There are 3 immigration programs managed through Express Entry, You may be eligible for more than one program.

Canadian Experience Class

• For skilled workers who have Canadian work experience
• Work experience must have been gained in the 3 years prior to applying

To be eligible, you must

• Have at least 1 year of paid full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada 3 years prior to applying (at least 1 560 hours, up to 30 hours a week are counted)
• Have gained your experience in Canada with the proper authorization
• Meet the required language levels needed for each language ability (writing, reading, listening, and speaking)
• Must plan to live outside the province of Quebec

Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student, such as a co-op term, does not count.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

• For skilled workers with foreign work experience
• Must meet criteria for education and other factors

Minimum Requirements

Skilled Work Experience

You must have worked in 1 of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) job groups:

• Managerial jobs (skill type 0)
• Professional jobs (skill level A)
• Technical jobs and skilled trades (skill level B)

Education

If you went to school in Canada, you must have a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution

If you have foreign education, you must have a completed credential or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes from a designated organization showing that your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution

You must

• Have at least 1 year of continuous paid work (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in the same type of job as the job you want to use for your immigration application within the last 10 years (1 560 hours, up to 30 hours a week)
• Show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada unless you are currently able to legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada
• Take an approved language test
• Have the required education

Work experience gained while you were studying may count towards your minimum requirement if the work:

• Was paid by wages or commissions
• Was continuous with no gaps in employment, and
• Meets all the other requirements of the Program

Federal Skilled Trades Program

• For skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade
• Must have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification

To be eligible, you must

• Have at least 2 years of paid full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years prior (at least 3 120 hours, up to 30 hours a week are counted)
• Meet the required language levels for each language ability (writing, reading, listening, and speaking)
• Meet the job requirements for the skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), except for needing a certificate of qualification
• Have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year, or
• Have a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
• Show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada, unless you are currently able to legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Candidates can get additional points for:

• A job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), OR
• A nomination by a province or territory
• Completion of a program of study in Canada

Having a close relative in Canada