Express Entry (EE) Programs

Who It's For

Skilled foreign nationals or international graduates who’ve worked in Canada.

Your work must be in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation under the current NOC system

Core Eligibility

1. Skilled Work Experience:
   • At least 1 year (1,560 hours) full‑time (or equivalent part‑time) within the last 3 years
   • Work must have been completed while legally in Canada
2. Language Requirements: Depends on NOC level
   • CLB 7 if your job is TEER 0 or 1 (professional/managerial)
   • CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 (skilled trades or technical roles)
3. Education:
   • Not mandatory
   • Post‑secondary education—Canadian or foreign (with ECA)—can help boost CRS score
4. Funds:
   • No need to show settlement funds if you are currently authorized to work in Canada
5. Admissibility:
   • Must have clear criminal and medical records
   • IRCC assesses admissibility during application review
6. Residency Plan:
   • You must intend to live outside Quebec
   • CEC applies to all other provinces and territories

Application Flow

• Verify you meet eligibility and language requirements.
• Create an Express Entry profile under the CEC category.
• You'll enter the Express Entry pool, where candidates are ranked via the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
• IRCC draws category-based rounds, mostly favoring CEC candidates in 2025.
• If your CRS is high enough, you'll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• Submit your PR application within 60 days — processing is typically within 6 months

Recent Trends & Strategy

• CEC-Only Draws: IRCC is prioritizing CEC candidates—especially with recent Canadian work—so your chances are higher
• High CRS Cutoffs: In January 2025, the spot CRS cutoff was 542 for CEC draws
• Category-Based Rounds: Include priority draws for Francophones, healthcare, trades, and education professionals

Why CEC Might Be Best for You

• Fast-track PR: Six-month average processing.
• No financial proof required.
• Great leverage if you've already built Canadian work experience.
• Strong preference from IRCC in 2025 draws.

Next Steps

• Ensure you’ve got 1,560 hours of skilled Canadian work in the past 3 years.
• Take an approved IELTS / CELPIP / TEF / TCF test to hit CLB 5 or 7.
• Gather employment references detailing hours, job duties matching the NOC.
• Create or update your Express Entry profile as soon as you're eligible.
• Monitor your CRS, and consider improving it via: higher language scores, education credentials, or a Provincial Nomination.

Who It's For

Applicants must have two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) experience in a qualifying skilled trade within the last five years, under NOC TEER 2 or 3 (e.g., industrial, construction, maintenance, manufacturing, chefs, butchers)

Core Eligibility Requirements

• Skilled Trade Work Experience: Minimum 2 years in the past 5 years (≈3,120 hours)
• Job Offer or Certificate of Qualification (CoQ): A full‑time job offer for at least 12 months (LMIA-based), or a valid CoQ issued by a Canadian province, territory, or federal authority
• Language Proficiency: CLB 5 in speaking/listening; CLB 4 in reading/writing
• Education: Not required—but if applying, you must get an ECA for non-Canadian credentials to earn CRS points
• Proof of Funds: Required unless you have a valid Canadian job offer and work authorization
• Intent to Live Outside Quebec: Quebec has its own trade streams.
• Admissibility: Must pass standard health, criminal, and security checks.

Program Features

• Express Entry Process: FSTP applicants enter the Express Entry pool, receive a CRS score, and wait for an ITA—processing typically completes within 6 months after submission
• Lower Barriers:
  • Lower language thresholds (CLB 5/4).
  • No education requirement.
  • Occasionally benefits from FST-targeted draws with CRS cutoffs far below those of other streams

Pros & Cons

• Advantages:
  • Streamlined process—no foreign education required
  • Reduced language requirements
  • Access to targeted draws with lower CRS thresholds
• Limitations:
  • Must secure CoQ or 12-month job offer
  • Requires trade-specific work and regulation
  • Draws are less frequent and competitive

Is FSTP Right for You?

• You have 2+ years of experience in an eligible skilled trade.
• You hold a CoQ or have a valid Canadian job offer.
• You meet the CLB 5/4 language standard.
• Otherwise, consider alternatives like the FSWP or CEC—each has different work, education, and language expectations.

Next Steps

• Confirm Trade Eligibility: Check if your occupation’s NOC is in the eligible groups (72, 73, 82, 92, 632, 633).
• Obtain a CoQ or Job Offer: Essential to even apply.
• Take a Language Test: Aim for CLB 5 in speaking/listening and CLB 4 in reading/writing.
• Get an ECA: (if claiming education for CRS).
• Create/Update Express Entry Profile: Indicate FSTP eligibility to enter the pool.
• Monitor Draws & CRS Cutoffs: Track program-specific draws to understand timing and score trends.

CRS Scoring Breakdown

The CRS is divided into two main components:

• Core/Human Capital Factors (up to 500 points)
• Additional Factors (up to 600 points)

1. Core/Human Capital Factors (up to 500 points)

These factors are based on your age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and spouse (if applicable). Here’s how it works:

Age Factor (Maximum: 110)

• Under 18: 0 points
• 18-35 years: 100 points
• 36 years: 95 points
• 37 years: 90 points
• 38 years: 85 points
• 39 years: 80 points
• 40 years: 75 points
• 41 years: 70 points
• 42 years: 65 points
• 43 years: 60 points
• 44 years: 55 points
• 45 years and above: 0 points

Education Factor (Maximum: 150)

• Secondary school (high school): 30 points
• 1-year post-secondary diploma: 90 points
• 2 or 3-year post-secondary diploma: 98 points
• Bachelor’s degree: 120 points
• Master’s degree: 135 points
• Doctoral (PhD) degree: 150 points

Language Proficiency (Maximum: 160)

Your official language proficiency in English or French is crucial to your CRS score. The higher your score in IELTS or CELPIP (English) or TEF and TCF (French), the more points you get. Here’s how it works:

• CLB 7 (min. for Express Entry): 16 points for each ability (speaking, listening, reading, writing)
• CLB 9 or higher: 32 points per ability

For example, if you achieve a CLB 9 (higher is better), you could score 32 points in each of the 4 language abilities, for a total of 128 points.

2. Additional Factors (up to 600 points)

These factors allow applicants to earn extra points for specific qualifications, such as having a job offer, provincial nomination, or a sibling in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) (Maximum: 600)

A Provincial Nominee nomination grants you 600 additional points. This is the most impactful additional factor, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply (ITA). If you’re nominated, you'll be invited to apply for permanent residency, regardless of your CRS score.

Job Offer (Maximum: 200 points)

• NOC 00 (Top-level positions like CEO): 200 points
• Any other valid job offer: 50 points
• For a job offer to be valid, it must be a full-time, permanent position with a Canadian employer. Additionally, some job offers require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from the employer.

CRS Score Example

Here’s a typical CRS example for a single candidate:

• Age: 30 years old = 105 points
• Education: Bachelor's degree = 120 points
• Language Proficiency: IELTS CLB 9 (English) = 128 points
• Work Experience: 5 years in NOC 0/1/2/3 = 50 points
• Total (Core Factors): 403 points

Additional Factors:

• Provincial Nominee = 600 points
• Total CRS score = 1003 points

With 1003 points, this candidate is highly competitive in the pool.

Strategies to Maximize Your CRS Score

• Improve Language Scores: Increasing your language scores by even one band can significantly boost your CRS points. Focus on improving your speaking and listening skills, as these often have the biggest impact.
• Get a Provincial Nomination: If you qualify for a provincial nominee program (PNP), apply for nomination to get the full 600 points. Many provinces have their own streams for Express Entry candidates.
• Work Experience: Aim to accumulate more years of skilled work experience, especially in Canada, to improve your CRS points for work experience.
• Education: If possible, pursue further studies in Canada. A higher degree (like a Master’s or PhD) can significantly increase your CRS score.
• Spouse’s Qualifications: If you’re married, ensure that your spouse also contributes positively to the CRS score. Their education, language skills, and Canadian work experience can help increase your total score.
• Additional Languages (French): Learning French or improving your French skills can earn you up to 30 additional points, which is a significant boost.
• Get a Job Offer: If you can secure a full-time, permanent job offer, it will add 50 or 200 points, depending on the NOC level of the job.

Final Thoughts

To get an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you need to rank high enough in the Express Entry pool, and that depends on your CRS score. Focus on improving your language skills, gaining Canadian experience, and possibly obtaining a provincial nomination or job offer.

How They Can Work Together

Enhanced PNPs are linked to Express Entry. You can:

• Create an Express Entry profile
• Apply to a province’s EE-aligned PNP stream
• If nominated → gain 600 CRS points → receive ITA

Summary

• Express Entry = Fast, competitive, points-based system. Best for top-ranked candidates with strong profiles.
• PNP = Targeted and flexible. Ideal for those with ties to a province, job offers, or in-demand skills.