Express Entry is Canada’s fast-track immigration system that ranks skilled workers and invites the best-qualified candidates to apply for permanent residency.
Express Entry is the online system used by the Canadian government to select highly qualified workers seeking permanent residence.
This can be described in simple terms as a kind of points race. You fill out your profile, including all of your personal information, such as your age, educational background, professional experience, language proficiency, etc., and, according to those criteria, you are awarded a certain number of points.
The Canadian government periodically invites the top point earners to apply for permanent residence.
Factors that can increase your score:
➤ Higher education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, etc.)
➤ Strong English and/or French language test results
➤ Skilled work experience
➤ Younger age (typically under 30 receives more points)
➤ A provincial nomination from a Canadian province
➤ A valid job offer from a Canadian employer (in some cases)
Express Entry Categories
Federal Skilled Workers Program
This program is for people who have skilled work experience outside Canada.
Ideal for:
• Professionals such as engineers, IT professionals, accountants, teachers, managers, etc.
• Applicants who have never worked or studied in Canada.
Basic requirements:
➣ Skilled work experience
➣ Language test (IELTS/CELPIP)
➣ Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign education
➣ Meet the minimum eligibility score
Canadian Experience Class
This program is for people who have already gained skilled work experience in Canada.
Ideal for:
• International graduates working in Canada
• Temporary foreign workers with Canadian work experience
Basic requirements:
➣ At least one year of eligible Canadian work experience
➣ Language requirements based on occupation
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
This program is designed for people working in skilled trades.
Ideal for:
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Welders
• Carpenters
• Mechanics
• Other qualified tradespeople
Basic requirements:
➣ Skilled trade work experience
➣ Language test results
➣ Trade certification or a valid job offer (depending on circumstances)
Category-Based Draws
Aside from the above-mentioned programs, there are now category-based draws for the Canadian Express Entry system, selecting individuals who have skills in high demand.
Categories selected currently include:
➣ Healthcare occupations
➣ STEM occupations (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
➣ Trade occupations
➣ Education occupations
➣ Agriculture and agri-food occupations
➣ French-language proficiency