Express Entry
Express Entry is an electronic management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage and process applications received through four of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs for skilled workers.
Interested Candidates are required to submit an online application to express their interest by creating Express Entry (EE) profile and, providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and some other details. After submitting the profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g., having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points. Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.
Potential candidatesmake an expression of interest (EOI) by creating an Express Entry profile and providing information about their education, skills, experience, language ability, and other personal information.
No Government fee is required to submit an Express Entry profile. The fee is only requested when you are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
There are several layers of cost to consider for Express Entry.
Language tests
Cost varies by test and location, but typically between $200 CAD and $500 CAD per exam.
Educational Credentials Assessment
Cost varies by service provider and service selected, but typically between $200 CAD and $400CAD.
Application & Processing Fees
These fees are only charged after you receive an ITA and once you are ready to submit your final permanent residence application.
Processing fees
$825 CAD per adult; $225 CAD per child
Right of Permanent Residence Fee
$500 CAD per adult, dependent children are not required to pay this fee
Biometrics
$85.00 CAD per person
Unless you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class program or have a valid arranged offer of employment from a Canadian employer, you will need to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support your resettlement in Canada. These settlement fees are not fees paid to the Government, but you must have access to them to be approved for a permanent residence visa. The amount of money you need to support your family depends on the size of your family.To calculate the size of your family you must includeyourself, your spouse or partner, your dependent children and, your spouse’s dependent children. You must also include your spouse or dependent children even if they arepermanent residents or Canadian Citizens
not coming to Canada with you. This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application.
| Number of
family members |
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars) |
| 1 | $13,213 |
| 2 | $16,449 |
| 3 | $20,222 |
| 4 | $24,553 |
| 5 | $27,847 |
| 6 | $31,407 |
| 7 | $34,967 |
| For each additional family member | $3,560 |
If the information provided by the potential candidate turns out to be false, this is known as misrepresentation and, depending on the nature and severity of the false claim, carries penalties. A potential candidate who has been found to have provided false information going into the Express Entry pool can be banned from re-entering the pool for five years. Therefore, it is important to provide accurate and correct information while creating the profile.
All candidates who create their Express Entry profile are given a score, out of 1,200, based on factors that play an important role in the economic success of the newcomers once they migrate to Canada.The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks eligible candidates through Express Entry under the following components:
Core human capital factors
Candidates are awarded points for their age, education, language proficiency and Canadian work experience. These are considered as key to economic success for immigrants.
Spouse or common-law partner factors
Candidate’s are awarded points for education, language proficiency and Canadian work experience of their accompanying spouse or common-law partner.
Skill transferability factors
A maximum of 100 points are awarded for a candidate’s skill transferability factors. There are five combinations of such skill transferability, with a maximum of 50 points awarded for each combination. Even if a candidate scores more than 100 points in total, only 100 points will be awarded under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Additional factors
This section awards 600 additional points for a Provincial nomination, and other additional points for a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, Canadian education/experience, a sibling in Canada, and/or French language ability.
After submitting the express entry profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g. having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points.
Candidates are required to update their profile to reflect any changes in their status, such as in language ability, family composition, work experience, or education credentials.
Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.If a candidate’s score is close to, equal or higherthan the minimum CRS score cut-off in most recent Express Entry draws, then they will likely be competitive in the Express Entry pool candidates.
Usually, it is impossible to predict the minimum CRS score cut-off in future Express Entry draws. The CRS score cut-off is impacted by a range of factors, including difference between twoconsecutive draws, number of ITA’s issued in each draw, and how many new candidates have entered the pool or increased their CRS score. If more time passes between two consecutive draws, typically the minimum CRS score cut-off increases, as more candidates will have time to enter the pool and existing candidates have more time to improve their scores.
Skilled trades are occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained at a college, technical school or through specialized training. All occupations under skilled trade are skill type B.
Trade occupations as per National Occupational Classification (NOC) are as follows:
| NOC
|
Occupation |
| 7201 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
| 7202 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades, and telecommunications occupations |
| 7203 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
| 7204 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
| 7205 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
| 7231 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
| 7232 | Tool and die makers |
| 7233 | Sheet metal workers |
| 7234 | Boilermakers |
| 7235 | Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
| 7236 | Ironworkers |
| 7237 | Welders and related machine operators |
| 7241 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
| 7242 | Industrial electricians |
| 7243 | Power system electricians |
| 7244 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
| 7245 | Telecommunications line and cable workers |
| 7246 | Telecommunications installation and repair workers |
| 7247 | Cable television service and maintenance technicians |
| 7251 | Plumbers |
| 7252 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 7253 | Gas fitters |
| 7271 | Carpenters |
| 7272 | Cabinetmakers |
| 7281 | Bricklayers |
| 7282 | Concrete finishers |
| 7283 | Tilesetters |
| 7284 | Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
| 7291 | Roofers and shinglers |
| 7292 | Glaziers |
| 7293 | Insulators |
| 7294 | Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) |
| 7295 | Floor covering installers |
| 7301 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
| 7302 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
| 7303 | Supervisors, printing and related occupations |
| 7304 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
| 7305 | Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators |
| 7311 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 7312 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 7313 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| 7314 | Railway carmen/women |
| 7315 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
| 7316 | Machine fitters |
| 7318 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
| 7321 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
| 7322 | Motor vehicle body repairers |
| 7331 | Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
| 7322 | Appliance servicers and repairers |
| 7333 | Electrical mechanics |
| 7334 | Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
| 7335 | Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
| 7361 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
| 7362 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
| 7371 | Crane operators |
| 7372 | Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction |
| 7373 | Water well drillers |
| 7381 | Printing press operators |
| 7384 | Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c. |
| 8211 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
| 8221 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
| 8222 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
| 8231 | Underground production and development miners |
| 8232 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
| 8241 | Logging machinery operators |
| 8252 | Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers |
| 8255 | Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services |
| 8261 | Fishing masters and officers |
| 8262 | Fishermen/women |
| 9211 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
| 9212 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
| 9213 | Supervisors, food and beverage processing |
| 9214 | Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing |
| 9215 | Supervisors, forest products processing |
| 9217 | Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing |
| 9221 | Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling |
| 9222 | Supervisors, electronics manufacturing |
| 9223 | Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing |
| 9224 | Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing |
| 9226 | Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing |
| 9227 | Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly |
| 9231 | Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 9232 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
| 9235 | Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators |
| 9241 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
| 9243 | Water and waste treatment plant operators |
| 6321 | Chefs |
| 6322 | Cooks |
| 6331 | Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale |
| 6332 | Bakers |
Each province outlines which professions will be regulated and establishes regulatory bodies where applicable. You should contact following provincial, territorial, or federal bodies to know more about the process and requirements:
| Province | Department / Regulatory Agency |
| Alberta | Apprenticeship and Industry Training |
| British Columbia | The Industry Training Authority (ITA) |
| Manitoba | Apprenticeship Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Apprenticeship & Trades Certification Division |
| Northwest Territories | Apprenticeship and Trades |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency |
| Nunavut | Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification |
| Ontario | Jobs and Employment |
| Prince Edward Island | Apprenticeship Training and Skilled Trade Certification |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission |
| Yukon | Apprentices and trades |
If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanic). You can find out who regulates your trade by visiting the website of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
There are few factors under CRS which may help you in improving your CRS score.
Language Skills
This factor can award up to 260 CRS points for a single candidate and up to 270 points for a couple? Language is not only the most valued human capital factor under the Comprehensive Ranking System, but it is also a factor where incremental gains can make a huge difference.Extra points are awarded for each improvement in language test results across the four language abilities (reading, writing, listening &speaking). Highest threshold is obtained when a candidate achieves a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 9 in each ability. Higher CLB also triggers an increase in points under skills transferability factors (education and work experience).
To reach CLB 9 on the IELTS General Training exam, you must achieve the following minimum scores:
Listening 8.0 |Speaking 7.0|Reading |7.0 Writing 7.0
To reach CLB 9 on the CELPIP general exam, you must achieve a minimum score of 9 in each of the four abilities(reading, writing,listening &speaking).
Work Experience
If you are working outside Canada but have less than three years of full-time experience, keep working! Try to accumulate more than three years of work experience because, it will give you more points under skills transferability factors. If you are already working in Canada on a work permit the same applies. If you indicate that your employment is ongoing on your Express Entry profile, your CRS score will automatically update when you reach a new threshold of work experience. Although there are limits as to how many CRS points you can earn, however, more work experience and skills may be in demand in a specific province which could lead to a coveted Provincial Nomination.
Spouse
Candidates with a spouse, however, may have additional potential for improving their CRS score because the spouses’ level of education, language ability, and Canadian work experience may all be rewarded. You can add up to 20 points to your CRS through your partner’s first language scores. You can add up to 10 points to your CRS score by getting ECA done for your partner’s education.
Job Offer
A job offer from a Canadian employer will bring you 50 CRS points.If you are not currently in Canada, obtaining a job offer from a Canadian employermay be difficult, but there are plenty of online resources where you may find employment opportunities.
Provincial Nomination
If you want a 600 boost to your CRS score, plus the knowledge&b skills that you are being welcomed with open arms into your chosen destination province. A nomination from one of the provinces under Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) adds 600 additional points to your overall CRS and in most cases will secure you an ITA in the next draw. Many Canadian provinces have been using their Express Entryaligned “enhanced” PNP streams in innovative, dynamic ways. Ontario has targeted specific occupation groups, notably in the Information Technology (IT) sector, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have PNP streams for candidates across a range of occupations (no job offer required!), British Columbia continues to invite candidates to apply under its unique system; Alberta and Manitoba have entirely new Express Entryaligned streams and other provinces have also been on board, issuing nominations to candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Can I use my Canadian work experience if it is not related to my education?
Work experience does not have to be related to your education if you accumulated work experience after graduating from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution. However, it is your responsibility to demonstrate that you were qualified to work in a skilled occupation (i.e., you meet the minimum, education, skills, language, and other requirements of the job).
Do I qualify under Canadian Experience Class if I choose to return to my home country after completing one year of work experience in Canada?
Canadian Experience Class is also open to individuals who are no longer in Canada. However, they need to submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.
Can a candidate qualify for Canadian Experience Class if he/she has done one-year study program in Canada?
A candidate must have acquired at least two years of academic study in Canada and must have graduated from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class. However, there is an exception to this rule. A candidate would still qualifyunder Canadian Experience Class if he/she has completed a one-year master’s degree after completing another program that is one year in length.
Do I need to provide proof of funds for Canadian Experience Class?
Proof of funds is not a requirement if you are applying under Canadian Experience Class.
Does my internship experience in Canada will count towards my Canadian Experience Class?
If your internship was paid and was not a part of your education, then you may count it towards work experience requirement.
A Certificate of Qualification proves that a person is qualified to work in certain skilled trade in Canada. Trade certification in Canada falls under provincial jurisdiction. Each province outlines which professions will be regulated and establishes regulatory bodies where applicable. With a Certificate of Qualification, applicants prove they have passed a certification exam or met all the requirements to practice their trade in a specific province or territory.
Not all trades are regulated in all the provinces. Where a trade is not regulated, an offer of employment from a Canadian employer may help. Trade speople who have an offer of employment for one year or more in their trade from a Canadian employer are eligible to apply.
Is there an eligible occupations list for Federal Skilled Worker program?
There is no eligible occupations list in place currently under Skilled Worker program. Candidates need to have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in an occupation classified under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) as skill level A or B or skill type 0.
Do I need certain amount of funds to apply under Federal Skilled Worker program?
Yes! Applicants must show that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependents after arrival in Canada. The settlement funds requirement is waived for foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada and/or those who have arranged employment in Canada.This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application.
| Number of
family members |
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars) |
| 1 | $12,960 |
| 2 | $16,135 |
| 3 | $19,836 |
| 4 | $24,083 |
| 5 | $27,315 |
| 6 | $30,806 |
| 7 | $34,299 |
| For each additional family member | $3,492 |
What is the minimum eligibility requirement to qualify under Federal Skilled Worker program?
To qualify under Federal Skilled Worker category, candidates must:
All applicants and their accompanying and non-accompanying dependents are also required to meet Canadian health and security/criminality requirements.
Do I need a job offer from a Canadian employer to qualify under Federal Skilled Worker program?
A valid job offer is not required to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, but you can get up to 15 points and thereby improve your chances of being eligible. Furthermore, a valid job offer can award you between 50 and 200 points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), depending on the type of job.
Where can I submit my application under Federal Skilled Worker program?
All Express Entry applications are submitted online. However, applications are initially processed in Canada through the Centralized Intake Office – Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Once approved at first stage, the application will undergo further processing with an appropriate immigration office outside of Canada that serves the country where the applicant is legally residing or the immigration office that serves the applicant’s country of nationality.
Who is included in application under Federal Skilled Worker program?
Express Entry allows the principle applicant to include his/her spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner and dependent children in the application. Upon approval applicant and accompanying family members receive permanent resident visa/status.For Canadian immigration, a dependent child is defined as the following:
- under 22 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner, or
- 22 years of age or older and unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition.
This is custom heading element
Express Entry is an electronic management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage and process applications received through four of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs for skilled workers.
Interested Candidates are required to submit an online application to express their interest by creating Express Entry (EE) profile and, providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and some other details. After submitting the profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g., having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points. Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.
Potential candidatesmake an expression of interest (EOI) by creating an Express Entry profile and providing information about their education, skills, experience, language ability, and other personal information.
No Government fee is required to submit an Express Entry profile. The fee is only requested when you are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
There are several layers of cost to consider for Express Entry.
Language tests
Cost varies by test and location, but typically between $200 CAD and $500 CAD per exam.
Educational Credentials Assessment
Cost varies by service provider and service selected, but typically between $200 CAD and $400CAD.
Application & Processing Fees
These fees are only charged after you receive an ITA and once you are ready to submit your final permanent residence application.
Processing fees
$825 CAD per adult; $225 CAD per child
Right of Permanent Residence Fee
$500 CAD per adult, dependent children are not required to pay this fee
Biometrics
$85.00 CAD per person
Unless you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class program or have a valid arranged offer of employment from a Canadian employer, you will need to demonstrate you have sufficient funds to support your resettlement in Canada. These settlement fees are not fees paid to the Government, but you must have access to them to be approved for a permanent residence visa. The amount of money you need to support your family depends on the size of your family.To calculate the size of your family you must includeyourself, your spouse or partner, your dependent children and, your spouse’s dependent children. You must also include your spouse or dependent children even if they arepermanent residents or Canadian Citizens
not coming to Canada with you. This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application.
| Number of
family members |
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars) |
| 1 | $13,213 |
| 2 | $16,449 |
| 3 | $20,222 |
| 4 | $24,553 |
| 5 | $27,847 |
| 6 | $31,407 |
| 7 | $34,967 |
| For each additional family member | $3,560 |
If the information provided by the potential candidate turns out to be false, this is known as misrepresentation and, depending on the nature and severity of the false claim, carries penalties. A potential candidate who has been found to have provided false information going into the Express Entry pool can be banned from re-entering the pool for five years. Therefore, it is important to provide accurate and correct information while creating the profile.
All candidates who create their Express Entry profile are given a score, out of 1,200, based on factors that play an important role in the economic success of the newcomers once they migrate to Canada.The Comprehensive Ranking System ranks eligible candidates through Express Entry under the following components:
Core human capital factors
Candidates are awarded points for their age, education, language proficiency and Canadian work experience. These are considered as key to economic success for immigrants.
Spouse or common-law partner factors
Candidate’s are awarded points for education, language proficiency and Canadian work experience of their accompanying spouse or common-law partner.
Skill transferability factors
A maximum of 100 points are awarded for a candidate’s skill transferability factors. There are five combinations of such skill transferability, with a maximum of 50 points awarded for each combination. Even if a candidate scores more than 100 points in total, only 100 points will be awarded under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Additional factors
This section awards 600 additional points for a Provincial nomination, and other additional points for a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, Canadian education/experience, a sibling in Canada, and/or French language ability.
After submitting the express entry profile, candidates get a score to determine their place in the pool using the point-based system called Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS system considers skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other factors (e.g. having a sibling in Canada, Canadian education or a valid job offer in Canada, etc.) to award points.
Candidates are required to update their profile to reflect any changes in their status, such as in language ability, family composition, work experience, or education credentials.
Highest ranking candidates from Express Entry pool are regularly invited to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence.If a candidate’s score is close to, equal or higherthan the minimum CRS score cut-off in most recent Express Entry draws, then they will likely be competitive in the Express Entry pool candidates.
Usually, it is impossible to predict the minimum CRS score cut-off in future Express Entry draws. The CRS score cut-off is impacted by a range of factors, including difference between twoconsecutive draws, number of ITA’s issued in each draw, and how many new candidates have entered the pool or increased their CRS score. If more time passes between two consecutive draws, typically the minimum CRS score cut-off increases, as more candidates will have time to enter the pool and existing candidates have more time to improve their scores.
Skilled trades are occupations that require a special skill, knowledge or ability which can be obtained at a college, technical school or through specialized training. All occupations under skilled trade are skill type B.
Trade occupations as per National Occupational Classification (NOC) are as follows:
| NOC
|
Occupation |
| 7201 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
| 7202 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades, and telecommunications occupations |
| 7203 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
| 7204 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
| 7205 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
| 7231 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
| 7232 | Tool and die makers |
| 7233 | Sheet metal workers |
| 7234 | Boilermakers |
| 7235 | Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
| 7236 | Ironworkers |
| 7237 | Welders and related machine operators |
| 7241 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
| 7242 | Industrial electricians |
| 7243 | Power system electricians |
| 7244 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
| 7245 | Telecommunications line and cable workers |
| 7246 | Telecommunications installation and repair workers |
| 7247 | Cable television service and maintenance technicians |
| 7251 | Plumbers |
| 7252 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
| 7253 | Gas fitters |
| 7271 | Carpenters |
| 7272 | Cabinetmakers |
| 7281 | Bricklayers |
| 7282 | Concrete finishers |
| 7283 | Tilesetters |
| 7284 | Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
| 7291 | Roofers and shinglers |
| 7292 | Glaziers |
| 7293 | Insulators |
| 7294 | Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) |
| 7295 | Floor covering installers |
| 7301 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
| 7302 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
| 7303 | Supervisors, printing and related occupations |
| 7304 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
| 7305 | Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators |
| 7311 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
| 7312 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
| 7313 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
| 7314 | Railway carmen/women |
| 7315 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
| 7316 | Machine fitters |
| 7318 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
| 7321 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
| 7322 | Motor vehicle body repairers |
| 7331 | Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
| 7322 | Appliance servicers and repairers |
| 7333 | Electrical mechanics |
| 7334 | Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
| 7335 | Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
| 7361 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
| 7362 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
| 7371 | Crane operators |
| 7372 | Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction |
| 7373 | Water well drillers |
| 7381 | Printing press operators |
| 7384 | Other trades and related occupations, n.e.c. |
| 8211 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
| 8221 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
| 8222 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
| 8231 | Underground production and development miners |
| 8232 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
| 8241 | Logging machinery operators |
| 8252 | Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers |
| 8255 | Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services |
| 8261 | Fishing masters and officers |
| 8262 | Fishermen/women |
| 9211 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
| 9212 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
| 9213 | Supervisors, food and beverage processing |
| 9214 | Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing |
| 9215 | Supervisors, forest products processing |
| 9217 | Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing |
| 9221 | Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling |
| 9222 | Supervisors, electronics manufacturing |
| 9223 | Supervisors, electrical products manufacturing |
| 9224 | Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing |
| 9226 | Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing |
| 9227 | Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly |
| 9231 | Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing |
| 9232 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
| 9235 | Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators |
| 9241 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
| 9243 | Water and waste treatment plant operators |
| 6321 | Chefs |
| 6322 | Cooks |
| 6331 | Butchers, meat cutters and fishmongers – retail and wholesale |
| 6332 | Bakers |
Each province outlines which professions will be regulated and establishes regulatory bodies where applicable. You should contact following provincial, territorial, or federal bodies to know more about the process and requirements:
| Province | Department / Regulatory Agency |
| Alberta | Apprenticeship and Industry Training |
| British Columbia | The Industry Training Authority (ITA) |
| Manitoba | Apprenticeship Manitoba |
| New Brunswick | Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Apprenticeship & Trades Certification Division |
| Northwest Territories | Apprenticeship and Trades |
| Nova Scotia | Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency |
| Nunavut | Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification |
| Ontario | Jobs and Employment |
| Prince Edward Island | Apprenticeship Training and Skilled Trade Certification |
| Saskatchewan | Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission |
| Yukon | Apprentices and trades |
If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanic). You can find out who regulates your trade by visiting the website of the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
There are few factors under CRS which may help you in improving your CRS score.
Language Skills
This factor can award up to 260 CRS points for a single candidate and up to 270 points for a couple? Language is not only the most valued human capital factor under the Comprehensive Ranking System, but it is also a factor where incremental gains can make a huge difference.Extra points are awarded for each improvement in language test results across the four language abilities (reading, writing, listening &speaking). Highest threshold is obtained when a candidate achieves a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 9 in each ability. Higher CLB also triggers an increase in points under skills transferability factors (education and work experience).
To reach CLB 9 on the IELTS General Training exam, you must achieve the following minimum scores:
Listening 8.0 |Speaking 7.0|Reading |7.0 Writing 7.0
To reach CLB 9 on the CELPIP general exam, you must achieve a minimum score of 9 in each of the four abilities(reading, writing,listening &speaking).
Work Experience
If you are working outside Canada but have less than three years of full-time experience, keep working! Try to accumulate more than three years of work experience because, it will give you more points under skills transferability factors. If you are already working in Canada on a work permit the same applies. If you indicate that your employment is ongoing on your Express Entry profile, your CRS score will automatically update when you reach a new threshold of work experience. Although there are limits as to how many CRS points you can earn, however, more work experience and skills may be in demand in a specific province which could lead to a coveted Provincial Nomination.
Spouse
Candidates with a spouse, however, may have additional potential for improving their CRS score because the spouses’ level of education, language ability, and Canadian work experience may all be rewarded. You can add up to 20 points to your CRS through your partner’s first language scores. You can add up to 10 points to your CRS score by getting ECA done for your partner’s education.
Job Offer
A job offer from a Canadian employer will bring you 50 CRS points.If you are not currently in Canada, obtaining a job offer from a Canadian employermay be difficult, but there are plenty of online resources where you may find employment opportunities.
Provincial Nomination
If you want a 600 boost to your CRS score, plus the knowledge&b skills that you are being welcomed with open arms into your chosen destination province. A nomination from one of the provinces under Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) adds 600 additional points to your overall CRS and in most cases will secure you an ITA in the next draw. Many Canadian provinces have been using their Express Entryaligned “enhanced” PNP streams in innovative, dynamic ways. Ontario has targeted specific occupation groups, notably in the Information Technology (IT) sector, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan have PNP streams for candidates across a range of occupations (no job offer required!), British Columbia continues to invite candidates to apply under its unique system; Alberta and Manitoba have entirely new Express Entryaligned streams and other provinces have also been on board, issuing nominations to candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Can I use my Canadian work experience if it is not related to my education?
Work experience does not have to be related to your education if you accumulated work experience after graduating from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution. However, it is your responsibility to demonstrate that you were qualified to work in a skilled occupation (i.e., you meet the minimum, education, skills, language, and other requirements of the job).
Do I qualify under Canadian Experience Class if I choose to return to my home country after completing one year of work experience in Canada?
Canadian Experience Class is also open to individuals who are no longer in Canada. However, they need to submit their application within three years of leaving their job in Canada.
Can a candidate qualify for Canadian Experience Class if he/she has done one-year study program in Canada?
A candidate must have acquired at least two years of academic study in Canada and must have graduated from an approved Canadian post-secondary educational institution to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class. However, there is an exception to this rule. A candidate would still qualifyunder Canadian Experience Class if he/she has completed a one-year master’s degree after completing another program that is one year in length.
Do I need to provide proof of funds for Canadian Experience Class?
Proof of funds is not a requirement if you are applying under Canadian Experience Class.
Does my internship experience in Canada will count towards my Canadian Experience Class?
If your internship was paid and was not a part of your education, then you may count it towards work experience requirement.
A Certificate of Qualification proves that a person is qualified to work in certain skilled trade in Canada. Trade certification in Canada falls under provincial jurisdiction. Each province outlines which professions will be regulated and establishes regulatory bodies where applicable. With a Certificate of Qualification, applicants prove they have passed a certification exam or met all the requirements to practice their trade in a specific province or territory.
Not all trades are regulated in all the provinces. Where a trade is not regulated, an offer of employment from a Canadian employer may help. Trade speople who have an offer of employment for one year or more in their trade from a Canadian employer are eligible to apply.
Is there an eligible occupations list for Federal Skilled Worker program?
There is no eligible occupations list in place currently under Skilled Worker program. Candidates need to have at least one year of work experience in the past 10 years in an occupation classified under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) as skill level A or B or skill type 0.
Do I need certain amount of funds to apply under Federal Skilled Worker program?
Yes! Applicants must show that they have sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their dependents after arrival in Canada. The settlement funds requirement is waived for foreign nationals who are currently working in Canada and/or those who have arranged employment in Canada.This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application.
| Number of
family members |
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars) |
| 1 | $12,960 |
| 2 | $16,135 |
| 3 | $19,836 |
| 4 | $24,083 |
| 5 | $27,315 |
| 6 | $30,806 |
| 7 | $34,299 |
| For each additional family member | $3,492 |
What is the minimum eligibility requirement to qualify under Federal Skilled Worker program?
To qualify under Federal Skilled Worker category, candidates must:
All applicants and their accompanying and non-accompanying dependents are also required to meet Canadian health and security/criminality requirements.
Do I need a job offer from a Canadian employer to qualify under Federal Skilled Worker program?
A valid job offer is not required to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Class, but you can get up to 15 points and thereby improve your chances of being eligible. Furthermore, a valid job offer can award you between 50 and 200 points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), depending on the type of job.
Where can I submit my application under Federal Skilled Worker program?
All Express Entry applications are submitted online. However, applications are initially processed in Canada through the Centralized Intake Office – Case Processing Centre in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Once approved at first stage, the application will undergo further processing with an appropriate immigration office outside of Canada that serves the country where the applicant is legally residing or the immigration office that serves the applicant’s country of nationality.
Who is included in application under Federal Skilled Worker program?
Express Entry allows the principle applicant to include his/her spouse, common-law partner, or conjugal partner and dependent children in the application. Upon approval applicant and accompanying family members receive permanent resident visa/status.For Canadian immigration, a dependent child is defined as the following:
- under 22 years of age and not a spouse or common-law partner, or
- 22 years of age or older and unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition.