Minimum Requirements for Express Entry Canada
Aksel is a citizen of Norway. He intends to immigrate to Canada under the Express Entry system. Aksel holds a master’s degree in accounting. Despite his knowledge of French and English, he has not taken any official tests yet. Regardless, Aksel wonders if he can apply. He is unaware of the minimum requirements for Express Entry applications to Canada.
Table of contents
Introducing the Express Entry System
The Express Entry system covers three methods of immigration to Canada, namely:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Class/Program (FSWC or FSWP),
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
To apply under the Express Entry, you must meet the minimum requirements of at least one of these options.
Note: IRCC introduced category-based selection for Express Entry in May 2023. While members of the favoured categories have higher chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply, they must still meet the minimum requirements for Express Entry.
Comparing the Express Entry Options
The following table compares the minimum requirements for all Express Entry options:
| Must receive at least 67 points out of a 100-point grid | Federal Skilled Worker Program | Canadian Experience Class | Federal Skilled Trades Program |
| Work Experience | At least one year of full-time equivalent and continuous paid job in the past 10 years under NOC 0, 1, 2, or 3. It could be inside or outside Canada. | At least one year of full-time equivalent paid job in the past three years inside Canada under NOC 0, 1, 2, or 3. Self-employed jobs and intern jobs are unacceptable. | Under acceptable NOC 2, or 3 jobs, inside or outside Canada, at least two years of full-time equivalent paid job in the past five years. |
| Language | Mandatory CLB 7 | Mandatory CLB 7 for NOC 0 or 1 and CLB 5 for NOC 2 or 3 | Mandatory CLB 5 for speaking and listening and CLB 4 for reading and writing |
| Education | Non-Canadian education must receive an Education Credentials Assessment (ECA) | Non-Canadian education must receive an Education Credentials Assessment (ECA) | Non-Canadian education must receive an Education Credentials Assessment (ECA) |
| Job Offer from Canada | Not mandatory | Not mandatory | Mandatory if they do not hold a Certificate of Qualifications from a Canadian Province. The offer must be under an acceptable job title. |
| Certificate of Qualifications from a Canadian Province | Not Applicable | Not Applicable | Mandatory if they do not have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer |
| Selection Points | Must receive at least 67 points out of a 100 points grid | Not Applicable | Not Applicable |
| Settlement Funds | Not mandatory at the time of entering the Express Entry pool. However, if they do not have a job offer, they later need to meet the LICO. | Not Applicable | Not mandatory at the time of entering the Express Entry pool. However, if they do not have a job offer, they later need to meet LICO. |
Meeting the Minimum Requirements of Two or More Options
If someone meets the minimum requirements for more than one option, they won’t have any special advantage over others, but it won’t hurt to meet the minimum requirements of more than one category.
Provincial Nominees (PNP)
If someone intends to apply under a PNP Express Entry option, they must meet one of the minimum requirements. All PNP Express Entry options require you to enter the Express Entry pool first.
Category-based Express Entry draws.
Starting May 31, 2023, IRCC may now select candidates under specific categories. Click here for more information.
The Express Entry Pool
When you enter the Express Entry pool, you receive a score based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). While meeting the minimum requirements allows you to enter the Express Entry pool, if you do not receive a high CRS score, your chances of succeeding diminish. Currently, a good score means 460 or more CRS points. However, you still have a chance to succeed if you receive between 440 to 460 points. Unfortunately, with fewer than 440 points, your chances are meagre unless a Canadian Province selects your profile.
Please note that these numbers are approximate. The actual selection score could change drastically over time. Visit the IRCC website for official figures. Also, keep in mind that IRCC usually conducts two special invitation rounds for FSTP applicants each year. The minimum CRS scores for those two rounds are significantly lower than usual.
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Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
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