The government of Canada introduced the Express Entry system for the first time in January 2015. So far it has helped numerous immigrants obtain a Permanent Residence status. Candidates who apply and enter the Express Entry pool could get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence status. Candidates will be ranked against others in the pool using a point-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System. However, only the candidates with the highest score will get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). If the candidate has been invited to apply, the candidate will have 90 days to submit a complete Application for a Permanent Residence status online.
The Express Entry works with 3 programs: The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), The Federal Skills Trade Program (FSTP), and The Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER (FSW)
Recent statistics from Immigration Canada reveal that an increasing number of visas are going towards the FSW program than any other. Over the years, Canada has been limiting which occupations may enter the country without a job offer.
If you meet all the eligibility requirements, our immigration professionals are the best people to help you prepare a Canada Immigration skilled worker application. We have prepared numerous immigration applications and have over 13 years of immigration experience with Immigration Canada.
Eligibility Criteria
Skilled Work Experience
Your work experience must be:
- at least one year (1,560 hours total / 30 hours per week), continuous full-time or an equal amount in part-time,
- paid work (volunteer work, unpaid internships do not count),
- in the same job,
- within the last 10 years, and
- at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Full Time
30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
Part time
15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours) OR 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
You must show that you did the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC, including all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.
If you cannot show that your work experience meets the description in the NOC, you are not eligible under this program.
Language Ability
You must:
meet the minimum languae level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7, and take a language test approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that shows you meet the level for speaking, listening, reading and writing.
Education
You must have:
a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree, OR a completed foreign credential, and an Educational Credential Assesment. [The report must show your foreign education is equal to a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.]
Six Selection Factors
If you meet all the conditions set out in the minimum requirements, we will assess your application based on the selection factors in the federal skilled worker points grid.
The selection factors are:
your skills in English and/or French (Canada’s two official languages),
- your education,
- your work experience,
- your age,
- whether you have a valid job offer, and
- your adaptability (how well you are likely to settle here).
Proof of Funds
You must show that you have enough money to suppor yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada, unless you:
are currently able to legally work in Canada, and
have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
Principal Applicant
If you are married or live with a common-law foreign national partner in Canada, and that person also meets the above conditions, you can decide which one of you will apply under Express Entry as a principal applicant.
A common-law parter is a person who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. Common-law partner refers to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
Look at each selection factor and see which one of you is most likely to meet the eligibility requirements and earn the most points. That person should apply as the principal applicant
FEDERAL SKILLS TRADE PROGRAM (FSTP)
To be eligible to apply to the Federal Skilled Trades program, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
- They must furnish a proof of basic language proficiency of any one of the two official languages of Canada – English or French
- They must have offers of employment from up to two employers in Canada for a minimum period of 1 year, or Certificate of Qualification from a territory or province of Canada
- They must have obtained 2 years of qualified work experience in the skilled trade in the last 5 years
- They must be able to demonstrate their skills and experience.
Trade Groups
Skilled Trades currently eligible for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these major and minor groups of the NOC:
- Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades
- Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades,
- Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production,
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators,
- Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks, and
- Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers.
Education
There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. But, if you want to earn points for your education under Express Entry, you either need:
a Canadian post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree
OR
a completed foreign credential, and
an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by CIC. [The report must show your foreign education is equal to a completed Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma or degree.]
Language Ability
You must:
meet the minimum language level of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 for reading and writing, and
take a language test approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) that shows you meet the level for speaking, listening, reading and writing.
You must show that you meet the requirements in English or French by including the test results when you complete your Express Entry profile. Your test results must not be more than two years old on the day you apply for permanent residence.
Principal Applicant
If you are married or live with a common-law partner who also meets the above conditions, you can decide which one of you will apply under Express Entry as the principal (main) applicant.
A common-law partner is a person who has lived with you in a conjugal relationship for at least one year. Common-law partner refers to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
Check to see which one of you is most likely to be found eligible. That person should apply as the principal applicant.
CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a program that is aimed to help Canada’s temporary foreign workers with Canadian work experience, with getting their Permanent Resident status. The CEC helps individuals who are already working and residing in Canada. The processing time takes about 12 months. Visa For You, has years of experience in the field of worldwide resettlement and visa processes. We will guide you through the entire immigration process, keep you up to date on your applications position, and help you gain your permanent residency status.
Eligibility Criteria
- Have gained enough work experience in Canada with proper authorization.
- Have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part time) skilled work experience in Canada in the three years before you apply.
- Meet the required language levels needed for your job in each language ability (speaking, listening, reading and writing).
