Canadian Experience Class
- For skilled workers who have Canadian work experience
- Work experience must have been gained in the 3 years before you apply
Immigrating to Canada is a popular option for many people around the world. Canada is a welcoming country with a high quality of life, and it offers several immigration pathways for individuals wishing to move to the country.
Immigrate as a skilled worker
Immigrate by being nominated by a Canadian province or territory
Sponsor your relatives, including your spouse, partner, children, parents, grandparents, and others to immigrate
Immigrate as a skilled worker in the province of Quebec
Immigrate by graduating from a school or working in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador
Immigrate by providing care for children, the elderly or those with medical needs, or work as a live-in caregiver
Immigrate by starting a business and creating jobs
Immigrate as a self-employed person in cultural or athletic activities
Immigrate by working in specific agri-food industries and occupations
Express Entry is an online system that we use to manage immigration applications from skilled workers. There are 3 immigration programs managed through Express Entry:
According to the eligibility one can apply through the express entry stream and applications can be redirected to the provincial nominee programs as well. If you are nominated you will get extra points and gets invited quickly.
There are three immigration programs under Express Entry, and each has different requirements. You will need about 10 to 15 minutes to fill out this form.
You will be asked questions about your
Based on your answers, we'll tell you what programs you may be eligible for, so be as accurate as you can.
If you are eligible for Express Entry, we will give you a detailed list of instructions on what to do next. This would include filling out an online profile. Based on this profile, if you meet the requirements, you will be put in a pool of candidates for immigration, and possibly invited to apply to immigrate.
Eligibility criteria | Canadian Experience Class | Federal Skilled Worker Program | Federal Skilled Trades Program |
---|---|---|---|
Language skills | English or French skills
|
English or French skills
|
English or French skills
|
Type/Level of work experience |
Canadian work experience in an occupation listed in 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories:
|
Work experience in an occupation listed in 1 of these NOC TEER Categories:
|
Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2 or TEER 3:
|
Amount of work experience | One year in Canada in the last 3 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work) | One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation) | Two years within last 5 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work) |
Job offer | Not required. | Not required. But you can get selection criteria (FSW) points for having a valid job offer. |
Required:
|
Education | Not required. | Secondary education required. You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education. |
Not required. |
If you're eligible for one or more of the Express Entry programs and submit your profile, you'll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The CRS is a points-based system we use to
To be invited, you need to have a score above the minimum points score for your round of invitations.
To apply for a Permanent Residence under the Express Entry program, you must score 67 points out of 100 which assessed based on 6 factors. According to CIC, if your score is higher or equivalent to 67 you can immigrate to Canada as skilled worker. If your Canada CRS score is lower than 67, you do not qualify to migrate to Canada as a skilled worker, but you can opt for any other visa program. Once you apply under the Express Entry, the applicants with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System scores and also ranking in the Express Entry pool are sent an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Being able to communicate effectively in one or both of Canada's official languages is very important in determining a candidate's eligibility to migrate to the country. Knowing English or French or both helps you to integrate better and faster to the Canadian society. You can get up to 28 points for your skills in English and French. You will be given points based on your ability to:
In order to prove your language proficiency, you need to take a language test from an agency approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The language ability of a candidate is assessed on the basis of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) for English and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) for French. The candidate must have a minimum level of proficiency equal to CLB 7 or NCLC 7 in the first official language and CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in the second official language to score points.
First Official Language | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
---|---|---|---|---|
CLB level 9 or higher | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
CLB level 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
CLB level 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Below CLB level 7 | Not eligible to apply |
Second Official Language | Points |
---|---|
At least CLB5 in all of the four abilities | 4 |
CLB 4 or less in any of the four abilities | 0 |
You can earn a maximum of 25 points if you have a certificate, diploma or degree obtained from a Canadian secondary institution or post-secondary institution. If you have earned your education qualifications from outside Canada, you have to get your an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) done from a designated organization in order to prove that your qualifications are valid and equal to Canadian ones
You earn points based on the years of your work experience. It must be a full-time paid work experience (at least 30 hours per week) or equivalent part-time experience (15 hours per week for 24 months). Besides, the work experience must be in an occupation classified under Skill level A or B or Skill Type 0 of the 2016 National Occupational Classification. You can earn points for work experience earned while being in Canada or abroad, while studying or while being self-employed. The NOC is a system used to classify jobs in the Canadian economy. It describes duties, skills, talents and work settings for different jobs.
Points awarded for work experience are as below:
Experience | Points |
---|---|
1 Year | 9 |
2-3 Years | 11 |
4-5 Years | 13 |
6 Years or more | 15 |
Age | Points |
---|---|
Under 18 | 0 |
18-35 | 12 |
36 | 11 |
37 | 10 |
38 | 9 |
39 | 8 |
40 | 7 |
41 | 6 |
42 | 5 |
43 | 4 |
44 | 3 |
45 | 2 |
46 | 1 |
47 and older | 0 |
The score points are awarded on the basis of the age of candidate at the time of submitting the application
You can get points if you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. The job must be arranged before you apply to come to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker. A valid job offer is for a job that is continuous, paid and full-time and the duration of the job offer must be at least one year. The offer must be for an occupation listed under Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Points will be awarded based on the chart below:
If | And | Points |
---|---|---|
You currently work in Canada on a temporary work permit. |
|
10 |
You currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement under: an international agreement (such as, the North American Free Trade Agreement) or a federal-provincial agreement. |
|
10 |
You don't have a work permit, neither plan to work in Canada before obtaining PR visa. |
|
10 |
You have a valid work permit or authorized to work in Canada without a work permit. |
|
10 |
2. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will only confirm permanent job offers for occupations listed in skill type O or skill level A or B of the NOC.
If you have a spouse or common law partner who will immigrate with you to Canada, they can earn points for adaptability too. You and your spouse or common-law partner can earn a total of 10 points together for adaptability.
Adaptability | Points |
---|---|
Your spouse or partner's language level: Your spouse or common-law partner has a language level in either English or French at CLB 4 level or higher in all 4 language abilities (speaking, listening, reading and writing). To get these points, you must submit your spouse or common-law partner's test results from an approved agency when you apply. The language tests are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result. They must be valid on the day you apply for permanent residence. |
5 |
Education Experience in Canada: You have completed at least 2 academic years of full-time study (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week. You must have stayed in good academic standing (as set out by the school) during that time. |
5 |
Your spouse or partner's past studies in Canada: Your spouse or common-law partner completed at least 2 academic years of full-time study (in a program at least 2 years long) at a secondary or post-secondary school in Canada. Full-time study means at least 15 hours of classes per week, and your spouse or partner must have stayed in good academic standing (as set out by the school) during that time. |
5 |
Work Experience in Canada: You have full-time work experience of at least one year in Canada in an occupation classified under Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). You had a valid work permit or were authorized to work in Canada. | 10 |
Your spouse or common-law partner's past work in Canada: Your spouse or partner did at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada on a valid work permit or while authorized to work in Canada. | 5 |
Arranged employment in Canada: Arranged employment means a job offer obtained from a Canadian employer in an occupation classified under NOC 0. A, or B for a continuous period of one year or more. In some cases, the job offer has to be approved by Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada. | 5 |
Relatives in Canada: You or your spouse/common-law partner has a relative living in Canada. The relative must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and 18 years or older. The relative must be a:
|
5 |
There are a total of 1,200 points available under the Comprehensive Ranking System.
Age (In Years) |
With an accompanying spouse (maximum points available : 100) |
Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available : 110) |
---|---|---|
under 18 | 0 points | 0 points |
18 | 90 | 99 |
19 | 95 | 105 |
20-29 | 100 | 110 |
30 | 95 | 105 |
31 | 90 | 99 |
32 | 85 | 94 |
33 | 80 | 88 |
34 | 75 | 83 |
35 | 70 | 77 |
36 | 65 | 72 |
37 | 60 | 66 |
38 | 55 | 61 |
39 | 50 | 55 |
40 | 45 | 50 |
41 | 35 | 39 |
42 | 25 | 28 |
43 | 15 | 17 |
44 | 5 | 6 |
45 or older | 0 | 0 |
PA Refers To The Principle Applicant
Level of education | With an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 140 for PA, 10 for spouse) | Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 150) |
---|---|---|
Less than secondary (high) school credential | 0 points | 0 points |
Secondary school credential | 28 for PA; 2 for spouse | 30 |
One-year post-secondary program | 84 for PA; 6 for spouse | 90 |
Two-year post-secondary program | 91 for PA; 7 for spouse | 98 |
Post-secondary program of 3 or more years | 112 for PA; 8 for spouse | 120 |
Two or more post-secondary programs, of which at least one was completed after a post-secondary program of three or more years | 119 for PA; 9 for spouse | 128 |
Master's or entry-to-practice professional degree | 126 for PA; 10 for spouse | 135 |
Doctoral Degree (PhD) | 140 for PA; 10 for spouse | 150 |
Points are for each language ability: speaking, writing, reading and listening.
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level per ability | With a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 128 points) | Without a spouse or common-law partner (Maximum 136 points) |
---|---|---|
Less than CLB 4 | 0 | 0 |
CLB 4 | 6 for PA; 0 for spouse | 6 |
CLB 5 | 6 for PA; 1 for spouse | 6 |
CLB 6 | 8 for PA; 1 for spouse | 9 |
CLB 7 | 16 for PA; 3 for spouse | 17 |
CLB 8 | 22 for PA; 3 for spouse | 23 |
CLB 9 | 29 for PA; 5 for spouse | 31 |
CLB 10 or more | 32 for PA; 5 for spouse | 34 |
Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) | With an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 22) | Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 24) |
---|---|---|
For each language ability | 6 | 6 |
CLB 4 or lower | 0 | 0 |
CLB 5 or 6 | 1 | 1 |
CLB 7 or 8 | 3 | 3 |
CLB 9 or higher | 6 | 6 |
Number of years | With an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 70 for PA; 10 for spouse) | Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 80) |
---|---|---|
Less than 1 | 0 points | 0 points |
1 year | 35 for PA; 5 for spouse | 40 |
2 years | 46 for PA; 7 for spouse | 53 |
3 years | 56 for PA; 8 for spouse | 64 |
4 years | 63 for PA; 9 for spouse | 72 |
5 years or more | 70 for PA; 10 for spouse | 80 |
A maximum of 100 points are awarded for a candidate's skill transferability factors. There are five combinations of such skill transferability, with a maximum of 50 points awarded for each combination.
Education | CLB 7 or higher on all language abilities, with at least one of these CLB 7 or 8 | CLB 9 or higher for all language abilities |
---|---|---|
No post-secondary education | 0 | 0 |
Post-secondary education of 1 year or longer | 13 | 25 |
Two or more post-secondary credentials, the first of which was 3 or more years in duration | 25 | 50 |
Education | 1 year of Canadian work experience | 2 or more years of Canadian work experience |
---|---|---|
No post-secondary education | 0 | 0 |
Post-secondary education of 1 year or longer | 13 | 25 |
Two or more post-secondary credentials, the first of which was 3 or more years in duration | 25 | 50 |
Non-Canadian Work Experience | CLB 7 or higher on all language abilities, with at least one of these CLB 7 or 8 | CLB 9 or higher for all language abilities |
---|---|---|
No non-Canadian work experience | 0 | 0 |
1 or 2 years of non-Canadian work experience | 13 | 25 |
3 or more years of non-Canadian work experience | 25 | 50 |
Experience | 1 year of Canadian work experience | 2 or more years of Canadian work experience |
---|---|---|
No non-Canadian work experience | 0 | 0 |
1 or 2 years of non-Canadian work experience | 13 | 25 |
3 or more years of non-Canadian work experience | 25 | 50 |
Certificate of Qualification | CLB 5 or higher on all language abilities, with at least one CLB 5 or 6 | CLB 7 or higher on all language abilities |
---|---|---|
Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a province | 25 | 50 |
Additional points | All candidates |
---|---|
For a nomination certificate from a Canadian province (except Quebec) | 600 points |
For a qualifying job offer of arranged employment from a Canadian employer | 200/50 points |
You need certain documents at different stages of the Express Entry application process. You don't need to upload documents to submit a profile, but you may need information from some or all of these documents:
* As of October 1, 2023, you no longer have to get an upfront medical exam before you submit your application for permanent residence through Express Entry. An immigration medical exam (IME) from a panel physician is a requirement for permanent residence. Your family members must also have a medical exam, even if they aren't coming with you.
If you have already completed an IME: If you have already completed an IME as part of a previous application (for example, to work or study) and are currently living in Canada, you may not need to complete another one when you apply for permanent residence. When the panel physician completed your exam they would have given you an
Please provide a copy of these documents, or your IME number (or unique medical identifier number) from your previous medical exam when you apply online. If IRCC cannot use your old results, they'll send you instructions on how to get your medical exam done after you submit your application.
If you've never completed an IME, upload a blank document in the upload field of the Express Entry Profile Builder when submitting your application, and wait for IRCC to send you further instructions on when to get your medical exam.
IRCC won't approve your permanent resident application if your health; is a danger to Canada's public health or safety & would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada.
If we invite you to apply, you'll need to upload copies of the documents you used for your profile (see list above). Most applicants will also need to upload the following:
You only need to submit these if we included them in your personalized document checklist. Your application may not be refused or rejected if you don't submit these documents. They're only used to check if you meet the requirements of the program you're applying for.
If you want to come to Canada as a skilled immigrant, your first step is to submit your profile to the Express Entry pool. If you're eligible, IRCC will:
You can only apply online if we send you an invitation to apply. Completing an online Express Entry profile or entering the pool doesn't guarantee that we'll invite you to apply for permanent residence.
You may exit the profile at any time. Your information will be saved in your account. You have 60 days to complete and submit your Express Entry profile. Otherwise, you'll have to start again. Once you've filled out your profile, you can submit it online. Based on the information you enter; we'll figure out which program(s) under Express Entry you're eligible for and may be invited to apply to.
While you wait in the pool, get ready to accept an invitation to apply. If we invite you to apply, you'll have 60 days to submit a complete application.
⬥ Get your documents ready: Having your documents ready will make it easier to apply within the 60 days.
⬥ Language tests: Check that your language test results are valid. They are valid for 2 years after the date of the test result. They must also be valid on the date you apply for permanent residence. If your results expire before then, you should: be tested again or apply before your test results expire (if possible) or decline the invitation and go back into the pool to be considered in the future. If you apply for permanent residence with language test results that have expired, we'll reject your application.
⬥ Police certificates: You'll need to get police certificates for you and any of your family members who are 18 years old or older. In some countries, it can take a long time to get police certificates. Ask for them now that you're in the pool, so you can submit them before your 60 days are up.
⬥ Find a job with Job Match: You can start your job search by creating a Job Match account with Job Bank. Job Bank is a database that can help match you with employers looking for workers with your skills. You can sign up for a Job Match account after you're in the Express Entry pool. To do this, you'll need the Job Seeker validation code you received when you submitted your profile. Once you come to Canada, you can keep using Job Bank to find a job.
⬥ Try to improve your score: While you're in the pool, you can improve your score and increase your chances of being invited to apply by:
⬥ Keep your profile up-to-date: You must make sure that the information in your profile stays true and accurate at all times. You must update your profile if your situation changes, for example if you:
If you gave false information or left out important details, IRCC can:
IRCC rank candidates in the pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). When we hold Express Entry rounds of invitations, we
Types of rounds of invitations. IRCC hold different types of rounds of invitations throughout the year.
1. General rounds of invitations: In general rounds of invitations, we invite top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for 1 of the 3 programs managed through Express Entry.
2. Program-specific rounds of invitations: In program-specific rounds of invitations, we invite top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, if we're holding a round specifically for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), we would only invite candidates who are eligible for the PNP.
3. Category-based rounds of invitations: For category-based rounds of invitations, the Minister establishes a category to meet a specific economic goal. We then invite top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for this category.
You must be eligible for 1 of the 3 programs managed through Express Entry to be placed in the pool.
Category-based rounds add to general and program-specific rounds by inviting top-ranking candidates who can help us meet specific economic goals.
We send invitations to apply to the candidates with the highest scores in the pool. If we invite you to apply, you'll have 60 days to submit your application. We'll process most complete applications that have all supporting documents in 6 months.