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Express Entry is your ticket to Canadian PR but do you know which category is the best for you?
Embarking on the journey to Canadian permanent residency through the Express Entry system is a significant step towards a brighter future. But with three distinct categories to choose from, selecting the most suitable path can be overwhelming. Fear not, as we delve into each category’s nuances to help you navigate the maze and identify the ideal route according to your skills and aspirations.
Understanding Express Entry
The Express Entry system, introduced in 2015 by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), serves as a gateway for skilled foreign workers and their families to attain permanent residency in Canada efficiently. Let’s explore the trio of immigration programs nested under Express Entry:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Tailored for skilled workers with foreign work experience, the FSWP demands meeting specific criteria concerning work experience, language proficiency, and education. Here’s a glimpse into the requirements:
Work Experience:
Accumulate at least one year of paid work experience in NOC 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupations within the past ten years, either in Canada or abroad.
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 (called your primary occupation)
have been obtained within the last 10 years, in Canada or abroad
be paid work (you must have been paid wages or earned commission—volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count)
be at least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week)
If you have part-time work experience, it must amount to less than or equal to 15 hours per week, accumulating to a total of 1,560 hours. Combining multiple part-time jobs to meet the required hours is acceptable and will contribute to your work experience. However, it’s important to note that the IRCC excludes any hours worked beyond 30 hours per week.
Additionally, if you gained work experience as a student while studying in Canada, it may count towards meeting the minimum requirements under certain conditions:
– You received payment through wages or commission for your work.
– Your employment period was continuous without any gaps.
– You satisfy all other criteria specified by the program.
Language Proficiency:
- Demonstrate proficiency in English or French through approved language tests assessing writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills.
Education:
- Hold a Canadian high school or tertiary institution certificate, diploma, or degree, or equivalent education from abroad, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Selection Criteria:
- The IRCC evaluates candidates based on age, education, work experience, language proficiency, job offer presence, and adaptability, assigning CRS scores to determine eligibility.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Targeting skilled professionals in designated trades, the FSTP mandates a minimum of two years of full-time work experience within the past five years, along with either a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification. Here’s an overview:
Work Experience in a Skilled Trade:
Gain two years of full-time work experience in NOC-designated skilled trade occupations, meeting job requirements outlined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Your work experience must be in one of the following NOC groups:
- Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers
- excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
- Major Group 73, general trades
- Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
- Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
- Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
- Unit Group 62200, chefs
NOTE: The IRCC will reject your application in the following instances:
- If you cannot prove that your experience aligns with the NOC description
- You aren’t qualified to work in the trade occupation you mention
Offer of Employment or Certificate of Qualification:
- Secure a job offer valid for at least a year or possess a certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian authority for the specific skilled trade.
Language Proficiency and Education:
- Language proficiency and education requirements mirror the FSWP’s requirements, with language tests valid for 24 months.
Additional Requirements For the FSTP
Apart from the requirements above, you must also:
- Have proof of funds to show that you can live independently when you immigrate to Canada
- Be admissible to Canada
- Plan to settle in any Canadian province, apart from Quebec
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Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Designed for individuals with Canadian work experience, the CEC streamlines the pathway to permanent residency for skilled workers:
Work Experience: Candidates must acquire at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years, under temporary resident status. This experience must be gained in NOC 0, A, or B occupations and must be continuous, paid, and full-time (or equivalent part-time).
Eligibility Factors: Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria, including not being a refugee claimant or working illegally in Canada. They must also plan to live outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec has its own immigration programs.
You will not be eligible for CEC if:
- You are a refugee claimant in Canada
- You are working in Canada illegally
- You have gained your work experience without temporary residency in Canada
Category-based Selections
The first-ever category-based draw was held on June 28, 2023. Before that, candidates were assessed based on their human capital factors including work experience, professional fields, language skills, education, and age. They were then ranked using an assigned CRS score. After each draw, candidates with the highest CRS scores (according to the cut-off) are issued ITAs, allowing them to apply for permanent residency.
To align with labor market needs and promote the French language, IRCC introduced new category-based selection criteria on May 31, 2023. The six new categories include:
- Healthcare
- STEM professions
- Trades
- Transport
- Agriculture and agri-food
- French-language proficiency
Who is eligible?
In order to qualify for an invitation through a category-based round, all requirements specific to that round must be satisfied. Additionally, there are distinct conditions that must be fulfilled depending on the category being pursued. For the 2023 categories, eligibility criteria include:
French-language proficiency: A French-language test result demonstrating a minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens.
Healthcare occupations: Accumulation of at least six months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) within the past three years in one of the 35 targeted NOC codes.
Audiologists and speech language pathologists | 31112 | 1 |
Chiropractors | 31201 | 1 |
Dentists | 31110 | 1 |
Dieticians and nutritionists | 31121 | 1 |
Educational counsellors | 41320 | 1 |
General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 | 1 |
Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
Kinesiologists and other professional occupation in therapy and assessment | 31204 | 1 |
Licensed practical nurses | 32101 | 2 |
Massage therapists | 32201 | 2 |
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 | 3 |
Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 | 2 |
Medical radiation technologists | 32121 | 2 |
Medical sonographers | 32122 | 2 |
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 | 3 |
Nurse practitioners | 31302 | 1 |
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors | 31300 | 1 |
Occupational therapists | 31203 | 1 |
Optometrists | 31111 | 1 |
Other assisting occupations in support of health services | 33109 | 3 |
Other practitioners of natural healing | 32209 | 2 |
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating | 31209 | 1 |
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment | 32109 | 2 |
Paramedical occupations | 32102 | 2 |
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants | 33103 | 3 |
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals | 31303 | 1 |
Physiotherapists | 31202 | 1 |
Psychologists | 31200 | 1 |
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 | 1 |
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 | 2 |
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 | 1 |
Specialists in surgery | 31101 | 1 |
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies | 41301 | 1 |
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and acupuncturists | 32200 | 2 |
Veterinarians | 31103 | 1 |
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) occupations: Accumulation of at least six months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) within the past three years in one of the 24 targeted NOC codes.
Architects | 21200 | 1 |
Architecture and science managers | 20011 | 0 |
Business systems specialists | 21221 | 1 |
Civil Engineers | 21300 | 1 |
Computer and information systems managers | 20012 | 0 |
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) | 21311 | 1 |
Computer systems developers and programmers | 21230 | 1 |
Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 | 1 |
Data scientists | 21211 | 1 |
Database analysts and data administrators | 21223 | 1 |
Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 | 1 |
Engineering managers | 20010 | 0 |
Industrial and manufacturing engineers | 21321 | 1 |
Information systems specialists | 21222 | 1 |
Land surveyors | 21203 | 1 |
Landscape Architects | 21201 | 1 |
Mathematicians, statisticians and actuaries | 21210 | 1 |
Metallurgical and materials engineers | 21322 | 1 |
Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers | 41400 | 1 |
Software developers and programmers | 21232 | 1 |
Software engineers and designers | 21231 | 1 |
Urban and land use planners | 21202 | 1 |
Web designers | 21233 | 1 |
Web developers and programmers | 21234 | 1 |
Trade occupations: Accumulation of at least six months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) within the past three years in one of the 10 targeted NOC codes.
Residential and commercial installers and servicers | 73200 | 3 |
Elevator constructors and mechanics | 72406 | 2 |
Machine fitters | 72405 | 2 |
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | 2 |
Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers | 72014 | 2 |
Transport occupations: Accumulation of at least six months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) within the past three years in one of the 10 targeted NOC codes.
Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors | 93200 | 3 |
Transport truck drivers | 73300 | 3 |
Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators | 72604 | 2 |
Engineer officers, water transport | 72603 | 2 |
Deck officers, water transport | 72602 | 2 |
Air traffic controllers and related occupations | 72601 | 2 |
Air pilots, flight engineers and flying instructors | 72600 | 2 |
Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors | 72404 | 2 |
Railway carmen/women | 72403 | 2 |
Managers in transportation | 70020 | 0 |
Agriculture and agri-food occupations: Accumulation of at least six months of continuous work experience (in Canada or abroad) within the past three years in one of the three targeted NOC codes.
Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services | 82031 | 2 |
Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors | 82030 | 2 |
Butchers- retail and wholesale | 63201 | 3 |
How much does Express Entry cost?
| Fees | $CAN |
|---|---|
Your application Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515) | 1,365.00 |
| Your application (without right of permanent residence fee) | 850.00 |
Include your spouse or partner Processing fee ($850) and right of permanent residence fee ($515) | 1,365.00 |
| Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee) | 850.00 |
| Include a dependent child | 230.00(per child |
You also need to pay for biometrics as well as language tests.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, you can contact our Immigration Consultant at +1 289 298 1000 or Book Free Consultation on our website canozvisas.com
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to Study or Immigrate to Canada or Australia?
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Bakhash Deep Singh
Registered Australian
Migration Agent
MARN: 1171673
He provides comprehensive and personalized services to his clients. He has handled many complex cases for Australian Immigration for his clients and has a very high success rate. He is known for his analytical and strategic approach. He is Originally from India, he has a good command over English, Hindi and Punjabi language.
Canadian Immigration
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Do you want
to Study or Immigrate to
Canada or Australia?
We are Canoz Visa Services and our team is committed to provide the highest standards of client service in a friendly environment.
