What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Express Entry into Canada?

If you are a foreign professional looking to come to Canada through the Express Entry program – or if you are an employer looking to bring a foreign professional to Canada through this program, it is important to understand the process and the eligibility requirements. 

To apply for Express Entry, it will be a two-step process. In the first step, you will have to submit your profile and include the following documentation: 

• The results of your language proficiency test. 
• Educational credential assessment report. 
• Travel document or passport. 

Once your profile has been submitted and the Canadian government sends you an invitation to apply for permanent residency, you will have to complete a more thorough application that will include additional documents such as identification, reference letters, police check, and medical examination results. 

Who is eligible for Express Entry? 

To be eligible for Express Entry, you must have a university degree, or a college degree combined with work experience. Ideally, you must also have moderate proficiency in English and/or French. You may also qualify if you eligible for any of the  below listed programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

What are the eligibility requirements for Express Entry? 

Generally speaking, you must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Express Entry: 

• Within the past 10 years, you must have had at least one year full-time (or part-time equivalent) experience in a skilled occupation. 
• Achieve a minimum score of seven in the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in English and/or French. 
• Have a post-secondary education. (This will be assessed with an Educational Credential Assessment against Canadian standards). 

It is important to note that the standards above represent the minimum requirements needed for express entry. Meeting these requirements will not necessarily mean that you will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence. You will also be rated against other Express Entry candidates and those with stronger profiles will be selected over those that only meet the minimum eligibility requirements. 

Other Factors That are Considered for Express Entry

Candidates who apply for Express Entry into Canada are ranked on a comprehensive ranking system. The higher a candidate ranks on this system, the more likely they are to be invited to apply for permanent residence. 

Selection factors include your language proficiency score, age, level of education and work experience as well as your Canadian connections. 

Ideal candidates tend to have the following characteristics but are not limited to: 

• Under the age of 30 years. 
• Have at least two Bachelor’s degrees or a Master’s degree. 
• Have a language proficiency score in French and/or English of at least nine. 
• Have three or more years of skilled work experience. 
• Sufficient funds to support yourself in Canada. 

To boost your ranking even further, you may wish to have:

• Higher language proficiency – especially bilingualism in both English and French. 
• An MA or Ph.D.
• Work experience in Canada.
• An immediate family member living in Canada. 
• An offer of employment from a Canadian company. 
• A nomination from a provincial nominee program. 

Contact Minhas Lawyers today!

When applying for Express Entry into Canada, it is important to ensure that all of your documentation is in order. Incomplete documentation or documentation with errors could lead to your application being rejected. Having an experienced Canadian immigration lawyer aids in facilitating the process so there are not errors in your application and all required documentation is accurately provided 

To speak with one of our immigration lawyers about Express Entry Program into Canada, give us a call today!