Express Entry is a fast-track immigration system that was introduced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2015. Designed to streamline the process of managing applications from skilled workers, Express Entry aims to fulfill Canada’s workforce needs while facilitating the integration of newcomers into the Canadian economy. This popular program is a points-based system that enables skilled workers and their families to secure permanent residency in Canada, attracting individuals who can significantly contribute to the country’s economy and society.
RECENT UPDATES FOR 2025
Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan has exciting news for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency through Express Entry. According to the plan, an increased number of permanent residency spots will be available for Express Entry candidates in 2025.
Two main categories of candidates stand to benefit from these changes:
- In-Country Candidates
- Candidates Eligible for Category-Based Draws
HOW DOES EXPRESS ENTRY WORK?
Express Entry operates under a point-based system where candidates earn points based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and more. Each profile is evaluated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which tallies these factors to generate a total score. A higher CRS score improves your chances of receiving an ITA.
KEY PROGRAM STREAMS
It’s important to note that Express Entry isn’t a singular immigration program; it manages applications for three distinct streams:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled
- Trades Program Canadian Experience Class
Additionally, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) work in tandem with Express Entry, allowing provinces and territories to nominate candidates based on their local workforce needs. Each program has its own specific criteria and targets different types of skilled workers, making it essential to identify which stream aligns best with your qualifications and goals.
Explore your options: This pathway could be your ticket to Canada!
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER PROGRAM (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a vital pathway for skilled immigrants aiming to secure permanent residency in Canada. As part of the Express Entry system, which oversees applications under three federal economic immigration programs, the FSWP specifically targets workers with foreign experience and the expertise needed to contribute to Canada’s economy.
Applicants are evaluated based on a points system that considers various factors, including age, education, work experience, language proficiency in English and/or French, job offers, and adaptability. To qualify, candidates must meet minimum requirements across these areas.
Originally launched in 1967, the FSWP was the world’s first immigration program to utilize a points-based evaluation system, establishing Canada as a leader in immigration policy. The introduction of the Express Entry system in January 2015 enhanced the program, streamlining the application process to better respond to the needs of Canada’s labor market.
FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES PROGRAM (FSTP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is an integral part of Canada’s Express Entry system, dedicated to skilled tradespeople seeking permanent residency. The FSTP aims to address labor shortages in specific trades by attracting individuals who possess practical skills and relevant work experience in various skilled trades.
To qualify for the FSTP, applicants must meet specific criteria, including:
- A valid job offer from a Canadian employer
- Certification of qualification in their skilled trade from a Canadian provincial or territorial authority
- Proficiency in English or French
- At least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the five years prior to their application.
Launched on January 2, 2013, the FSTP was established to fulfill Canada’s increasing demand for skilled trade workers. It complements the existing Federal Skilled Worker Program by providing a pathway for applicants who may not meet the educational criteria of the FSWP but possess valuable skills in trades.
CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a key immigration program within Canada’s Express Entry system, tailored for individuals who have gained skilled work experience in Canada and aspire to become permanent residents. It is specifically aimed at temporary foreign workers and international graduates who have successfully integrated into Canadian society and amassed Canadian work experience.
KEY FEATURES OF THE CEC
- Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for the CEC, applicants must have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the three years prior to applying. This experience should fall under the Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) levels 0, 1, 2, and 3. Additionally, candidates must meet language proficiency requirements in either English or French.
- No Education Requirement: Unlike some other programs, the CEC does not mandate a minimum educational requirement. However, possessing higher education credentials can enhance a candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
Established in 2008, the Canadian Experience Class was designed to facilitate the transition of temporary foreign workers and international students into permanent residents, recognizing the value of their Canadian work experience and their successful integration into society.
Explore your options: This pathway could be your ticket to Canada!
EXPLORE PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAMS ALONGSIDE EXPRESS ENTRY
Beyond federal immigration programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC), most Canadian provinces and territories offer their own unique immigration pathways known as Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). These PNPs are often aligned with Express Entry, allowing provinces to nominate individuals who fulfill their specific labor market requirements. This offers candidates additional routes to secure permanent residency in a province that suits their skills and aspirations.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR QUEBEC WORK EXPERIENCE HOLDERS
If you have work experience in Quebec, we have good news! You may qualify for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker (FSW), or Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), depending on meeting the specific criteria of one of the programs under the Express Entry system.
However, it’s important to note that even if your work experience in Quebec is eligible for the CEC, when you apply, you must plan to settle in a province outside of Quebec. Why is this the case? Quebec has its own distinct immigration program, and the federal Express Entry system is designed for provinces outside Quebec.
So, what does this mean for you? Essentially, if you apply through Express Entry, your intent should be to settle in another province in Canada. Understanding this requirement is crucial to successfully navigating your immigration options.
Working in Quebec and looking to explore PR pathways in other provinces?
EXCITING CHANGES IN CANADIAN IMMIGRATION: A NEW PATHWAY FOR TEER 4 AND 5 WORKERS
Attention everyone!
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is proposing an exciting update to the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act (IRPA). What can you expect? They’re introducing a new permanent economic immigration class specifically designed for workers with experience and training at TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) levels 4 and 5.
According to IRCC, this innovative pathway aims to modernize the economic immigration system by broadening the range of permanent residents to include candidates with a more diverse array of skills and experience. This development opens up a world of opportunities!
Stay tuned as IRCC has announced that more detailed ministerial instructions regarding this new class and other pathways will be released soon. The goal is to provide more opportunities for in-demand yet low-skilled workers to secure permanent residency in Canada—a timely initiative that recognizes the value and contributions of diverse talent to innovation and growth across various industries.