Express Entry
Express Entry is a selection system for Canadian immigration, designed to select skilled workers for immigration to Canada.
Canada Express Entry is the most popular immigration system offering Canadian permanent residence by involving the federal government, provincial governments, and the Canadian employers.
Express Entry is an online system and is used to manage applications for permanent residence for 3 programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
If you meet the eligibility criteria then you submit an online profile known as an Expression of interest (EOI), under one of 3 above programs or a participating provincial immigration program, to the Express Entry Pool.
A points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ranks all the profiles against each other. The applicants who are ranked highest receive an invitation to apply (ITA) to apply for permanent residence. On receiving ITA , you must submit a compete application with correct processing fee within 60 days.
Compare the key differences between the programs
| Eligibility criteria | Canadian Experience Class | Federal Skilled Worker Program | Federal Skilled Trades Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language skills | English or French skills
|
English or French skills
|
English or French skills
|
| Type/Level of work experience | Canadian experience in 1 of these NOCs:
|
Canadian or foreign experience in 1 of these NOCs:
|
Canadian or foreign experience in a skilled trade under key groups of NOC B |
| Amount of work experience | One year in Canada in the last 3 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work) | One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation) | Two years within last 5 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work) |
| Job offer | Not required. | Not required.
But you can get selection criteria (FSW) points for having a valid job offer. |
Required:
|
| Education | Not required. | Secondary education required.
You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education. |
Not required. |