Express Entry
Express Entry, an electronic management application involving the Federal and Provincial Governments including Canadian employers, is a system designed for immigration to Canada. Express Entry is not an immigration program or a type of visa, rather it is a system used to help with the selection and process of Canada’s immigration programs. These programs include Federal Skilled Worker Class, Federal Skilled Trades Class, and Canadian Experience Class.
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Federal Skilled Worker
Through the Federal Skilled Worker program applicants are selected based on their ability to transition into Canada as a contributor to the Canadian economy.
Federal Skilled Worker – Eligibility
The minimum criteria that must be met in order to qualify you as eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker include:
- Skilled Work Experience
- Language Ability
- Education
Skilled Work Experience
To meet the minimum requirements your work experience must be:
- Within the last 10 years
- The same type of experience listed under your National Occupational Classification (NOC), at the skill type of O, or skill levels A or B.
- The work experience must be paid – volunteer work and unpaid internships are not valid
- Experience must be at least 1 year (1,560 hours) of continuous work
- Full-time at 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1,560 hours
- Equal amount in Part-time: 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1,560 hours
Below is a breakdown of points per years of experience:
| Experience | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 9 |
| 2-3 years | 11 |
| 4-5 years | 13 |
| 6 or more years | 15 |
Language Ability
Being able to communicate is essential for your transition into Canada. Your language ability is determined by how well you are able to navigate the English language. Each Express Entry applicant is required to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Your language level will be determined on your test results on Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) for English, and Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadien (NCLC) for French. The IELTS measures English proficiency, being fluent in both French and English dramatically increases your chances at immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
The IELTS and exam will measure your proficiency in:
- Writing
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
It is essential to the client that a CLB of 7 is achieved in all four categories and the test results are within the last two years of the application for Express Entry. An application cannot be submitted without the completion of the IELTS exam.
| First Official Language | Points | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing | |
| CLB level 9 or higher | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| CLB level 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| CLB level 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Below CLB level 7 | Not eligible to apply | |||
Education
Through the Federal Skilled Worker programs applicants who are most eligible typically have completed a post-secondary education. The higher the education, the more promising the applicant’s chances are.
If some of your education was in Canada, you must provide a certificate, diploma or degree for the secondary (high school) or primary education completed.
If you have foreign education, 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 is required.
| Education | Maximum 25 points |
|---|---|
| University degree at the Doctoral (PhD) level or equal | 25 points |
University degree at the Master’s level or equal OR University level entry-to-practice professional degree (or equal). Occupation related to the degree must be:
|
| Two or more Canadian post-secondary degrees or diplomas or equal (at least one must be for a program of at least three years) | 22 points |
| Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a program of three years or longer, or equal | 21 points |
| Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a two-year program, or equal | 19 points |
| Canadian post-secondary degree or diploma for a one-year program, or equal | 15 points |
| Canadian high school diploma, or equal | 5 points |
Proof of Funds
| Number of Family Members |
Funds Required (in Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $12,300 |
| 2 | $15,312 |
| 3 | $18,825 |
| 4 | $22,856 |
| 5 | $25,923 |
| 6 | $29,236 |
| 7 | $32,550 |
| For each additional family member | $3,314 |
Principal Applicant
If you are applying through the Express Entry system on your own, you are the Principal Applicant. As long as the applicant meets the requirements, they are eligible to be the Principal Applicant. This includes your spouse or common law partner.
Ideally, your Principal Applicant should be the one to most likely meet the requirements and earn the most points in both the section factor and the Comprehensive Ranking System.
What Next?
Our team at Canada By Choice Immigration has helped over a thousand people immigrate into Canada through Express Entry. We provide our clients with their own personal Case Manager, supplying you with some of the most elite immigration minds with competitive services, developing your profile for the best possible chance at success. Our services include locating job opportunities for our clients as well as prepare them for the IELTS exam through a 30-day program.
Let us help you navigate through the immigration process, take our free assessment at canadabychoice.com/free-assessment
Canada By Choice Immigration Team – Let us help you become a Canadian