Express Entry System
Express Entry via Federal Skilled Worker Visa
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program offers foreign professionals with experience in NOC 0, A, or B positions the opportunity to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. Whether their work experience was gained inside or outside Canada, eligible candidates can apply if they meet specific criteria.
This program operates on a points-based system, where applicants are evaluated on factors such as age, education, work experience, job offers, language proficiency, and adaptability. To qualify, candidates must score at least 67 out of 100 points.
Once the point threshold is met, applicants can submit their profile for consideration through Express Entry, potentially receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Eligibility for Express Entry System
Following requirements for process the visa application:
- Requirement:
- Demonstrating proficiency in either English or French is crucial for the Express Entry system.
- Testing:
- You must take an approved language test and obtain results that meet the minimum requirements.
- For English, tests include the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program).
- For French, tests include the TEF (Test d’Évaluation de Français) or TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français).
- Points Allocation:
- Higher language proficiency scores increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, improving your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Requirement:
- You need to have completed a certain level of education to be eligible for the Express Entry system.
- Assessment:
- Educational credentials obtained outside Canada must be assessed by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) agency to verify their equivalency to Canadian standards.
- Points Allocation:
- Higher levels of education (e.g., Master’s or Doctoral degrees) contribute to a higher CRS score, enhancing your chances of selection.
- Requirement:
- Relevant work experience is necessary to qualify for Express Entry.
- Criteria:
- Work experience must be in a skilled occupation as defined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- For Federal Skilled Worker Program applicants, a minimum of one year of continuous full-time work (or an equivalent part-time) experience in the past 10 years is required.
- Points Allocation:
- Work experience in Canada and outside Canada can both contribute to your CRS score. Additional points are awarded for Canadian work experience.
- Requirement:
- Age is a significant factor in the CRS scoring system.
- Points Allocation:
- Points are awarded based on your age at the time of application, with the maximum points given to individuals between ages 20 and 29.
- Points decrease for older applicants, but additional points can be earned if you have a spouse or common-law partner.
- Requirement:
- Proof of sufficient funds is required to demonstrate that you can support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada.
- Proof:
- You must provide evidence of liquid funds through bank statements, savings accounts, or other financial documents.
- The amount required varies depending on the size of your family and is updated annually.
- Exception:
- If you have a valid job offer or are currently working in Canada, you may not need to provide proof of funds.
Eligible Programs
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) requires applicants to have at least one year of full-time, paid work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work, totaling 1,560 hours) in the past ten years. Volunteer work or unpaid internships do not qualify. This experience must be in a skilled occupation listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The FSWP aims to select individuals with relevant work experience, language skills, and education to contribute effectively to Canada’s labor market.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is designed for individuals with experience in a skilled trade. To qualify, applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in a skilled trade within the last five years. They must also meet the language requirements and hold a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province or territory. The FSTP aims to address labor shortages in specific trades and attract skilled workers who can contribute to Canada’s economy.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is designed for individuals with work experience in Canada. To qualify, applicants must have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. This experience must be in a job classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, or B. Applicants must also meet language requirements and intend to live outside Quebec. The CEC helps retain skilled workers who have already adapted to the Canadian workplace and culture.
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residence based on local labor market needs. Each province has its own criteria and streams tailored to specific skill sets, occupations, or business ventures. To apply, candidates usually need to receive a nomination from a province or territory, which often involves having a job offer or relevant experience in that region. The PNP aims to address regional labor shortages and support local economic development by attracting skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and investors to Canada.
Process
An online application undergoes following steps:
- Applicant creates his/her Express Entry profile (Expression of Interest-EOI) mentioning their qualification and skills on the online resume. Next their profile is ranked against others who already applied. Various factors will indicate your selection to be part of the Canadian workforce.
- Applicants without Canadian job offer registering themselves at the Canada Job Bank site is optional now.
- If applicant gets selected, then he/she is issued an Invitation to Apply. The applicant must respond within 90 days to that invitation to qualify for PR. After responding to the Invitation to Apply with applying for Permanent Residency, the Permanent Residency Visa is then issued to you within 6 months.
Basic Factor
Points with Spouse / Common-Law Partner
Points without Spouse / Common-Law Partner
Age
100
110
Education
140
150
Language Proficiency
150
160
Work Experience
70
80
Spouse Common Law Partner Factor
Max. 40 points
Education
10
Language Proficiency
20
Work Experience
10
Skill Factor
Max. 100 points
Education
Max. 50
Strong Language Proficiency with Post-Secondary Degree
50
Work Experience with Post-Secondary Degree
50
Foreign Work Experience
Max. 50
Strong Language Proficiency with Foreign Work Experience
50
Canadian and Foreign Work Experience
50
Certificate of Qualification (for trade occupations)
Max. 50
Strong Language proficiency with Certificate of Qualification
50
Additional Factor
Max. 600 points
Basic Factor + Spouse Common-Law partner factors + Transferability + Additional Points + 1200
Arranged Employment
600
PN Nomination
600
