Express Entry Guide

Last updated: July 1, 2026
🍁 Express Entry Data from canada.ca — last updated

Express Entry Immigration Programs

Express Entry manages applications for 3 federal immigration programs. Select a program above to see full eligibility requirements.

🏢
CEC

Canadian Experience Class

For skilled workers with eligible Canadian work experience.

  • Work exp: 1 year in Canada (last 3 yrs)
  • Language: CLB 7 (TEER 0/1) · CLB 5 (TEER 2/3)
  • Education: Not required
  • Job offer: Not required
  • NOC: TEER 0, 1, 2, 3
🌍
FSW

Federal Skilled Worker

For skilled workers with foreign or Canadian work experience.

  • Work exp: 1 yr continuous (last 10 yrs)
  • Language: CLB 7 in all abilities
  • Education: Secondary required
  • Job offer: Not required (adds points)
  • NOC: TEER 0, 1, 2, 3
🔧
FST

Federal Skilled Trades

For skilled workers qualified in a skilled trade.

  • Work exp: 2 years (last 5 yrs)
  • Language: CLB 5 speaking/listening · CLB 4 R/W
  • Education: Not required
  • Job offer: Required (1yr) OR cert of qualification
  • NOC: Specific TEER 2/3 trade groups

Key Differences at a Glance

Criteria Canadian Experience Class Federal Skilled Worker Federal Skilled Trades
Language (CLB) CLB 7 (TEER 0/1)
CLB 5 (TEER 2/3)		 CLB 7 all abilities CLB 5 speaking/listening
CLB 4 reading/writing
Work Experience 1 year in Canada
(last 3 years)		 1 year continuous
(last 10 years)		 2 years in trade
(last 5 years)
Work Location Canada only Foreign or Canada Foreign or Canada
NOC TEER TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 TEER 0, 1, 2, 3 Specific TEER 2/3 trade groups
Education ✓ Not required Secondary (high school) ✓ Not required
Job Offer ✓ Not required Not required (adds points) Required — 1 yr offer
OR cert of qualification
Settlement Outside Quebec Outside Quebec Outside Quebec
🏛️
Also eligible for Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

If you qualify for any Express Entry program, you can also apply through Express Entry for a Provincial Nomination. A nomination adds 600 CRS points — virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply.

Learn about Express Entry PNP →

Key Terms to Know

CLB
Canadian Language Benchmark — the Canadian standard for measuring English language ability. CLB 7 ≈ upper-intermediate.
NOC
National Occupation Classification — Canada's master list of all occupations. You must identify your NOC code when applying.
TEER
Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities — the NOC system's 6-level classification (TEER 0 = management; TEER 5 = minimal training).
CRS
Comprehensive Ranking System — the points-based score used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Higher scores receive invitations first.
ITA
Invitation to Apply — IRCC sends ITAs during draw rounds. Receiving an ITA means you can submit a full permanent residence application.
ECA
Educational Credential Assessment — required for foreign degrees. Shows your education is equivalent to Canadian standards.
🏢
CEC

Canadian Experience Class

Canada.ca last updated: June 22, 2026
View on canada.ca ↗

Canadian skilled work experience

First, find out the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for your job. Then check if it meets the requirements for skilled work experience.

Find your NOC

Your skilled work experience must:
    • Your experience can be in more than 1 NOC.
    • If you worked remotely, you must have been physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer.
    • the actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description, and
    • most of the main duties listed

Your skilled work experience must meet all the above requirements to be eligible.

Choose the NOC that most closely aligns with your work experience. This will:

  • avoid processing delays
  • make sure you’re assessed against the correct program
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Your skilled work experience must meet all the requirements to be eligible.

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How to count your work hours

You can meet the 1,560 hour requirement in a few different ways:

  • full time at 1 job: up to 30 hours a week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
  • equal amount in part-time work: for example 15 hours a week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
    • You can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
  • full time at more than 1 job: 30 hours a week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

Self-employment and student work experience

Self-employment and work experience gained while you were a full-time student (even if you were on a co-op work term) doesn’t count toward the minimum requirements for this program.

Exemption for physicians

We introduced a temporary public policy for foreign national physicians who:

  • were invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry on or after April 25, 2023, and submitted an application
  • have work experience in providing publicly funded medical services in Canada (such as fee-for-service work) and
  • aren’t eligible because they’re self-employed

We now count this work experience as Canadian work experience. When you create your Express Entry profile, to make it possible for your work experience to count as Canadian work experience, do not check the “Self-employed work” checkbox under Work experience in Canada.

Language ability

You must:

Education

There is no education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class.

If you want to improve your rank in the pool

If you want to improve your rank in the Express Entry pool, there are 2 ways you can do this.

  1. If you went to school in Canada, you can get points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian high school or post-secondary institution.
  2. If you have foreign education, you can get points if you have both of these:

Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada.

Some people aren’t allowed to come to Canada. There are different reasons we may not let you into Canada, such as security, criminal or medical reasons.

Where you can live in Canada

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information.

You can count work experience gained while living in Quebec, as long as you can prove you don’t plan to settle there.

  • You’ll have to include proof and expect officers to check anything you provide.

When you fill out your profile, we’ll ask you where you plan to live in Canada.

If you’re a Provincial Nominee, you must settle in the province or territory that nominated you.

CEC Minimum Requirements Checklist

  • ✓Canadian work experience: at least 1 year (1,560 hours) in the last 3 years
  • ✓Work must be in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation
  • ✓Work must be paid (wages or commission — no volunteer or unpaid internships)
  • ✓Work must have been done while authorized to work in Canada
  • ✓Language: CLB 7+ for TEER 0/1; CLB 5+ for TEER 2/3 (all 4 abilities)
  • ✓Plan to live outside Quebec
  • ✓Must be admissible to Canada (no criminal/medical/security bars)
🌍
FSW

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Canada.ca last updated: June 22, 2026
View on canada.ca ↗

Skilled workers

We choose skilled workers based on education, work experience, language skills, and other criteria. They include:

  • managers and supervisors
  • people in jobs that usually need:
    • a university degree
    • a college diploma, or
    • apprenticeship training

Minimum requirements

Skilled work experience

First, find out the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for your job. Then check if it meets the requirements for skilled work experience.

Find your NOC

Your skilled work experience must:
    • TEER stands for training, education, experience and responsibilities.
    • Your primary occupation may not be your most recent work experience.
    • the actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description, and
    • most of the main duties listed

Your skilled work experience must meet all the above requirements to be eligible.

Choose the NOC that most closely aligns with your work experience. This will:

  • avoid processing delays
  • make sure you’re assessed against the correct program
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Your skilled work experience must meet all the requirements to be eligible.

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How to count your work hours

You can meet the 1,560 hour requirement in a few different ways:

  • full time at 1 job: up to 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
  • equal amount in part-time work: for example, 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
    • You can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
  • full time at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

Part-time work experience

For part-time work, you can work more or less than 15 hours/week as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours. You can work more than 1 part-time job to get the hours you need to apply.

We don’t count any hours you work above 30 hours/week.

Student work experience

Work experience gained while you were studying may count towards your minimum requirements if the work:

Language ability

You must:

Education

If you went to school in Canada, you must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:

  • secondary institution (high school) or
  • post-secondary institution

If you have foreign education, you must have:

Selection factors

If you meet all the minimum requirements, we'll use selection factor points to help assess your eligibility.

We’ll assess your selection factors and assign an overall score out of 100.

  • If you score 67 points or higher, you may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. You can then submit a profile to the Express Entry pool.
  • If you score lower than 67 points, you won’t qualify for the program.

These points are different from the points we use to rank your profile in the Express Entry pool.

Language skills (maximum 28 points)

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Check the table below and add the points that match your skill level.

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 Not eligible to apply Not eligible to apply Not eligible to apply

Second official language (maximum 4 points)

You can get 4 points only if you have a score of at least CLB 5 in each of the 4 language abilities.

Second official language Points
At least CLB 5 in all of the 4 abilities 4
CLB 4 or less in any of the 4 abilities 0

Education (maximum 25 points)

You must include your Canadian credential or your foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment report when you apply.

Find out how to read your report and calculate your points for education.

Skilled work experience (maximum 15 points)

To get selection factor points, your work experience will count if it was:

  • in Canada or abroad
  • while you were studying
  • while being self-employed

Use this chart to find the number of points based on your number of years of skilled work experience.

Experience Maximum 15 points
1 year 9
2-3 years 11
4-5 years 13
6 or more years 15

Age (maximum 12 points)

You’ll get points based on your age on the day we get your application.

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

Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)

You can get points if you have a job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer. You must get the job offer before you apply to come to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker.

A valid job offer has to be:

  • for continuous, paid, full-time work (minimum of 30 hours/week) that is:
    • not seasonal
    • for at least 1 year
  • in an occupation listed in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC

We must be convinced that:

  • you’re able to do the job offered to you
  • you’ll be able to become licensed or certified when in Canada (if the occupation is regulated in Canada)

To get 10 points for a valid job offer, one of these situations must also apply.

Situation 1

You currently work in Canada on a work permit and you meet all of the following conditions:

  • Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the permanent resident visa is issued (or you’re allowed to work in Canada without a work permit when your visa is issued).
  • We issued your work permit based on a positive labour market impact assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada in an occupation listed in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC.
  • You’re working for an employer named on your work permit.
  • That employer has made a valid job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.

Situation 2

You currently work in Canada in a job that is exempt from the LMIA requirement because of 1 of the following:

  • an international agreement (such as, the North American Free Trade Agreement) or
  • significant benefit to Canadian interests or
  • a federal-provincial agreement

You must also meet all of the following conditions:

  • Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the permanent resident visa is issued (or you’re allowed to work in Canada without a permit when your permanent resident visa is issued).
  • Your current employer has made a valid job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.
  • You are currently working for the employer specified on your work permit.
  • You have been working for that employer for at least 1 year, continuous full-time or part-time equivalent.

Situation 3

You must meet all of the following conditions:

  • You currently don’t have a work permit, or don’t plan to work in Canada before you get a permanent resident visa.
  • An employer has a LMIA.
  • That employer has made you a valid job offer based on that LMIA and on you being accepted as a skilled worker.

Situation 4

You must meet all of the following conditions:

  • You have a valid work permit or are allowed to work in Canada without a work permit.
  • You’re currently working in Canada in a job that is exempt from a LMIA, but it is not under an international, federal-provincial agreement or because of significant benefit to Canadian interests.
  • An employer other than the one you are currently working for:
    • has a LMIA
    • has made you a valid job offer based on that LMIA and on you being accepted as a skilled worker.

Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

You and your spouse or common-law partner who will immigrate with you to Canada can earn points for adaptability.

You and your spouse can earn a maximum of 10 points by combining any of the elements below. These elements assess how well you and your spouse are likely to settle in Canada.

Adaptability Maximum 10 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
Your past studies in Canada

You 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
Your past work in Canada

You did at least 1 year of full-time work in Canada:

  1. In a job listed in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the NOC
  2. And, with a valid work permit, or while 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

You earned points for having arranged employment.

 5
Relatives in Canada

You, or your spouse or common-law partner, have a relative who is:

  • living in Canada
  • 18 years or older and
  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

This relative must be a:

  • parent
  • grandparent
  • child
  • grandchild
  • your or your spouse’s sibling (child of your or your spouse’s parent)
  • your or your spouse’s aunt or uncle (by blood or marriage)
  • your or your spouse’s niece or nephew (grandchild of your or your spouse’s parent)
 5

Proof of funds

You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada.

You don't need proof of funds if you:

  • are currently able to legally work in Canada, and
  • have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada.

Some people aren’t allowed to come to Canada. There are different reasons we may not let you into Canada, such as security, criminal or medical reasons.

Where you can live in Canada

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information.

You can count work experience gained while living in Quebec, as long as you can prove you don’t plan to settle there.

  • You’ll have to include proof and expect officers to check anything you provide.

When you fill out your profile, we’ll ask you where you plan to live in Canada.

If you’re a Provincial Nominee, you must settle in the province or territory that nominated you.

FSW Minimum Requirements Checklist

  • ✓Skilled work experience: minimum 1 year continuous in last 10 years
  • ✓Work must be in NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 (primary occupation)
  • ✓Work can be in Canada or abroad
  • ✓Language: CLB 7 in all 4 abilities (English or French)
  • ✓Education: at minimum a high school (secondary) diploma
  • ✓Must meet minimum selection criteria score (67/100 points)
  • ✓Plan to live outside Quebec
  • ✓Must be admissible to Canada
🔧
FST

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Canada.ca last updated: June 22, 2026
View on canada.ca ↗

Skilled trade sectors

Skilled trades need specialized knowledge and hands-on work. You’ll need an apprenticeship for most trades.

Skilled tradespeople may work in sectors such as:

  • construction
  • transportation
  • manufacturing and industrial
  • natural resources and agriculture

Skilled trades work experience

First, find out the National Occupational Classification (NOC) for your job. Then check if it meets the requirements for skilled work experience.

Find your NOC

Your skilled work experience must:
    • Major Groups 72 (excluding Sub-Major Group 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, or 93 (excluding Sub-Major Group 932)
    • Minor Group 6320
    • Unit Group 62200
    • the actions in the lead statement of the NOC job description, and
    • most of the main duties listed
    • You must have been paid wages or earned commission (volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count).

Your skilled work experience must meet all the above requirements to be eligible.

Choose the NOC that most closely aligns with your work experience. This will:

  • avoid processing delays
  • make sure you’re assessed against the correct program
<!--

Your skilled work experience must meet all the requirements to be eligible.

-->

How to count your work hours

You can meet the 3,120 hour requirement in a few different ways:

  • full time at 1 job: up to 30 hours/week for 24 months = 2 years full time (3,120 hours)
  • equal amount in part-time work: for example, 15 hours/week for 48 months = 2 years full time (3,120 hours)
    • You can work as many part-time jobs as you need to meet this requirement.
  • full time at more than 1 job: 30 hours/week for 24 months at more than 1 job = 2 years full time (3,120 hours)

If you worked in more than one country

Your work experience only counts if you were qualified to practise that trade where you got your work experience.

If you were qualified in one country but worked in another country with different rules for practising your trade, you must have also met the requirements to practise there independently.

Part-time work experience

For part-time work, you can work more or less than 15 hours/week as long as it adds up to 1,560 hours. You can work more than 1 part-time job to get the hours you need to apply.

We don’t count any hours you work above 30 hours/week.

Student work experience

Work experience gained while you were studying doesn't count towards minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Job offer or certificate of qualification

You must have either:

  • a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year, or
  • a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority

Certificate of qualification

A certificate of qualification (or a qualification certificate) proves you’re qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada. This means you:

  • passed a certification exam
  • meet all the requirements to practise your trade in the province or territory that issued your certificate

This certificate is issued by:

To get a certificate, the provincial, territorial or federal authority must assess your training, trade experience and skills to decide if you’re eligible to write a certification exam.

Get assessed by the province or territory

Each province and territory has its own:

  • certificate of qualification requirements, and
  • certification process

You may:

  • have to go to the province or territory to be assessed for your trade
  • need an employer in Canada to give you experience and training

To learn more about getting assessed, visit the website of the body that governs trades for the province or territory where you want to live and work:

If the province or territory where you plan to live and work doesn’t give certificates of qualification in your trade, you’ll need a valid job offer in your trade to be eligible for this program.

If your trade is federally regulated

If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory, it may be federally regulated (for example, airplane mechanics).

Find out who regulates your trade and how to get assessed through the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.

Language ability

You must:

Education

There is no education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

If you want to improve your rank in the pool

There are 2 ways you can improve your rank in the Express Entry pool:

  1. If you went to school in Canada, you can get points for a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian high school or post-secondary institution.
  2. If you have foreign education, you can get points if you have both of these:

Proof of funds

You must show that you have enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada.

You don't need proof of funds if you:

  • are currently able to legally work in Canada, and
  • have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada

Admissibility

You must be admissible to Canada.

Some people aren’t allowed to come to Canada. There are different reasons we may not let you into Canada, such as security, criminal or medical reasons.

Where you can live in Canada

You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. If you plan on living in Quebec, see Quebec-selected skilled workers for more information.

You can count work experience gained while living in Quebec, as long as you can prove you don’t plan to settle there.

  • You’ll have to include proof and expect officers to check anything you provide.

When you fill out your profile, we’ll ask you where you plan to live in Canada.

If you’re a Provincial Nominee, you must settle in the province or territory that nominated you.

FST Minimum Requirements Checklist

  • ✓Skilled trade work experience: 2 years in last 5 years
  • ✓Trade must be in eligible NOC Major Groups (72, 73, 82, 83, 92, 93, 6320, 62200)
  • ✓Language: CLB 5 for speaking/listening; CLB 4 for reading/writing
  • ✓Job offer: valid full-time offer for at least 1 year OR a Canadian certificate of qualification
  • ✓Plan to live outside Quebec
  • ✓Must be admissible to Canada