Express Entry Canada

What is Express Entry Program?

Canada Express Entry Program is an online application system designed for skilled immigrants who desire to settle in Canada and contribute to the Canadian economy. It uses a points-based system, known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to rank skilled workers on the basis of the information provided by them, and then select the most competitive for immigration by conducting regular draws.

This program is managed by the Department of Immigration of the Government of Canada, i.e., Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC selects and communicates with qualified and skilled immigrants on the basis of their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy and helps by fulfilling the labour market requirements of Canada.

Programs under Express Entry

There are three programs that could easily help skilled workers choose the category and apply accordingly. These three programs are:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This program is for skilled workers with experience outside Canada who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of the economic immigration programs managed under Express Entry. This economic immigration program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently and support the economy by utilizing their skills.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)?

In this program, it is mandatory for the skilled workers to meet the eligibility criteria on the basis of factors including:

• Adaptability
• Age
• Education (as per Canadian Education Standards)
• Language Proficiency
• Work Experience
• Having a valid job offer

These 6 factors are part of a 100-point grid, which is used to check the eligibility of the candidate for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Out of 100 points, it is mandatory for the applicant to score a minimum of 67 points, in order to submit an application for a Canadian Permanent Residence Visa.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the immigration programs managed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) via the Express Entry System. This program is designed specifically for qualified skilled trade workers seeking permanent residence in Canada.

What is the eligibility criteria for Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)?

Before submitting an application to IRCC, skilled workers must have at least two years of full-time paid work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work experience) in a Skilled Trade Profile (Skill Level “0,” “A,” or “B”).

In addition to this, it is mandatory for a skilled worker to have:

• A valid job offer from a Canadian employer (full-time and paid) for at least one year, or
• A certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a provincial, territorial, or federal authority in Canada.

The minimum score requirements for Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) vary depending on the language module, i.e.,

• For Listening, and Speaking: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5
• For Reading and Writing: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of the Express Entry-managed economic immigration programs. This economic immigration program is designed for temporary foreign skilled workers and foreign graduates with Canadian work experience who wish to become Canadian Permanent Residents.

What is the eligibility criteria for Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

It is mandatory for the skilled worker to have at least one (1) year of cumulative paid and full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in Canada in the past 3 years before the submission of the application. Work experience can be in 1 or more of the below-stated National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups:

• Managerial jobs (skill type 0),
• Professional jobs (skill level A), or
• Technical jobs and skilled trades (skill level B).

In addition to this, the minimum language score requirements for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program vary depending on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) job group/s, i.e.

• For NOC “0” or “A” jobs: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, or
• For NOC “B” jobs: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5