Express Entry

Selection factors

In order to qualify under the federal skilled worker category, you need to score a minimum of 67 points out of 100. The points are calculated based on six selection factors which are:

• Education
• Age
• Work experience
• Whether you have a valid job offer
• English and/or French language skills
• Adaptability (how well you’re likely to settle here)

You earn points for how well you do in each of the 6 factors.

In order to qualify for the CEC program of the Express Entry you must meet the following requirements

• meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability
• have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last 3 years before you apply—you can meet this in a few different ways:

Full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full-time (1,560 hours)

equal amount in part-time work: for example 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

• have gained your work experience by working in Canada while under temporary resident status with authorization to work

You’re not eligible for the Canadian Experience Class if

• you’re a refugee claimant in Canada
• you’re working without authorization
• your work experience was gained without temporary resident status in Canada

According to the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC), skilled work experience means:

• managerial jobs (skill level 0)
• professional jobs (skill type A)
• technical jobs and skilled trades (skill type B)

Your work experience can be in 1 or more NOC 0, A or B jobs.

You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.

Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (even if you were on a co-op work term) doesn’t count towards the minimum requirements for this program.

Education

There is no minimum education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class. However, adding your Canadian education or an educational credential assessment of your foreign education can add to your total points.

Language ability

You must meet the minimum language level of:

• Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or
• Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for NOC B jobs

Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result and must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.

To be eligible, you must

• meet the required language levels for each language ability
• have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply
• your work experience must be for paid work (paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count)
• meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification, except for needing a certificate of qualification
• have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or
• certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority

Skilled work experience

Skilled trades for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these groups of the National Occupational Classification (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
• Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers

The major NOC groups are subdivided into different occupations, and they are all skill type B.

You must show that you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed.

The work experience only counts after you qualified to independently practice the occupation.

Education

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. But, if you want to improve your rank in the Express Entry pool, you can add your education completed inside Canada or get an Educational credential assessment done from a designated body in Canada.

Language ability

The minimum qualifying Language score is:

• Writing (CLB 4)
• Reading (CLB 4)
• Listening (CLB 5)
• Speaking (CLB 5)

Your language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result. They must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence.

Proof of funds

You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada, unless you

• are currently able to legally work in Canada and

have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada