How to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry

What is the Express Entry?

Express Entry is an online rating system for candidates who want to be a permanent resident in Canada for working. Under the system, there are three immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trade Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Requirements / Eligibility of Express Entry

If you want to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry, you have to be eligible for one of three programs of the Express Entry system (that listed above). The requirements vary depending on which program you choose. Here are the requirements for each program:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Skilled work experience: 
  • The job offer must be under skill level O (managerial jobs), A (professional jobs) or B (technical jobs and skilled trades) of NOC (National Occupation Classification).
  • The related work experience must be one year continuous within the last 10 years.
• Language ability: The minimum requirement for all writing, speaking, listening and reading skills in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is 7. You can choose English or French. With English, you can take CELPIP or IELTS. With French, you can take TCF or TEF.
• Education: You must hold a Canadian secondary or post-secondary degree (or equivalent qualification certified by an approved agency)
• Sufficient Funds: You need to prove that you have enough money for you and your family to live in Canada unless you have a valid job offer from a company in Canada, and you have permission to work.

2. Federal Skilled Trade Program

• Skilled work experience:
  • The job offer must be under skill level B in Major Group 72, 73, 82, 92, 632, 633 of NOC.
  • The related work experience must be two years within the last 5 years.
• Language ability: Have at least 5 for speaking and listening, 4 for Writing and Reading in Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). You can choose English or French. With English, you can take CELPIP or IELTS. With French, you can take TCF or TEF.
• Education: No specific requirements, but you will have advantages if you hold a Canadian secondary or post-secondary degree (or equivalent qualification certified by the approved agency).
• Sufficient Funds: You need to prove that you have enough money for you and your family to live in Canada unless you have a valid job offer from a company in Canada, and you have permission to work.

3. Canadian Experience Class

• Skilled work experience:
  • The job offer must be under skill level O (managerial jobs), A (professional jobs) or B (technical jobs and skilled trades) of NOC (National Occupation Classification).
  • The related work experience must be one year in Canada within the last 3 years.
• Language ability: In Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), if you apply for level O or A, you must achieve at least 7 for all skills; if you apply for level B, you must achieve at least 6 for all skills. You can choose English or French. With English, you can take CELPIP or IELTS. With French, you can take TCF or TEF.
• Education: No specific requirements, but you will have advantages if you hold a Canadian secondary or post-secondary degree (or equivalent qualification certified by the approved agency).
• Sufficient Funds: You need to prove that you have enough money for you and your family to live in Canada unless you have a valid job offer from a company in Canada, and you have permission to work.

Process for Express Entry

To apply through Express Entry, first, you create an Express Entry profile and fill the form following the instruction. To complete the application, you should prepare certain documents in advance:

• Passport or travel document.
• Valid language test results less than two years.
• Education credential assessment report (if you have or if you apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program)
• Your NOC job title and code.

Then, you will be checked for the requirements (one of three programs above). Once you are accepted, your profile will be in the Express Entry pool of candidates. You will receive Express Entry Profile Number and, if applicable, a Job Seeker Validation Code.