The primary method for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada is through the Express Entry program. It oversees the intake of applications for three federal programs, as well as some aspects of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), although it is not an immigration program in and of itself.
The three federal programs are:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class Program
Each of the three programs has different fundamental criteria. However, fulfilling prerequisites does not ensure receiving an invitation to apply (ITA). In contrast, the Express Entry Program is made to choose the top applicants based on a range of criteria, including as language proficiency, age, job offer, work experience, and education. Following are the details of Canada Express Entry requirements.
1. Eligibility for Federal Skilled Workers Program
Minimum criteria for the Federal Skilled Worker Program include:
Experience at Work
The National Occupational Classification requires that applicants have at least one year of paid full-time job experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in the past ten years in a skill type 0 or a skill level A or B. (NOC).
Language Skills
Candidates must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in writing, reading, speaking, and listening in either English or French as determined by an approved language test.
Education
Candidates must hold a diploma, certificate, or degree from a Canadian post-secondary institution, or an equivalent. An evaluation of educational credentials is required for foreign education (ECA).
When candidates satisfy the minimal qualifications, they are evaluated and rated according to the following criteria:
- Age.
- Education.
- Work experience.
- Job-offer.
- Language ability.
- Adaptability.
2. Eligibility for Federal Skilled Trades Program
Minimum qualifications for the Federal Skilled Trades Program include:
Experience at Work
In the previous five years, applicants must have at least two years of paid full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time experience) in a skilled trade.
NOC code
The National Occupational Classification stipulates that NOC candidates must satisfy the standards for the skilled trade.
Valid job-offer
Candidates must possess either a full-time employment offer with a minimum one-year commitment OR a Canadian authority-issued qualification certificate for a skilled occupation.
Language Skills
The following Canadian Language Benchmarks in either English or French must be met by candidates:
- Listening (level 5).
- Speaking (level 5).
- Writing (level 4).
- Reading (level 4).
3. Eligibility for Canadian Experience Class
The basic qualifications for the Canadian Experience Class are:
Canadian work experience
Candidates must have at least one year of paid, full-time, skilled work experience in Canada (or equivalent part-time experience) in a skill type 0 or skill level A or B as defined by the National Occupational Classification during the previous three years (NOC). Work experience must have been acquired when a temporary resident with a work permit was present in Canada.
Language Skills
For NOC 0 or A-type employment, applicants must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in both English and French. For NOC B positions, applicants must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark 5 in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in either English or French.
Evidence of Funds
Unless they have a legitimate employment offer and are legally permitted to work in Canada, candidates applying under the Federal Skilled Worker or Federal Skilled Trades categories must provide proof of funding. Candidates for the Canadian Experience Class are exempt from submitting financial documentation. A candidate's ability to settle in Canada can be determined by showing proof of funds.
To sum up:
It's important to remember that the aforementioned requirements are only the absolute minimum for the federal programs covered by Express Entry. Only the Express Entry profiles with the best scores will be chosen, and they will be sent invitations to apply to one of the aforementioned programs. Therefore, it is advised that applicants fill out as much of the following information in their Express Entry profile as they can to calculate Canada CRS score.
- Skills and professional experience.
- Educational qualification.
- French and/or English language proficiency.
- Education and language skills of the spouse or common-law partner of the applicant.
- Having a valid job offer that is backed by a favourable Labour Market Impact Assessment.
- Possessing a nomination from the provincial administration.
- There are specific combinations of education, work experience, and language abilities that increase an applicant's likelihood of landing a job.
- Adaptability, a family member living in Canada.
