Express Entry Programs

What is express entry:

The Express Entry category is an electronic and online system that manages applications for permanent residence for certain Economic programs. The Express Entry will also facilitate a faster processing time as Canada seeks out ways to increase economic stability through immigration

Candidates are ranked in the pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest ranking candidates are selected from the pool and are invited to apply for permanent residence.

Express Entry will allow Citizenship and Immigration Canada ( CIC) to actively recruit, assess and select immigrants under the following economic programs:

The Federal Skilled Worker Program

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

How this program works

This program has minimum requirements for:

• Skilled work experience
• Language ability
• education

You must meet ALL the minimum requirements to be eligible.

Selection factors

If you meet all the minimum requirements,  your application is assessed based on:

1. whether you have a valid job offer
2. age
3. language skills (English and/or French)
4. education
5. work experience
6. adaptability (how well you’re likely to settle here)

These factors are part of a 100 point grid used to assess eligibility for the program. You earn points for well you do in each of the 6 factors.

The current passing mark is 67 points

Minimum requirements

Skilled work experience

Skilled work experience means that you’ve worked in 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups:

• Managerial jobs (skill type 0)
• Professional Jobs (Skill level A)
• Technical jobs and Skilled trades ( skill level B)

You must show that while working in your primary occupation, you performed the duties set out in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC.

Your skilled work experience must be:

• In the same type of job (have the same NOC) as the job you want to use for your immigration application.
• Within the last 10 years
• At least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total
• Paid work

Language ability

You must:

• Take approved language tests in English or French for:

1. Reading
2. Speaking
3. Writing
4. listening

• get a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all 4 abilities

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.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program

1. The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade.To be eligible, you must

2. Minimum requirements

• Meet the required language levels for each language ability

1. Writing
2. Reading
3. Listening
4. speaking

• have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the 5 years before you apply
• 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 period of at 1 year or
• certificate of qualification in the 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

Education

There are no education requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program

Language ability

You must

• Meet the minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for speaking and listening and benchmark 4 for reading and writing
• take approved language tests for
• Writing
• Reading
• Speaking
• listening

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.

The Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents.

Minimum requirements

You must

• meet the required language levels needed for your job for each language ability
• writing
• listening
• reading
• speaking
• have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the past 3 years before you apply
• 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

Akrami and Associates

Express entry is a complicated application process. It is important to seek professional advice to help ensure the steps are done correctly. Here at Akrami and Associates, our legal representatives have successfully submitted hundreds of express entry applications.

Contact Akrami and Associates today at 416-477-2545 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

With Akrami & Associates there is always a way!!