The Express Entry system is an online immigration program established by the Canadian government to manage applications for skilled workers seeking to move to Canada. This system oversees three primary pathways:

1. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

2. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

The system works by awarding points to candidates, which determines their eligibility to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. Points are allocated based on the following categories:

• Language Proficiency: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French and achieve the minimum required score based on their chosen pathway.

• Type of Work Experience: The type of work experience required varies by pathway.

• CEC and FSWP require experience in occupations classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0 to 3.

• FSTP requires experience in a skilled trade under key groups classified as TEER 2 or TEER 3.

• Amount of Work Experience:

• CEC: At least one year of work experience in Canada within the last three years.

• FSWP: One year of continuous work experience within the last ten years.

• FSTP: Two years of work experience within the last five years.

• Job Offer:

• A job offer is not required for CEC and FSWP.

• For FSTP, a valid job offer of full-time employment for at least one year or a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority is required.

• Education:

• There are no education requirements for CEC and FSTP.

• FSWP requires at least a secondary school education.

The points system is consolidated into the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which ranks candidates within the Express Entry pool. To receive an ITA, an applicant’s CRS score must meet or exceed the minimum score set for a particular round of invitations. This score differs with each round. The IRCC website provides a CRS calculator tool to help applicants estimate their scores.

Required Documents for an Express Entry Application
To apply, candidates need the following documents:

• A valid passport or travel document

• Language test results

• Proof of Canadian education or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report

• A written job offer from a Canadian employer, if applicable

• Proof of work experience

• Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation, if applicable

• Proof of funds

• Police certificates

• Provincial nomination, if applicable

Once these documents are prepared, applicants can create an account on the IRCC portal and submit an Express Entry profile. After submission, the profile will be placed in a pool with other eligible candidates. If an applicant’s profile ranks high in a specific round, they will receive an ITA for permanent residency.

It’s important to note that applicants can update their profiles, especially if changes can improve their CRS ranking.