If you are a skilled worker or a member of the Canadian Experience Class, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an online application management system that allows you to apply for permanent residence in Canada if you are already living abroad or in Canada. If your application is eligible, it will enter the Express Entry pool.

The Express Entry program has three streams: Federal Skilled Worker Class – Federal Skilled Trades Class – Canadian Experience Class. An applicant may choose which stream they wish to apply under based on their area of expertise and/or job opportunity.

Who can apply?

Express Entry is a system that allows skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. It’s run by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which is also called Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

As a job offer-based program, Express Entry is designed specifically for people who have the skills required by employers in Canada. You can apply to work in many different kinds of jobs in a variety of industries through this system—but not everyone is eligible to join the pool that IRCC draws from when it comes time to select candidates for immigration.

In general, you’ll be able to apply for Express Entry if you’re:

• At least 18 years old;

• Able to support yourself and any dependents financially;

• Eligible for one of the three federal economic immigration programs under which you might qualify—Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC), Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC) or Canadian Experience Class (CEC);

• In good health;

• A citizen or permanent resident of one country outside of Canada AND have at least one year’s worth of full-time work experience within two years before your application date OR three years’ worth of part-time work experience within four years before your application date;

How does it work?

Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

• the Federal Skilled Worker program (FSWP)

• the Federal Skilled Trades program (FSTP)

• the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Federal Skilled Trades Program

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Provincial Nominee Programs

The Federal Skilled Worker Program

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program is for skilled workers with at least 1 year of full-time paid work experience in Canada in the past 10 years.

• The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers in jobs that are in demand in Canada.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled tradespersons who want to immigrate to Canada. You must have at least one year of experience in a trade and meet certain other requirements. Only certain trades are eligible for this program.

If you are accepted into the Federal Skilled Trades Program, you will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) from IRCC that allows you to apply for permanent residence on your own, without an employer’s help or sponsorship (unless required by law).

The Canadian Experience Class

If you’re in the Canadian Experience Class, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• You have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience in Canada in the last 10 years and are currently working for a Canadian employer.

• You have at least 24 months of cumulative full-time (or equivalent) skilled work experience over a period of time that includes no more than 12 months from when your application was submitted to IRCC.