Express Entry

From January 2015, CIC has implemented a new procedure for managing applications for permanent residence. The system provides a flexible approach to the changing needs of the Canadian personnel. Out of a pool of registered candidates, candidates who exhibit the best likelihood of success in Canada get invitations for permanent residency.

These economic immigration programs are handled by Express Entry :

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Federal Skilled Workers are selected under the Express Entry immigration system for permanent residence who meet the necessary criteria for education, work experience, age, and language ability.

The minimum requirements for the program are as follows:

1. You must work for a total of 1,560 hours to qualify as skilled work experience.
2. You must get a minimum CLB 7 score in all four abilities; each IELTS module requires at least 6 bands.
3. You need an educational credential from an approved organization or a Canadian secondary credential with an ECA.
4. Your experience in the last ten years must be in an eligible NOC occupation under skill type 0, or skill level A or B.

Employer Specific Work Permit

It is common for you to require a Labour Market Impact Assessment before working for a specific employer. If the LMIA is positive, it will demonstrate that the business needs a foreign worker. Furthermore, the report would show there are no Canadians or permanent residents qualified to take on the job.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

In order to facilitate the recruitment of overseas skilled trades workers into the Canadian workforce, the Federal Skilled Trades program was created. To address the growing labor shortage of skilled trades workers in Canada, this category has been developed.

The following requirements must be met to qualify for this program :

1. Canadian Language Benchmark 5 is required in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 is required in reading and writing.
2. If you have worked in a skilled trade in the past five years, you must have at least 2 years of full-time experience.
3. You must hold employment offers from up to two Canadian companies for at least one year, or have a Certificate of Qualification from a government agency.
4. You must have performed the essential duties of the occupation, demonstrating the required skills and experience.

Canadian Experience Class

With the CEC, foreign workers who have worked in Canada can become permanent residents, thereby retaining their skills and talents. It recognizes candidates who have contributed to the Canadian economy, and made valuable connections with Canadian society and contributed to their culture.
The CEC is not open to foreign nationals who hold temporary resident status in Canada, such as refugees or undocumented workers accumulating work experience while in Canada.

Canadian Experience Class can be obtained if :

1. You must have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for NOC 0 and A jobs.
2. You must have Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 for NOC B jobs.
3. You should have worked in Canada for at least one year within the last three years before applying.
4. You must not be inadmissible to Canada due to medical or criminal records.
5. Your work experience must have been gained legally in Canada.