Economic Classes - Skilled Workers
Express Entry (EE), including:
Federal Skilled Workers
Canadian Experience Class
Federal Skilled Trades Class
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), including:
Express Entry PNP
Non Express Entry PNP
Pilot PR Programs, including:
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Agri-Food Pilot
Caregiver Pilot
Express Entry (EE)
Express Entry (EE) is an online system for skilled workers applying to permanently live and work in Canada, contributing to the country’s economy.
The main federal economic programs EE manages are:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW),
Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and
Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
The candidates can also apply for some Provincial Nominee Program through Express Entry, if they are found qualified for one of the above. While completing a profile, IRCC asks about the Canadian province or territory where the applicant intends to live, but it doesn’t mean that they are obliged to settle there. However, if they are a Provincial Nominee, they must live in the nominating province or territory.
To enter Canada,
you must be admissible and meet admissibility requirements
The Express Entry pool
The Express Entry pool is where eligible Express Entry applicants submit their profiles after creating one. Candidates in the pool are ranked based on a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
CRS points play a crucial role in Canada's Express Entry system, which manages applications for three federal economic immigration programs. Your CRS score, with a maximum of 1,200 points (including the Provincial Nomination Program points) , is determined by factors like your age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. A higher CRS score significantly enhances your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.
Those who have already met the minimum requirements and additionally achieved the highest scores in the pool will be invited to apply for permanent residence during regular draws (General, Program-specific, Category-based) conducted by IRCC. This pool includes eligible candidates for programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates with a provincial or territorial nomination who have demonstrated their skills, education, and work experience, indicating their ability to contribute to the economy of the province or territory, will be invited through general and Provincial Nominee Program-specific rounds.
Express Entry Steps:
1- Be eligible for one or more of the EE programs and create a profile
2- Prepare the required documents, in advance
3- Complete the profile, submit. You will be ranked in the EE pool by CRS.
4- Apply in a timely manner, if invited.
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
The Federal Skilled Worker class is designed for skilled workers who aim to become permanent residents in Canada and make a positive contribution to the Canadian economy. Candidates must demonstrate how their skills will support their financial integration in Canada, express their intention to reside in a province outside Quebec, and prove they meet Canada's immigration requirements.
Minimum Requirements - FSW
Education
Skilled Work Experience
Language Proficiency
You must meet all three minimum requirements before your other qualifications are assessed. In the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) class, your eligibility assessment is based on the following six selection factors, for which the passing mark is currently set at 67 points. You must first meet this requirement before creating your profile and entering the pool. Learn about each of them below, and keep in mind that if the occupation is regulated in Canada, the foreign diploma, certificate, or credential provided must be relevant to that occupation.
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The minimum education requirement is a high school diploma (secondary school credential). Applicants must demonstrate completion of their education and possess the credential from a Canadian institution. For education obtained outside of Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment is required as proof of equivalence to a completed education at the same level. Points increase with higher levels of education.
If an officially recognized professional body assess qualifications for a specific occupation, the foreign credentials you submit must:
Be directly related to that occupation. For example, if the occupation is "engineer," the applicant’s foreign degree should be in engineering.
Have a recent equivalency assessment (less than five years old).
Be issued by the designated professional body.
Show that your foreign credentials meet the Canadian educational requirements for that occupation in at least one of the provinces where the body’s assessments are accepted.
This ensures that foreign qualifications are properly evaluated to meet Canadian professional standards.
An officially recognized professional body is an organization that oversees and certifies qualifications for specific professions; e.g., a body that certifies engineers, doctors, or teachers.
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Proof of language proficiency in either English or French is required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. If you have ability in both, you should choose your higher-scoring language as your first language and the other as your second.
Minimum proficiency levels of CLB 7 for English or NCLC 7 for French are required in all four language abilities. In the second language, a minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 is needed.
Approved language tests include IELTS-General, CELPIP-General, and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada, TCF Canada for French.
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In the past 10 years, you must have:
Worked at least one year continuously (1,560 hours or 30 hours per week, or equivalent) in your primary eligible career identified in NOC codes 0, 1, 2, or 3.
Received payment as an employee or on a commission basis.
Fulfilled the duties outlined in your NOC number, including all essential duties and the majority of the main duties listed.
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Points are assigned based on a skilled worker's age at the time of their application. No points are awarded for individuals under 18 or aged 47 and older.
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Arranged employment in the FSW program is defined as a job offer from a single eligible employer, providing continuous full-time work in Canada for at least one year after the issuance of the permanent resident visa. This offer must be for an occupation listed in TEER Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification.
If you don't have arranged employment, you'll need to provide documentation of Settlement Funds. These funds must be readily accessible as proof of your ability to support yourself and any accompanying family members who come to Canada with you.
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Points for adaptability can be awarded to a skilled worker based on any combination of the following elements:
Language proficiency of accompanying spouse or partner
Skilled worker's full-time study in Canada
Accompanying spouse or partner's full-time study in Canada
Skilled worker's previous full-time work in Canada
Accompanying spouse or partner's previous full-time work in Canada
Relationship to a person living in Canada
Points for arranged employment in Canada
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class offers permanent residency to individuals based on their qualified work experience in Canada and their ability to financially support themselves and their family in the country. Not all work experiences qualify individuals for this category; however, if they do, a specific level of language proficiency should be met depending on the level of work experience.
Additionally, to be considered for this program, you must provide certain supporting documents required for this category, intend to reside outside the province of Quebec, and you must be admissible to Canada.
Minimum Requirements - CEC
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Within the three years before applying for permanent residence, you must have at least one year of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work experience) in occupations listed in TEER Categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification, excluding restricted occupations.
During your employment, you should have performed the actions and duties outlined in the occupational descriptions of the National Occupational Classification for the relevant occupation, including all of the essential duties, and most of the main duties.
If you were studying full-time while working (even if you were on a co-op work term), that time doesn't count as work experience. Any time spent in self-employment or doing unauthorized work won't be considered as work experience. Nevertheless, some exception might apply. Your skilled work experience must involve paid work, including wages or earned commission; hence, volunteer work or unpaid internships are not considered.
EXEMPTION FOR PHYSICIANS:
For a limited time and under an IRCC Temporary public policy, foreign national physicians who received invitations to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry on or after April 25, 2023, and submitted an application, and have experience in providing publicly funded medical services in Canada, such as fee-for-service work, but are ineligible due to self-employment, now have this experience recognized as Canadian work experience.
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Your language proficiency in English or French must be assessed by a designated organization or institution using an approved language test. The results should meet the required threshold in each of the four language skill areas (writing, reading , listening, speaking). Your language test results must remain valid for two years from the test date and must still be valid on the day you submit your permanent residence application.
If you have work experience in more than one occupation, you must meet the language proficiency threshold for the occupation in which you have more work experience.
For TEER categories 0 or 1, a minimum language proficiency of CLB 7 for English or NCLC 7 for French is required. For TEER categories 2 or 3, the minimum language proficiency is CLB 5 for English or NCLC 5 for French.
Approved language tests include IELTS-General, CELPIP-General, and PTE Core for English, and TEF Canada, TCF Canada for French.
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The short answer is no! The Canadian Experience Class doesn't have a specific education requirement. However, you can — and it’s also recommended — improve your ranking in the Express Entry pool by providing proof of your education. This entails providing evidence of completing your education and possessing credentials from a Canadian institution, and if your education was obtained outside of Canada, you'll also need to provide an Educational Credential Assessment to show equivalence to a completed education at the same level.
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If you are a refugee claimant in Canada, working without authorization, or your work experience was gained without temporary resident status in Canada, you will not be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class.
Federal Skilled Trade (FST)
The Federal Skilled Trades Class encompasses skilled trade occupations listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
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Major Group 72 (technical trades and transportation officers),
Major Group 73 (general trades),
Major Group 82 (supervisors in natural resources),
Major Group 83 (occupations in natural resources),
Major Group 92 (processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors),
Major Group 93 (central control and process operators),
Minor Group 6320 (cooks, butchers, and bakers), and
Unit Group 62200 (chefs).
Skilled trades workers listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) have the opportunity to become permanent residents in Canada based on their ability to financially establish themselves in a skilled trade,
To be considered for this program, you must provide certain supporting documents required for this category, intend to reside outside the province of Quebec, and you must be admissible to Canada.
For most cases, applicants under the Federal Skilled Trades Class need to demonstrate they have enough Settlement Funds. The funds must be available, transferable, and free from debts. However, certain exceptions such as holding a job offer, can make it easier to meet these financial requirements.
Minimum Requirements - FST
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You demonstrate language proficiency by meeting specific language test thresholds. To meet language requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you must take approved language tests assessing your writing, reading, listening, and speaking abilities. Ensure the test results are entered in your Express Entry profile, and the language tests are valid for two years from the test date and remain valid on the day you apply for permanent residence. The minimum scores required are:
CLB 5 for English speaking and listening,
CLB 4 for English reading and writing,
NCLC 5 for French speaking and listening, and
NCLC 4 for French reading and writing.
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Within the five years before applying, you have at least two years of full-time work experience (or the equivalent in part-time work), in the skilled trade occupation specified in your application. You should demonstrate that your experience aligns with the description in the NOC and were qualified to independently practice the trade occupation during this work.
Your work experience must be paid (wages or commission). Volunteer work or unpaid internships are not considered.
You must indicate that you performed the actions and duties outlined in the occupational descriptions of the National Occupational Classification, including all of the essential duties, and most of the main duties.
You must meet the employment requirements of the skilled trade occupation, excluding the need for a certificate of qualification from a provincial authority.
It's important to note that your application could be denied if your trade work experience does not align with the description in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). or if you weren't qualified to independently practice the trade during that time.
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You should fulfill at least one of the following:
Hold a certificate of qualification from a provincial or federal authority, or
Hold a job offer from up to two employers, which must entail full-time, continuous, paid employment for a minimum of one year in one of the listed skilled trade jobs. Additionally, consideration must be given to whether you hold a valid work permit that is exempt from an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), are currently working in Canada with a positive LMIA, or require a new positive LMIA.
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A certificate of qualification is a document that confirms your eligibility to work in a specific skilled trade in Canada. It indicates that you have successfully passed a certification exam and met all the requirements to practice your trade in the province, territory, or under a federal authority that issued the certificate. The assessment process for obtaining this certificate involves evaluating your training, trade experience, and skills. Depending on the issuing body, it may be referred to as a 'certificate of qualification' or a 'qualification certificate.
To obtain a certificate of qualification, you must undergo assessment by the province or territory where you intend to live and work. Each province and territory has its own set of requirements and certification process. This assessment may require you to visit the province or territory for evaluation, and you may need an employer in Canada to provide you with experience and training. If the province or territory does not issue certificates for your trade, having a valid job offer in your trade is necessary for eligibility in this program
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The short answer is no! The Federal Skilled Trades Program doesn't have a mandatory education requirement. However, you can — and it’s also recommended — improve your ranking in the Express Entry pool by providing proof of your education. This entails providing evidence of completing your education and possessing credentials from a Canadian institution, and if your education was obtained outside of Canada, you'll also need to provide an Educational Credential Assessment to show equivalence to a completed education at the same level.
How We Can Help
Express Entry (EE)
We will assess your unique circumstances and your eligibility.
We will assist you with creating your Express Entry profile.
When invited, we will assist you with preparing the application package, including the application forms and supporting documents and prepare a tailored submission letter and submit your application within the required timeline.
We will provide ongoing assistance and continuous support throughout your application process., including communications with the respective authorities and keeping you informed about the status of your application
We will guide you for you pre-arrival preparations.
We will support and assist you with your post- arrival needs.
The maximum possible score for Express Entry is currently 600 (excluding PNP)
Settlement Fund Requirement
If you don't have arranged employment from an employer and are not authorized to work in Canada, you'll need to provide documentation of Settlement Funds; however, this is only required if you are invited to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program. These funds must be readily accessible as proof of your ability to support yourself and any accompanying family members who come to Canada with you. You can learn more about the settlement funds you might be required to provide by visiting the Proof of funds – Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)
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It refers to an employer who has been authorized or designated by a province to offer job opportunities to foreign workers, particularly in programs like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or the Atlantic Immigration Program. Designated employers play a crucial role in the immigration process, especially when a job offer is a prerequisite for a candidate's application for permanent residency.
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It refers to the financial resources that newcomers to Canada are required to have to support themselves and their family members upon arrival. This fund is expected to cover living expenses, including housing, utilities, and other basic needs. The purpose of the settlement fund is to ensure that immigrants have the financial means to establish themselves in their new community and address initial costs until they secure employment or settle into their new life. The specific amount required may vary based on immigration programs and family size.
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An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is a process used to evaluate and verify the equivalency of a foreign educational credential, such as a degree, diploma, or certificate, to a Canadian one. This assessment helps immigration authorities and educational institutions determine the value and authenticity of an individual's foreign education for various purposes, such as immigration, employment, or further education in Canada.
If you require an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), it should be obtained specifically for immigration purposes. Both your ECA report and the reference number should be provided in your Express Entry profile.
To learn more, you can visit: Educational Credential Assessment - ECA
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A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that Canadian employers may be required to get before hiring foreign workers. A positive LMIA demonstrates the necessity of hiring a foreign worker for the job and confirms the unavailability of Canadian citizens or permanent residents for the position. If an employer requires an LMIA, they must apply for one. Once obtained, the worker can apply for a work permit using the job offer letter, contract, a copy of the LMIA, and the LMIA number.
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A full-time job is one that involves working at least 30 hours per week and amounts to a minimum of 1,560 hours of paid employment per year, where wages are paid and/or commission is earned.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
This program is designed for skilled and educated individuals who possess the ability to financially support themselves and their families in Canada. They have a goal of permanently residing in specific Canadian provinces or territories and contributing to the economic and cultural growth of the province/territory.
If deemed eligible, the province will issue a Nomination Certificate in the individual’s name. This certificate, an official document issued by a Canadian province or territory, endorses the individual for a specific immigration program. It signifies that the individual has been nominated for permanent residency.
A Certificate of Nomination enables the individual to apply for permanent residence within the specified timeframe. Additionally, applicants must:
intend to reside outside the province of Quebec,
be admissible, and
meet the requirements and conditions in accordance with the provincial/territorial program they are applying for.
The province of Quebec and territory of Nunavut do not have PNP and immigrating to those destinations follows different paths. The participating provinces and territories in the PNP are:
You can apply for the Provincial Nominee Program via Non-Express Entry or Express Entry processes:
Non -Express Entry process:
If eligible and meet the requirement, applicants nominated under a non-Express Entry PNP stream should apply for permanent residence directly through the website of the respective province or territory. If you receive a nomination, you can apply for permanent residence online. and provide additional document, if required.
Express Entry process:
Applicants first need to create an Express Entry profile, express their interest in the PNPs, and get accepted into the pool. They must meet the eligibility criteria for one of the Express Entry programs and one of the provinces or territories participating in the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Additionally, they need to receive a nomination from the respective province or territory to their account and accept it. If so, the applicant should contact the province/territory and apply through their EE stream.
OR,
Alternatively, applicants can contact the province or territory and apply for a nomination under an Express Entry stream. If the province or territory agrees to nominate you, you can then create an Express Entry profile (or update your profile if you already have one) and demonstrate that you have been nominated.
How We Can Help
PNP
We will asses your qualifications and eligibility.
We will assist you with preparing all application forms and supporting documents in accordance with the requirements of the respective province/territory of your preference/nomination.
We will prepare a tailored submission letter and submit your full application package within the required timeline.
We will provide ongoing assistance and continuous support throughout your application process, including communications with the respective authorities and keeping you informed about the status of your application.
We will assist you with pre-arrival preparations, upon approval.
We will support you with your post- arrival needs and offer you a tailored guidance and resources for adapting to life in Canada.
Pilot PR Programs, including:
Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot
Agri-Food Pilot
Caregiver Pilot
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There are 2 key date to remember about this program:
July 31, 2024: Communities must recommend candidates by this date.
August 31, 2024: Candidates need to submit their permanent residence applications to IRCC by this date.
The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) is a program driven by local communities. It aims to bring the benefits of immigration to smaller areas by offering skilled foreign workers a way to become permanent residents if they want to work and live in one of the participating communities.
Requirements:
Meet IRCC and community-specific requirements.
Secure a job offer in a participating community.
Submit your application to the community for recommendation.
If recommended, apply for permanent residence
Each community has its own:
Additional eligibility criteria.
Job search and recommendation process.
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The Agri-Food Pilot is currently open for applications until May 14, 2025.
It aims to address labor shortages in Canada's agri-food sector.
This pilot offers a pathway to permanent residency for experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries and occupations within the sector.
Recent changes, effective February 10, 2024, include:
Applicants residing in Canada during application submission can now meet either the job offer or educational requirement.
Work experience obtained under an open work permit for vulnerable foreign workers now counts towards the work experience requirement.
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The Home Child Care Provider Pilot and the Home Support Worker Pilot are 5-year programs for caregivers and their families to move to Canada with the goal of becoming permanent residents.
Both pilot programs are set to expire on June 17, 2024.
If you have a job offer or experience as a caregiver in Canada, you may qualify for permanent residency through these pilots.
Your eligibility depends on your work experience in either:
Home Child Care Provider: Caring for children in your or your employer's home.
Home Support Worker: Providing assistance to someone in your employer's home.
Living with your employer isn't necessary for eligibility.
Both pilot programs are set to expire on June 17, 2024.
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