Canada Express Entry: What It Actually Means
Express Entry is an online application management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for three economic immigration programs:
* Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
* Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
* Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Your first step is not submitting a permanent residence application. Instead, eligible candidates create an Express Entry profile and enter a pool of candidates.
IRCC then ranks candidates using the Comprehensive Ranking System. Being in the pool does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation. Your ranking needs to be competitive in an invitation round.
That distinction is important because simply creating a profile is not the same thing as being selected.
Canada Express Entry Eligibility: Who Can Enter the Pool?
Your eligibility depends on which of the three programs you qualify for.
1. Canadian Experience Class
This pathway is designed for people who have qualifying skilled work experience in Canada.
Among the requirements, applicants need at least one year of eligible Canadian work experience within the previous three years. Language requirements depend on the TEER category of the occupation.
2. Federal Skilled Worker Program
This route is aimed at skilled workers with qualifying Canadian or foreign work experience.
You juy need at least one year of continuous skilled work experience within the previous 10 years, along with language ability and other selection requirements. Education also plays an important role.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program
This program is designed for qualified workers in eligible skilled trades.
Applicants normally need two years of qualifying trade experience within the previous five years and must meet the program’s language and other requirements. A qualifying job offer or Canadian certificate of qualification may also be required.
The important lesson is that you do not need to fit every Express Entry program. You need to qualify for at least one of them.