Your trusted Canadian immigration partner
Find out which Canadian immigration programs you qualify for. Free instant assessment -- no signup required.
Common questions about eligibility requirements for Express Entry and other Canadian immigration programs.
Express Entry manages three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) for skilled workers with foreign work experience, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) for those with Canadian work experience, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) for qualified tradespeople. Each has different eligibility requirements based on work experience, language ability, and education.
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program requires: at least 1 year of continuous full-time skilled work experience in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation within the last 10 years; language test results showing CLB 7 or higher in all four abilities (reading, writing, speaking, listening); an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign education; and a score of at least 67 out of 100 on the FSW selection factors grid.
The Canadian Experience Class requires at least 12 months of full-time skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years, in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. Language requirements are CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations and CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations. You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
Provincial Nominee Programs allow Canadian provinces and territories to nominate candidates for permanent residence. Many PNP streams are linked to Express Entry, meaning a provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to your Express Entry profile, virtually guaranteeing an Invitation to Apply. Each province has its own streams targeting different worker profiles, skills, and occupations.
Express Entry programs generally require work experience. However, other pathways exist: the Study Permit pathway allows you to study in Canada, gain Canadian work experience through a Post-Graduation Work Permit, and then apply through CEC or Express Entry. Some Provincial Nominee Programs also have streams for international graduates or entrepreneurs with less stringent work experience requirements.
Language requirements vary by program. The Federal Skilled Worker program requires a minimum of CLB 7 in all abilities (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 in each band). The Canadian Experience Class requires CLB 7 for NOC TEER 0/1 jobs and CLB 5 for TEER 2/3 jobs. The Federal Skilled Trades program requires CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing. Higher language scores significantly improve your CRS score.