Canada Immigration
Express Entry System

Express Entry System - Overview

Canadian government choose skilled workers based on their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy. Canadian Express Entry system is the most popular immigration system in the world. Before we embark on the depth of this system. it's a good thing to know that It is a system which manages applications to three different immigration programs.

Criteria for Express Entry programs

Criteria for Express Entry programs Canadian government choose skilled workers based on their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy

There are 3 different programs:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Trade (FST)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)

This program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.

In Order to be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker, a candidate need to meet certain minimum requirements about your years of experience, level of education, age, and English / French language proficiency:

  • Work Experience

    At least 12-months of constant, full-time, skilled work experience complete within the previous 10 years (or an equal amount in part-time experience). Skilled work experience refers to experience classified under NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B

  • Language Proficiency

    Attain a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.

  • Education

    A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent in foreign education

  • Financial Support

    Sufficient funds to support themselves and any spouse and/or children in settlement in Canada.

  • Residence in Canada

    Should aim to live outside of the province of Quebec.

If a candidate is in compliance with the requirements listed above, they also have to demonstrate that they score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid:

Selection factors and Points
Factors
Points
01 - Education
25
02 - Language Proficiency
28
03 - Age
12
04 - Work Experience
15
05 - Arranged Employment
10
06 - Adaptability
10
Minimum Eligibility Score
67
01 - Education Factor
Level of Education
Points
Doctoral (PhD) level
25
Master's level
23
Two or more post-secondary degrees - at least one for a program of at least 3 years
22
Post-secondary degree - 3 years or longer
21
Post-secondary degree - 2 years
19
Post-secondary degree - 1 year
15
Secondary school
5
Maximum
25
02 - Language Proficiency Factor
First Official Language - English/French
Points
CLB 9 (L-6, W-6, S-6, R-6)
24
CLB 8 (L-5, W-5, S-5, R-5)
20
CLB 7 (L-4, W-4, S-4, R-4)
16
Second Official Language (Optional)
4
Maximum
28
03 - Age Factor
Age
Points
Under 18
0
18 - 35
12
36
11
37
10
38
9
39
8
40
7
41
6
42
5
43
4
44
3
45
2
46
1
47
0
Maximum
12
04 - Work Experience Factor
Work Experience
Points
6 or more years
15
4-5 years
13
2-3 years
11
1 year
9
Maximum
15
05 - Arranged Employment Factor
Arranged Employment
Points
Maximum
10
06 - Adaptability Factor
Adaptability
Points
Your past work in Canada - You did at least one year of full-time work in Canada (NOC Skill Type 0, A or B) with a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada
10
Your spouse or partner's full-time work in Canada - Your spouse or common-law partner did at least one year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada.
5
Your past study in Canada - You finished at least two academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, and stayed in good academic standing during that time.
5
Relatives in Canada - You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is living in Canada AND 18 years or older AND a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, either a:
5
Your spouse or partner's past study in Canada - Your spouse or common-law partner finished at least two academic years of full-time (15 hrs/week) study in a program at least two years long at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada, and stayed in good academic standing during that time.
5
Maximum
28
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