC category, you must have worked in an occupation in the NOC 0, A, or B for at least one year within the past 3 years, and you must have successfully completed (received the minimum required score) an English or French language Proficiency Test.

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)

Starting January 1, 2015, the government removed the restricted occupation list and the cap limiting the number of candidates.

To qualify under the FSW, you must have worked in an occupation in the NOC 0, A, or B for at least one year in the past 10 years, you must have your Education Credentials Assessment completed, you must have successfully completed (received the minimum required score) an English or French language Proficiency Test. You must also qualify under the assessment grid with a pass mark of 67 or higher and apply under the Express Entry protocol.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

This program is designed for applicants who have skilled trade experience and want to become permanent residents.

The requirements for this program are:

  • 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 required level of English or French ( which includes reading writing, speaking and listening)
  • Have an offer of full-time employment for a total period of one year or certificate of qualification in a specific skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
  • Plan to live outside of Quebec