Immigrate – Express Entry Programs

Program Overview

Canada’s federal government is working to develop immigration policies that will alleviate strain on its economy and its most important industries by attracting talented workers from outside. One such program is called Federal Skilled Trades, and it covers a wide range of occupations.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program categorizes skilled occupations according to the NOC, which is broken down as follows: https://canadianvisa.org/canada-immigration/skilled-worker/federal-skilled-trades

·       Major Group 72-industrial, electrical, and construction trades

·       Major Group 73- maintenance and equipment operation trades

·       Major Group 82-supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production

·       Major Group 92-processing, manufacturing, and utility supervisors and central control operators

·       Minor Group 632-chefs and cooks

·       Minor Group 633-butchers and bakers

If your line of work falls under one of the categories above, you have a fantastic opportunity to not just visit Canada, but to eventually make Canada your permanent home and build a successful career.

Trade Assessment:  

Sometimes, potential employees need to have their skills evaluated. Certification for employment in a certain jurisdiction is issued by a separate agency in each province and territory.

·       Alberta

·       British Columbia

·       Manitoba

·       New Brunswick

·       Newfoundland and Labrador

·       Northwest Territories

·       Nova Scotia

·       Nunavut

·       Ontario

·       Prince Edward Island

·       Saskatchewan

·       Yukon

Individuals who have already established themselves as skilled professionals in Canada may qualify for permanent residency under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CEC program makes it easier for international students and workers to enter Canada. The Canadian Experience Class may be the quickest route to permanent residence for many overseas graduates. The CEC is working to expand Canada’s pool of qualified workers. In the event that you have worked in Canada without the proper paperwork, know that your experience will not count. Work experience earned while enrolled as a full-time student (for example, on a co-op work term) does not qualify for this program, nor does self-employment. If your current work permit in Canada is set to expire in four months or less and you have applied for permanent residence under CEC class, you may be eligible for a bridging open work permit. If IRCC approves your application for permanent residence, you can remain working while you wait for the result.

Starting on January 1, 2015, foreign nationals will be selected using the Express Entry System and will require an invitation in order to apply. Applicants are welcome to stay in Canada as they wait for their application to be processed. Even if you’re no longer in Canada, you can still apply under the Canadian Experience Class so long as you do so within three years of your last Canadian work experience.

For the CEC through Express Entry, you will need to meet the following requirements:

·       12 months of relevant work experience in Canada during the last three years (before you apply).

·       Gained job experience in Canada legally by working full time or for an equivalent amount part-time;

·       Took an approved language test and met minimum requirements;

·       Intended to live outside of Quebec.

Applicants for the CEC must have completed at least one year of skilled employment in Canada within the last three years. In Canada, the NOC defines “skilled job experience” as follows:

·       Management positions (NOC skill level 0)

·       Careers in the Professions (NOC skill type A)

·       Employment in the technical and skilled trades (NOC skill type B)

There is a minimum level of experience you need to have.

·       The equivalent of one year of full-time work is 1,560 hours, which may be achieved by working 30 hours per week for 12 months.

·       15 hours a week for 24 months is a full-time year’s worth of work (1,560 hours)

·       Working multiple part-time jobs for a year equals full-time work (30 hours per week x 52 weeks) (1,560 hours)

·       IRCC may reject your application if your prior work history does not correspond to the requirements listed in the NOC for the position for which you are applying.

A government application processing fee is required for most applications submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Program Overview
This is a cornerstone of our immigration system and one of the most widely used immigration programs. One of the most popular ways to enter Canada is simple and quick. The program has been through several iterations and added constraints before becoming a component of the Express Entry Application System. This program is the primary avenue for skilled professionals to come to Canada. Thus it has been and will continue to be a popular choice for people wishing to settle in Canada.

A government application processing fee is required for most applications submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Starting on January 1, 2015, foreign nationals will be selected using the Express Entry System and will require an invitation to apply. Express Entry allows Federal Skilled Workers in 347 qualified occupations to enter the Express Entry Pool if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker program are only evaluated if they meet specific criteria, including but not limited to:

Work background
·       Work experience at skill level 0 or levels A or B of the 2011 National Occupational Classification in a field related to your major NOC

·       within the past ten years

·       volunteering and unpaid internships do not qualify)

·       minimum of 12 months (1,560 hours or 30 hours per week) within the past three years.

·       You will need to provide evidence that you fulfilled the responsibilities listed for your occupation in the NOC.

Education
A certificate, diploma, or degree from an accredited secondary (high school) or post-secondary institution in Canada is required. If you have completed secondary (high school) or postsecondary education outside of Canada, you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from an approved agency to confirm that your education is equivalent to that of a Canadian credential holder.

Competence in Language
To demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, hearing, and speaking at the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 level, you must take and pass an official language test in either English or French. Test results older than two years will be disqualified when applying for permanent residence.