Express Entry immigration to Canada

Express Entry revolves around a points system known as CRS (Comprehensive ranking system). An individual who applies for one of the programs under Express Entry can receive an Invitation to Apply(ITA) for permanent residency in Canada based on a variety of factors. The three programs under Express Entry are known as Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The “selection factors” that impact a person’s overall CRS score to enter into the pool of candidates for Express Entry is based on age, highest level of education, English proficiency, work experience, adaptability, and Arranged Employment in Canada.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW):

The Federal Skilled Worker Program has an extra step in order to be eligible. The extra step is to obtain 67 out of 100 points for the “Selection Factors.”

Once 67 points have been obtained, then you are eligible to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. For this program, you must take an approved language test to evaluate your English proficiency and the minimum required is a CLB 7 in all four categories including: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The minimum requirement for the French language Test for this program is a minimum of CLB 5.

You can now get an additional 50 points for strong French speaking skills Even if it is not your first language.

For the Education Requirements, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) must be done to evaluate its equivalency to the Canadian Education System. This report must be submitted with your profile.

For Work Experience, you must have worked in a NOC A or B skill level job at least for one year full time or two years part-time in the past ten (10) years. Full-time is considered 30 hours per week and part-time is considered 15 hours per week. For each specific job title, you must find the NOC (National Occupational Classification) code.

For Age, 18-35 obtain 12 points and after the age of 37 your points reduce and at the age of 47 you obtain zero points.

For Arranged Employment, you must have been offered a job that is for at least one year and it must be continuous and for 30 hours per week.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST):

For the Federal Skilled Trades Program, it is for individuals who have experience in the Trades industry including but not limited to the following: construction, plumbing, electrician, etc.

For this program, the English Proficiency required is a minimum CLB level of 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing.

For Work Experience, you must have at least 2 out of 5 years of experience of full-time work experience or the same amount of time in part-time work experience. Therefore, 30 hours per week for 24 months or 15 hours per week for 48 months.

There are no Education Requirements for this program. However, in order to be eligible for this program, you must have a valid job offer for at least one year or must have obtained a certificate of qualification that was provided by a Canadian province or territory.

For Age, 18-35 obtain 12 points and after the age of 37 your points reduce and at the age of 47 you obtain zero points.

Only Certain NOC groups qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program and that is the following: Major Group 73, 82, 83, 92, 93, Sub Major Group 932 and Minor Group 6320

Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

For the Canadian Experience Class Program, you must have had at least one year of full-time experience out of the 3 years upon applying, or two years of part-time experience out of the 3 years.

self-employment and working while being a full-time student does not count.

There are no Education Requirements for this program but you will obtain extra points for education in Canada or Foreign Education.

For the Language Ability, you must obtain CLB 7 for Teer 0 or Teer 1 jobs and CLB 5 for Teer 2 and Teer 3 jobs.

For all the three programs under Express Entry you must be admissible to Canada.