Express Entry eligibility
Express Entry was implemented in January 2015, to bring various visa classes into one system to help streamline and speed the application system.
Express Entry now processes applications for:
- Federal Skilled Worker (professionals) visas
- Provincial Nomination visas
- Work Permits (employer sponsored)
For each route a candidate must still meet the minimum skill requirement and have skills that are in demand at a national, provisional or single employer level.
Use our Free Assessment tool above, and choose 'Express Entry', to discover if you qualify.
What Factors are Considered?
To qualify you will be required to achieve a minimum number of points based on various factors which include:
- Age
- Qualifications
- Experience
- Registration with Red Seal/Governing body
- English/French Language ability
- Spouse
- Previous work and education in Canada
- Links to Canada/Province
- Employer sponsorship
Each factor attracts a number of points, these points will determine whether a candidate is eligible to submit an "Expression Of Interest" - this is where a person is finally able to present themselves to the Federal Immigration Authorities, Provincial authorities and local employers.
Skills Assessments
Skills assessments relevant to your profession will determine your eligibility and your chances of selection for emigration with sponsorship from an employer, province or selection by the federal government.
Offers are made based on a candidate's points. Those with the highest points will be selected first.
Provincial Nomination
Canadian provinces have a great deal of autonomy from the federal government; indeed, a huge amount of governmental authority is retained by the provinces.
Recent trends suggest that rather than try to centralise, the federal government is keen to have provinces assert that authority.
In few places is that more visible than in the rise of provincial nominations as a key route to Canada.
Provinces may have a shortage of skills particular to their regional economy, and make their own rules about who it seeks to welcome to the province.
Provincial nominations must still be signed-off by the federal government, but these nominations provide an excellent option to immigrate.
There is always competition for these visas and you will be selected based on links to the region and your case history points.
Employer Sponsorship
An employer who has the necessary permission (a "Labour Market Impact Assessment", or LMIA) may offer employment to foreign national employees.
However, while as a foreign national you are allowed to accept such an offer, you will not be able to begin work in Canada without first securing the necessary work permit or permanent residency visa.
You can start the process today by using our assessment tool above, to see if you might be eligible.
