When you’re applying for the Express Entry programs, the officials would consider your profile depending on your skills. However you would first need to know if you qualify for Express Entry.
While they are going through the profile, they may also assess you depending on the ability to contribute to the economy of Canada.
At present, the Express Entry manages three immigration programs. These are nothing but the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Usually, you need to earn a CRS score based on many factors. To qualify for the streams, this score should match the cut off score set for every draw held in the country.
The officials may consider your profile if you get through a Provincial Nominee Program. In that case, you needn’t worry about anything because you would be earning a high score due to additional points.
Now, let’s look at criteria you need to qualify for Express Entry.
Do I qualify for Express Entry via Federal Skilled Worker Program
This program is meant only if you have years of work experience working with a company outside Canada.
Once the profile is selected through the Express Entry pool, you should be ready to settle in Canada permanently.
Among the selection factors, the officials would assess your profile based on your age, education, a valid job offer, and language skills. The Federal government would also consider your work experience for the program.
With regards to the point grid, you need to score at least 67 points to qualify.
- Under the work experience, your job profile must match to the ones of the NOC groups, 0, A or B. While the Express Entry profile is active, you should present a reference letter for the positions held in the past ten years.
- The employer of the firms should have paid you for the hours you had worked for. Unpaid internships are not counted while applying for this program.
- As a full-time professional, you need to have at least 1 year of work experience. The officials would accept the profile only when you have worked for minimum 1560 hours across the year.
- As you appear for the language proficiency tests, you need to earn a score of 7 as the CBL level. It should be noted that the test results would be valid for 2 years after the date when the results are declared.
- Regarding your educational background, you should have completed your studies at school in Canada. In case you have studied from an institute outside Canada, then you need to present an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Requirements for the Canadian Experience Class
This class is meant for you only if you have years of experience working with a company based in Canada.
- The officials don’t consider the educational background for the Canadian Experience Class. However, if you wish to increase the chances of being accepted, then you need to complete your high school studies. Besides, the officials may accept the profile if you have got a certificate from a post-secondary institute.
- In case you have completed your studies from a different country, then you need to present certificates equivalent to the degree stated above.
- With regards to language ability, you need to earn almost the same score across different sections. You need to prove your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking English or French.
- For job profiles under NOC 0 or A, you need to get a score equivalent to 7 as the Canadian Language Benchmark (CBL) level. But, if the job profile matches the one under NOC B, then you need to attain a score at par with 5 as the CBL level.
Requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program can be considered only when you have the skills in a particular trade. In that case, if your profile gets accepted, then you need to settle in Canada permanently.
- To qualify for the program, you should have a minimum of 2 years of work experience. Your duties should be related to skilled trade.
- The officials would check the job profile only for the past 5 years.
- A valid job offer with 1 year as work experience is another criteria you need to meet. Besides, you need to get a Certificate of Qualification which the Canadian territorial, provincial or federal authority would issue to you.
- Among the requirements, your application should match the profile under the 2016 version of the NOC list
- Your occupation should be at par with the NOC groups, 72, 73, 82, 92, 632 or 633.
- The officials wouldn’t consider your education for this program. However, to boost the rank in the pool, you must have completed studies at a high school or post-secondary school in Canada. In case you have completed your education from a different country, then you can receive points for the credential.
In the end, just like the other programs, you need to prove language proficiency in French or English. As you appear for the tests, you need to score marks equivalent to 4 as the CBL level.
Finally, you need to show proof of funds to the government. This would imply that you are able to support yourself along with your family when you stay in Canada. Moreover, you shouldn’t be refugee or have committed a crime when you’re applying for the different programs.
In case you are immigrating to Canada as a Quebec-selected skilled worker, then you need to get a Quebec Selection Certificate (QSC). This would confirm that the province has accepted you as an immigrant. Once you receive the QSC, you need to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
If you wish to start a business in Canada, then you need to declare your net worth along with work experience as an Entrepreneur.
For the Entrepreneur streams, you qualify for Express Entry even when you have been working as a Senior Manager in a company. However, you should be ready to invest in a business and manage the operational activities from a location in Canada.