Federal and Express Entry Programs in Canada

Canada Express Entry – Speedy Skilled Immigration

The Canada Express Entry system was created to cater for Canada’s demand for skilled workers and professionals. A growing economy, abundant natural resources and a dwindling workforce has created strong demand for skilled professionals from abroad.

In order to arrange for an efficient and faster immigration process, by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada – IRCC (previously known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada or CIC) created an online system known as Express Entry. The system began on January 1st, 2015.

What is Canada Express Entry?

Canada’s Express Entry is a candidate assessment and selection system used by IRCC to select candidates for immigration to Canada. It is not a separate immigration program, it is a system devised to aid and manage applications for permanent residence under the following federal economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class (previously known as – The Federal Skilled Worker Program)
• Federal Skilled Trades Class (previously known as The Federal Skilled Trades Program)
• Canadian Experience Class

Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Canada Express Entry Pool through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labor market needs.

The system is completely online and has put a stop to paper applications for greater efficiency.

Who is this for:

The system has been designed for Skilled Workers and Professionals.

How GoEasy Immigration can help you?

Our experts at GoEasy Immigration can help you by:

1. Conducting a FREE Assessment and determining your eligibility for Express Entry
2. Providing you advice on the different immigration programs available to you under Express Entry

Creating your Express Entry Profile

Completing your Program Visa Application formalities if you are invited to apply under any of the programs
CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS (CEC)

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a permanent resident category for individuals who had already established themselves as skilled workers in Canada. CEC program opens the door to Canada for foreign students and foreign workers. For many international graduates, Canadian Experience Class may be fastest option for achieving Canadian permanent residence. One of the objectives of the CEC is to increase the supply of skilled workers in Canada.

Please note that any work experience acquired in Canada without valid work authorization will not be considered. Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (such as on a co-op work term) doesn’t count under this program. CEC application will take some time to process. If you are currently working in Canada and you have applied for permanent residence under CEC class, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit if your work permit will expire in four months or less. This means you can keep working while IRCC makes a decision on your permanent resident application.

As of January 1, 2015 foreign nationals will be selected through Express Entry System and must receive invitation before they may apply. Applicants can remain in Canada throughout the application process. However, the Canadian Experience Class is also open to individuals who are no longer in Canada, if they submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.

To qualify for the CEC through Express Entry, you must have:

• at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last three years (before you apply). The work was full-time OR an equal amount in part-time
• gained your work experience in Canada with the proper authorization
• take an approved language test and meet the minimum requirements
• plan to live outside the province of Quebec

To be eligible for the CEC, you need to have Canadian skilled work experience within three years of applying. According to the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC), skilled work experience means:

• Managerial jobs (NOC skill level 0)
  Professional jobs (NOC skill type A)
  Technical jobs and skilled trades (NOC skill type B)

Your experience must be at least:

12 months of full-time work: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours), OR
equal amount in part-time hours, such as:
15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
30 hours/week for 12 months at more than one job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
If your experience doesn’t meet the duty and job description requirements set in the NOC, IRCC may not accept your application.
Please note Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) require that applicants submit government application processing fees for most of applications.

Find out, if you’re eligible to proceed with CEC application under Express Entry or a bridging open work permit by completing our Free Assessment.

FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER (FSW)

Federal Skilled Worker Class has traditionally been the most popular category. For applicants meeting minimum criteria, Federal Worker Skilled Class utilizes a point system to determine the applicant’s ability to become economically established in Canada. Applicants need at least 67 points to be eligible to apply. Skilled workers are chosen as permanent residents based on their education, work experience, English/French language skills, and other factors. If you score 67 or higher (out of 100), you may qualify to immigrate to Canada as a federal skilled worker. If you score lower, than the pass mark of 67 points, you won’t qualify to immigrate to Canada as a federal skilled worker. In addition to selection criteria, applicant should be able to demonstrate sufficient funds available for resettlement in Canada. Once IRCC has determined that an applicant is a member of the Federal Skilled Worker Class, both the principal applicant and their family members, whether accompanying or not, must complete medical examinations if required, and pass criminal and security checks.

Please note Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) require that applicants submit government application processing fees for most of applications. As of January 1, 2015 foreign nationals will be selected through Express Entry System and must receive invitation before they may apply. Under Express Entry, Federal Skilled Workers across 347 eligible occupations who meet minimum entry criteria, submit an expression of interest profile to the Express Entry Pool.

To be considered for Federal Skilled Worker program candidates require to meet minimum requirements such as:

• Work experience in the same type of job as your primary NOC within the last 10 years
• paid work (volunteer work, unpaid internships don’t count)
• at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• at least 1 year (1,560 hours total / 30 hours per week), continuous:
  • full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
  • equal amount in part-time: 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
  • full-time at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

You must show that you performed the duties set out in the occupational description in the NOC.

Education

If you went to school in Canada, you must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary school. If you have foreign education, you must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an approved agency showing that your foreign education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary school.

Language Ability

You must take an approved language test in English or French that shows you meet the level for writing, reading, listening and speaking and get a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities. Your test results must not be more than two years old on the day you apply for permanent residence.