Requirements for Express Entry programs
This Program chooses skilled workers based on their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy.
Express Entry manages applications for three economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Before we talk about requirements, here are 2 terms you need to know:
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
The CLB is the Canadian standard used to describe, measure and recognize English language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants who plan to live and work in Canada, or apply for citizenship.
The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens is used to assess abilities in the French language.
There are 4 language ability tests:
- writing
- reading
- listening
- speaking
National Occupation Classification (NOC) code
The NOC is a list of all the occupations in the Canadian labor market. It describes each job according to skill type and skill level. For immigration purposes, these are the main job groups:
- Skill Type 0 (zero): Management jobs
- Skill Level A: Professional jobs that usually call for a degree from a university
- Skill Level B: Technical jobs and skilled trades that usually call for a college diploma or training as an apprentice
- Skill Level C: Intermediate jobs that usually call for high school and/or job-specific training
- Skill Level D: Labour jobs that usually give on-the-job training
Minimum Requirements
Language skills
Federal Skilled Worker Program: English or French skills: CLB 7
Federal Skilled Trades Program: English or French skills: CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing
Canadian Experience Class: English or French skills: CLB 7 if your NOC is 0 or A, CLB 5 if your NOC is B
Type/Level of work experience
Federal Skilled Worker Program:
Canadian or foreign experience in 1 of these NOCs:
- 0
- A
- B
Federal Skilled Trades Program:
Canadian or foreign experience in a skilled trade under key groups of NOC B
Canadian Experience Class:
Canadian experience in 1 of these NOCs:
- 0
- A
- B
Amount of work experience
Federal Skilled Worker Program: One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation)
Federal Skilled Trades Program: Two years within last 5 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work)
Canadian Experience Class: One year in Canada in the last 3 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work)
Job offer
Federal Skilled Worker Program:
Not required.
But you can get selection criteria (FSW) points for having a valid job offer.
Federal Skilled Trades Program:
Required:
- A valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or
- a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
Canadian Experience Class: Not required.
Education
Federal Skilled Worker Program:
Secondary education required.
You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education.
Federal Skilled Trades Program: Not required.
Canadian Experience Class: Not required.