Express Entry

Can I have more than one Express Entry profile?

No. You may only have one profile at a time. This is set out in Canada’s immigration law.

Creating more than one profile will not give you a better chance at being invited or allow you to be invited under a different program.

In my online profile or application I am getting validation errors or it tells me that fields are incomplete when they are not. What do I do?

You may want to try using a different Web browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome. You should also check your browser’s language settings and make sure it is set to English or French as special characters can cause errors.

If you are still having a problem, try clearing your browser cache. Your browser’s Help section can tell you how to do this. If the problem continues, you can contact us.

See also One of the forms in my International Experience Canada (IEC) profile is marked “In progress”. How do I fix this?

Do I need an Educational Credential Assessment to apply under Express Entry?

To get points for your education under the Comprehensive Ranking System, you must either:

• have been educated in Canada, or
• have a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes for your completed foreign education.

The online tool said I was eligible for Express Entry, but my completed profile says I’m not. Which one is right?

The online tool asks general questions to see if you may be eligible for one of the programs under Express Entry.

The Express Entry profile asks more specific and detailed questions about your qualifications. It is possible that after you gave more detailed information in your Express Entry profile that you are, in fact, not eligible.

Only a complete Express Entry profile can be used to fully assess if you are eligible.

Can I use my existing Job Bank account to get matched with employers for Express Entry?

No. If you don’t already have a valid job offer, you can create a Job Match account in Job Bank using your Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code. A Job Match account can help you start looking for work.

Once you complete your Express Entry profile, if you are found to meet most of the requirements to enter the pool, you should get a message in your account with this information.

To create an account:

• go to the Job Match sign-in page
• click the “Sign up now!” button
• read the privacy notice and click “I agree”
• follow the instructions to create an account

My personal reference code is not working. What should I do?

If you already started to create an Express Entry profile in your account, the reference code won’t work. To continue your profile:

1. go to the “View the applications you submitted” section at the top of your account page
2. choose the line with your Express Entry profile
3. click the “Continue Profile” button

If you have not started creating your profile, you will have to go through the Come to Canada tool again for a new reference code.

What do I need to create an Express Entry profile?

You can find everything you need to complete an Express Entry profile on our website.

I am a native English or French speaker. Why do I need to take a language test for Express Entry?

Canada assesses everyone using the same standards, no matter their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.

Every candidate must take a standard test by an objective third party. This is to make sure your language skills are assessed in a fair and unbiased way.

Even someone from an English-speaking country, who speaks English as a first language, needs to take a test. Likewise, someone from a French-speaking country, who speaks French as a first language, needs to take a test.

You need to submit third-party language results for all programs under Express Entry. You will have to include the results of your test(s) in your Express Entry profile.

Language tests have been required for our skilled immigration programs for many years. Find out more about language testing.

What kind of language test can I use for Express Entry?

We only accept these tests for Express Entry:

For English

• CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – CELPIP-General
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System – General Training

For French

• TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
• TCF Canada : Test de connaissance du français

Find out more about language testing.

A message in my account says my profile was updated. I didn’t update it today (or don’t see an update). What happened?

It may take up to 24 hours for the system to send a message saying that your profile has been updated.

For example, if you made a change on Monday, you may only receive a message from your account on Tuesday.

I accidently withdrew my Express Entry profile. How can I fix this?

If you withdrew your profile, you will need to create a new one if you want to enter the pool.

You will have to meet the Express Entry requirements in place at that time.

I was found not eligible for Express Entry and I can’t change my profile. What do I do?

If you’ve been found not eligible, you will need to create a new profile. An ineligible profile is no longer valid so you can’t change it, even if you have new information.

You will still have to meet the Express Entry requirements that are in place. So, unless you made a mistake in your first profile or your circumstances have changed (for example, you have new language test results, you now have more work experience, etc.), there is a good chance you will be found ineligible again.

You can review the requirements to see which ones you did not meet. This can help you find what to do to meet the requirements so you can apply again.

How do I update my Express Entry profile before submitting it?

To update your profile, follow these steps:

1. Go to the main page of your account
2. Scroll down to “Continue my profile / application, not yet submitted”
3. Choose the line with your Express Entry Profile
4. Click “Continue Profile” button

Once you’re on the “Express Entry profile” page:

1. Click the “Update form” button for  the “Form Name” you want to update
2. Make the changes you want to the fields
3. Click the “Save and exit” button at the bottom of page to go back to “Express Entry Profile” page.

Some fields in my Express Entry profile are greyed out and I can’t change them. How do I update them?

This is an example of greyed out fields in your Express Entry profile:

In some places, the fields will be coloured gray, and you will not be able to update them. (A red circle with a diagonal line will also appear when you mouse over the field.) This is because the information was brought forward from the first tool (Come to Canada) you completed. To update them, you will have to update them in the previous step. To do this:

1. From the “Express Entry Profile” page:
2. Click on the “Modify Family Information” button at the top of the page:
   
3. Change the fields as needed.
4. Click the “Update Information” button to save any changes:
   

Note: Clicking the “Update Information” button will also bring you to the next section if the change you want to make is not in the first screen.

On the following screens:

You have a few options. You can click:

1. the “Next” button to save your answers and go back to the “Express Entry Profile” page,
2. the “Save and exit questionnaire” button to return to the main page of your account, or
3. the “Modify my Answers” button to see all the eligibility questions.

Click the “pencil” button to access the fields related to that question.

How do I confirm that my Express Entry profile is complete?

To confirm that you profile is complete:

1. Go to the “Express Entry profile” page
2. Click the “Continue form” button for the section with the status “in progress”
3. Verify that all circles to the right have a green check mark in them.

   If one section displays a progress bar instead of a green check mark, open the section and complete the missing information.

4. Click the “save and exit” button to save your changes and return to the “Express Entry profile” page.

I already submitted my Express Entry profile. Can I still update it?

If you weren’t found eligible, you won’t be able to update your profile. You’ll have to create a new profile. Be sure your profile is complete and correct before you submit it.

If your profile was found eligible for the pool, you can still update it after you’ve submitted it. Follow these steps:

1. On the main page of your account, go to the section “View the applications you submitted”.
2. Click on “Check full application status”.
3. On the “Express Entry profile status” page, click on the “View your profile” under the heading “Your Express Entry profile status”.

4. On the “Express Entry profile” page, click on the “Update form” button for the section you want to change.

   

   Note: If the button only says “View form,” your profile wasn’t found eligible. You’ll have to submit a new one.

   
5. Make any changes you need to, and then click the “Save and exit” button at the bottom of the page.
6. Once you finish updating your profile, click on the “Continue” button at the bottom of the page. Follow the instructions provided to submit your updated profile.

Note: The “Revert changes” button will appear each time you enter a form and click on the “Save and exit” button, even if you didn't make any changes.

Where can I find my Express Entry profile number and/or Job Seeker validation code?

You can find these numbers in a message in your account. To find it:

1. Log into your account
2. Go to the heading called "View my submitted applications or profiles"
3. Click on "Check status and messages"
4. Scroll down to the table called “Correspondence”
5. Click on the arrow in front of the message – it will open a drop-down menu with a link
6. Click on the link to open the PDF message

You can find the profile number at the top of the PDF letter (number 1 in the example below). The Job Seeker Validation Code should be under the section “To register with Job Bank” (number 2 in the example).

Example of letter:

Make sure you are looking at the right message. If the text of the message doesn’t match the example above, check other messages in your account to find the right one.

If you did not get a code, there are a few reasons why this may be.

If there is no profile number, you should contact us using the Case Specific Enquiry form.

How do I withdraw my Express Entry profile?

To withdraw your profile:

1. On the main page of your account, go to the section “View the applications you submitted”
2. Click on the orange “Withdraw profile” button
3. Under the heading “What would you like to do today?” below the “Warning!” text, click on the orange “Continue” button.

In an Express Entry profile, should I only include the minimum work experience needed to qualify for one of the programs, or should I include more?

To qualify for the broadest range of programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you should include work experience for the last 10 years. We also need this information for an application for permanent residence, no matter which program you are applying under.

In an Express Entry profile, what do you mean by the “date the applicant first became qualified to practise this occupation?

If you’re listing a skilled trade as your primary occupation

It’s the date when you first became qualified to practise on your own in that trade. For example, the date you moved from apprentice to fully qualified tradesperson.

If you’re being assessed for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, work experience in a trade will only count if you’re qualified to independently practise in the region where you got your work experience.

If you’re listing any other primary occupation

It’s the date when you finished the minimum level of education needed for the occupation according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. If the NOC only states high school, it’s the date you graduated from high school.

How do I fill out my Express Entry profile when I have maintained my status?

“Maintained status” means you can stay in Canada and, if eligible, keep working while we make a decision on your application.

1. If you’re in Canada with maintained status and are still authorized to work at the time you complete your Express Entry profile:
   • Answer “yes” to the question “Does [your name] have a valid work permit for the current job in Canada?”
2. If you’re in Canada with maintained status, you’re still authorized to work, and the original work permit was supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA):
   • Answer “yes” to the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the current work permit?”
   • Where it asks for the LMIA number, enter the number of the expired LMIA.

If (2) is true, for the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada?”

answer “no” if:

• you’re still working for the employer named on the original work permit, and
• you have a job offer from your current employer for at least 1 year

answer “yes” if:

• you’re working for a different employer than the one named on the original work permit
• you have a job offer from your new employer for at least 1 year and
• your new employer has a positive LMIA

How do I get education points for Express Entry if I have 2 or more degrees or diplomas?

To get full points for having more than 1 credential:

• at least 1 of the credentials must be for a program of 3 or more years in length
• you need a valid educational credential assessment (ECA) for each credential

Note: The order that you complete your credentials in does not affect points.

Fill in all fields in the Education history section in your profile. When you’re done, click Save and add. After you do:

• the details you entered about your study period will be saved to the table below the Save and add button
• the fields will go blank and you can add another study period
• make sure to add all study periods you want us to assess for points
  • Each educational credential needs its own row in the Education history table.

If my Express Entry profile expires, will the system keep my information?

No, the system will not keep your information. We had planned to allow the system to save profile information, so it would be easier to complete a new profile when the first one expired. We have found that this option is not possible at this time. Should the option become available in the future, we will update this information online.

If your profile is about to expire, you must complete and submit a new one if you want to stay in the Express Entry pool.

You can save screen shots of your profile to make it easier to re-enter your data.

Do not create a new profile until your existing one expires. If you decide to create and submit a new profile before your existing one expires, you will need to withdraw your existing profile first.

Find more information.

Can I be eligible for more than one program under Express Entry?

Yes. Depending on the information in your profile, you may be eligible for more than one program through Express Entry.

In that case, you will be invited to apply for one program based on this order:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC),
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), then
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

For example:

• If you met the criteria for all three programs, the system would send you an invitation to apply for the CEC.
• If you met the criteria for CEC and FSWP, you would also get an invitation to apply under the CEC.
• If you met the criteria for FSWP and FSTP, you would get an invitation to apply under FSWP.

You can’t choose which program you are invited to apply for. The system will sort profiles based on the information you enter.

If you decline the invitation, the system will not re-invite you under the next program. You will go back in the pool, and if we invite you again, the same order will apply.

Can I be invited to apply if I've lost my username or password?

Yes. If you’re invited to apply, you’ll get an email at the address you provided. The email will say that you have a new message in your account.

To accept or decline your invitation, you need to sign in to your account.

If you’ve forgotten your password or username, follow these instructions.

If you need to create a new account, you’ll need to link your application to your new account. You may need your profile or application number to do this. You can find this number at the end of the subject line of an email we’ve sent you (example: W300027607).

After you change your password or link your application, follow these steps:

1. Go back to the main page in your account.
2. Scroll down to the table under the heading “Continue an application you haven’t submitted.”
3. Find the application called
   • “Work permit” for International Experience Canada, or
   • “Permanent residence” for Express Entry.
4. To accept your invitation to apply, click “Start application.”

If there’s no application, you can check the status and messages for your profile under the heading “View the applications you submitted.”

Do I need a permanent job offer for Express Entry?

No. A valid job offer for Express Entry only needs to be for 1 year or more.

Job offers must still be:

• in the NOC TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3
• from one employer for the FSW or CEC, or up to two employers for the FST
• supported by an LMIA (if you need one) or be for a candidate that is exempt from needing one.

What makes a job offer valid under Express Entry?

Generally, a valid offer is for a job that

• is full-time and non-seasonal
• lasts for at least 1 year
• is in a skilled job listed as TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 in the 2021 National Occupational Classification

A job offer must be in writing, and must set out details of the job they are offering you, such as

• your pay and deductions
• your duties
• the conditions of employment, like your hours of work

In most cases, a valid job offer must be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The employer has to apply for one from Employment and Social Development Canada/Service Canada.

If they get a positive LMIA, they must give you a copy and a written job offer.

In some cases, your employer does not need an LMIA to support your job offer. Find out more about jobs that are exempt.

Under Express Entry, a valid job offer will give you additional points in the Comprehensive Ranking System.

A work permit on its own is not a job offer, even if it is an open work permit.

When you create your Express Entry profile, include the LMIA number to show that you have a valid job offer.

If you get invited to apply, we may ask you for the original document, so keep it in a safe place.

A job offer is not valid if your employer is:

• an embassy, high commission or consulate in Canada, or
• on the list of ineligible employers.

If your employer is not eligible, does not get a positive LMIA, or is not LMIA-exempt you will not meet the requirements of a valid job offer for arranged employment.

Find out more about offers of employment and exemptions.

What do you mean by Primary Occupation?

Your primary occupation means the job you have experience in (within the last ten years) and want to base your immigration application on, if you are invited to apply.

How do I find my National Occupation Classification (NOC) code?

Your National Occupation Classification (NOC) code is the number the job is listed under in Canada’s official job classification system.

Find the NOC code and title for a job

Why didn’t I get points for my job offer in Express Entry?

To get points from the Comprehensive Ranking System for a job offer in Express Entry, your employer will usually need to get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

You should only answer “Yes” to the question “Does [your name] have a job offer in Canada?” if:

• a Canadian employer (or up to two for the Federal Skilled Trades Program) has offered you a full-time, non-seasonal job for one year or more and
• that job offer is supported by an LMIA, OR
• the job is exempt from needing an LMIA.

If you are currently working in Canada but have not been offered a job that is supported by a LMIA (or is exempt from needing one), you should:

• answer “No” and
• create a Job Match account in Job Bank.

Note: From January 1, 2015 to November 19, 2016, jobs offers that didn’t need an LMIA were not considered valid for Express Entry. We now accept certain job offers that don’t need an LMIA.

Find out more about what makes a job offer valid.

I am working in Canada on a valid work permit. Does this count as a job offer?

No, a work permit is not a job offer. A job offer is valid if your current or future employer:

• has made a written offer to give you a full-time, non-seasonal job for one year or more if you are accepted as a permanent resident and
• has a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from Employment and Social Development Canada (or the job is LMIA-exempt)

This is true whether you are working in Canada or not.

There are only two reasons that an employer making you a job offer does not need to get a new LMIA:

• if you are already working for them with a work permit based on that LMIA
• if you work in a job that does not need an LMIA.

Find out more about what makes a job offer valid.

There is no National Occupation Classification (NOC) code on my work permit. What should I put in my Express Entry profile?

If there is no National Occupational Classification (NOC) code on your work permit, you should find and use the NOC code of the job you are currently doing in Canada.

Find the NOC code and title for your job.

If I am waiting for a new work permit and I have job offer points, do I have to remove the job offer from my Express Entry profile?

“Implied status” means you can stay in Canada and keep working while we make a decision on your application.

If you have implied status, and have applied to renew your work permit, you can keep working for the same employer under the same conditions. You are still eligible for job offer points during this time.

If you are invited to apply, your Express Entry profile answers will be carried forward to your online application for permanent residence. It will show that you have a valid work permit supported by an LMIA (if you need one) in a NOC TEER 0 Major Group 00 job. You will not need to change the answers.

You must submit a copy of your LMIA with the application if your work permit was supported by an LMIA.

Note: The points you can get for a job offer has changed. You can now get:

• 200 CRS points for a valid job offer in a NOC TEER 0 Major Group 00 job
• 50 CRS points for a valid job offer in a NOC TEER Category 1, 2 or 3 job, or any TEER 0 job other than Major group 00.

What work experience can I count towards the Federal Skilled Trades Program’s two-year requirement?

In the Federal Skilled Trades program, work experience in a trade can only count if you are qualified to independently practice that trade in the region where you got your work experience.

If you are qualified in one country, you might work in another country that has different rules for practicing your trade. In that case, the work experience from the second country will only count towards the two-year work experience requirement if you also met the requirements to practice there independently.

For example, if you are a plumber from Germany and worked for one year in Poland, you need to prove that you were certified to be a plumber in Germany, and that you were qualified to work in Poland according to Polish regulations at the time for this work experience to count.

Can I count student work experience toward the Express Entry work requirement?

It depends on where you were working and studying.

To be eligible for Express Entry, you must meet the minimum requirements for 1 or more Express Entry programs. This includes the work experience requirement.

Using student work experience for minimum requirements

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Student work experience gained while you were studying in Canada or abroad counts towards the minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program if the work:

• was paid by wages or commissions
• was continuous (no gaps in employment), and
• meets all the other requirements of the Program

This includes co-op terms and apprenticeships.

Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program

Student work experience doesn’t count towards the minimum requirements for the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program.

How student work experience affects your profile ranking

Canadian work experience gained while you were a full-time student doesn’t count towards the score used to rank your profile.

The work experience gained as a full-time student outside Canada counts towards the score used to rank your profile.

I have been working in Canada for the last 6 months but didn’t get points for work experience. Why not?

Under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to be awarded points for skilled work experience, you must have been:

• legally allowed to work in Canada in one or more jobs listed in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification
• working full-time (or an equal amount of part-time) work, meaning 30 hours of work per week, and
• working for at least 1 year in the 10-year period before the day we assign you points.

We do not count work experience if you were:

• studying full-time while you were working,
• self-employed, or
• not legally allowed to work in Canada.

Please note: Work experience does not need to be continuous to get points under the CRS. But, to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must have at least one year of continuous full-time paid work experience, either in Canada or abroad.

If I’ve maintained my status while in the Express Entry pool, will I still get the job offer points?

If you show in your Express Entry profile that you have a valid job offer, you will automatically be awarded additional points towards your Comprehensive Ranking System score.

If your job offer is from your current employer, and you’ve maintained your status and are authorized to work, you must keep working for the employer on your existing permit and under the same conditions in order to keep your job offer points.

What if I am invited to apply for Express Entry while waiting for a new work permit?

If you applied for a new work permit before your old one expired, you are under “implied status” until we make a decision on your application.

Job offer information from your current employer in your Express Entry profile will carry forward to your application if we invite you to apply for permanent residence while under implied status.

If you are not sure you answered correctly:

1. go to the “work history” screen, under the “Intended work in Canada” section
2. scroll down to the section about Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA)
3. if your employer had an LMIA for your work permit, make sure you answered “yes” to the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada?”
4. under “LMIA number,” enter the number from the expired LMIA
5. if your work permit is LMIA-exempt, for the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada?” choose the correct answer from the “No – My work permit is exempt…” options.

To prove that you are under implied status, include a copy of your new LMIA (if this applies) and work permit applications when you apply. When you get to the document checklist, select “add letter of explanation” to upload it into the “Optional documents” section.

As long as you still have implied status at the time you apply, you do not need to wait for your new work permit to be approved.

If we issue you a new work permit before you submit your application, you need to update this information before you submit it.

If we refuse you a new work permit before you submit your application, you may want to decline the invitation to apply, since the information in your profile is no longer up to date. You will be put back in the pool, and should update your profile to show the change in your work status.

You can recalculate your score to see if you still have enough points to be invited to apply.

If losing job offer points brings your score below the minimum score for your round of invitation, we will refuse your application. If we refuse your application, we will not refund your processing fees.

I was invited to apply through Express Entry but my work permit expired. What do I do?

If you didn’t apply for a new work permit before your original one expired, it may cause your score to drop. This could cause you to not be eligible anymore.

If your score has dropped below the minimum cut-off for your round of invitations, you should decline the invitation. If you submit your application anyway, we’ll refuse it.

If we refuse your application, we won’t refund your fees.

If you decline, you’ll be put back in the pool. You should update your Express Entry profile to show the change in your work status.

You may be able to restore your status and get a work permit. If your status is restored and you still have an eligible Express Entry profile, you may be invited to apply for permanent residence again in the future.

I didn’t get a Job Seeker Validation Code in the message you sent to my account. Why not?

If you got an Express Entry profile number but not a Job Seeker Validation Code you should contact us using the Case Specific Enquiry form.

To be eligible for Express Entry, you need to meet the minimum requirements and complete a profile.

Do I need a job offer to get into the Express Entry pool?

No, in most cases you don’t need a job offer.

But, you will need one if you:

• are eligible for either the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
• do not have enough money to support yourself and your family in Canada.

Even if you don’t need one, you may want to try and find a valid job offer. It will give you a much higher point score, and so a better chance of being invited to apply.

How do I register with / create a Job Match account in Job Bank?

Job Bank is a database that can help match you with employers looking for workers with your skills.

If your Express Entry profile is found eligible, you can create a Job Match account. To do so:

• go to the Job Match sign-in page
• click the “Create an account” button
• read the privacy notice and click “I agree”
• follow the instructions to create an account.

I received a letter asking me to pay additional fees for my Express Entry application. How do I pay the additional fees?

On April 30, 2022, the fees increased for all permanent residence applications.

If you received a letter from us asking you to pay additional fees, you should:

1. Calculate the total fee difference you need to pay
   • Add up all the “payable difference(s)” in the table below that apply to your situation
   • For example, the payable difference for you, your spouse and 1 dependent child (including the right of permanent residence fee) would be CAN$85.
2. Go to the Make an additional payment or pay other fees page in the ePayment portal
3. Under Quantity, enter the payable difference amount
   • Each payment generates 1 receipt. You can pay as a single payment or repeat this step to make multiple payments.

What do I do if I have technical problems when applying online?

Here are some solutions that could help you with technical issues.

What is a personal document checklist?

A personal document checklist is a list of forms and documents you need to complete and send in with an application when you apply through your IRCC secure account or send a paper application.

• If you’re applying for a visitor visa, study or work permit, this checklist is based on the answers you gave in the online immigration eligibility questionnaire.
• If you’re applying for permanent residence online, the checklist is based on the answers you gave while completing your application.

Make sure to upload all the supporting documents listed on the checklist that you need to include when you submit an application through your IRCC secure account.

What is a personal reference code?

Your personal reference code is a unique code you get when you use our Come to Canada online eligibility tool. You’ll need to enter this code to

• begin an online application using your IRCC secure account for a visitor visa or a study or work permit, or
• carry your information from Come to Canada over to an Express Entry profile

You can find your personal reference code at the top of your results page after you answer all the questions in the tool.

You should write it down and print a copy of your results and/or checklist. This code is only valid for 60 days from the date you get it.

What do I do if an online application is down?

Scheduled down time

You’ll need to wait a few hours at most. If our online applications and access to online accounts are down for routine system maintenance

• We post a message with details including the day, the start time and the planned duration of the maintenance on pages that lead to online applications and account sign in pages. We also tell you at what time everything should be available again. Messages are usually just above an “Apply” or “Sign in” button.
• You can also follow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Twitter for notifications on when online applications will be unavailable.

Unscheduled down time

If our online applications are down unexpectedly, we’ll post information and updates about it as soon as we can on our Twitter account and our website in the same locations as we post scheduled down time messages. We appreciate your patience as we endeavour to resolve the issue. Once resolved, we’ll announce it on Twitter and remove the messages on our website.

Who can I contact if I have questions about GCKey or Sign-In Partner?

For questions about GCKey, please call 1-855-438-1102. The GCKey help desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information is available on the GCKey website.

For questions about Sign-In Partner (Interac^® sign-in service), find out how to get help.

How do I get a GCKey credential?

To register for a GCKey, go to the sign in page and click the “Continue to GCKey” button.

Then, choose a user name and a password. It’ll ask you to create security questions. Keep a copy of this in a safe place in case you forget.

What do I do if I lost my GCKey username or password?

If you lost your GCKey password, you can create a new one.

• Go to the sign-in page for GCKey.
• Create a new password after you answer the password recovery questions you previously set up while registering for a GCKey.

If you lost your GCKey username, you can recover it.

• Go to the sign-in page for GCKey.
• Click on “Forgot your username?”
• Enter the email associated with your account.
  
  • Your username will be sent to that email.

If you lost your email, you have to create a new GCKey. If you create a new GCKey, you can access an application by linking the application to your new account.

See also: I recently reset my account, but I don’t see my application. How can I get it back?

I recently reset my IRCC secure account, but I don’t see my application. How can I get it back?

If you have just reset your IRCC secure account because you lost your username or password, as a security measure we need to ask you questions about the application you submitted before we give you access to it.

To link an application you have in progress to your IRCC secure account, sign in to your account and click on “Link application to this account” under the heading “What would you like to do today?”

You will have to tell us specific information about the application you would like to access. Have a copy of your application form on hand as you will have to enter the information exactly as you did on your application form.

How do I upload more supporting documents after I have already submitted my online application for permanent residence through Express Entry?

Once you submit your online application for permanent residence, you can’t send more documents through your account unless we ask for them.

If we ask for a document, you’ll get a message in your account.

To upload a document:

1. Sign in to your account.
2. Under “View the applications you submitted” click on “Check full application status.”
3. Under “Details about your application status” click on “View submitted application.”
4. On this page, you can upload the additional document the same way you uploaded the others when you first applied.

If you need to send documents that we didn’t ask for (for example, an updated Travel History form), go to our Web form and follow the instructions.

Who is a federal skilled worker?

Skilled workers are chosen as permanent residents based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other factors. These things often help them succeed in Canada.

Since January 1, 2015, completing an Express Entry profile is the first step in immigrating to Canada permanently as a skilled worker under the:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program,
• Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
• Canadian Experience Class.

Under the Express Entry system, we will invite people to apply for permanent residence based on the information they enter in an online profile. You cannot apply directly to any of these programs unless we send you an invitation to apply.

Skilled workers who want to live in Quebec apply under a separate category. The province of Quebec selects its own skilled workers. Applicants who intend to go to Quebec are known as “Quebec-selected” skilled workers.

What is arranged employment under the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

Under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), arranged employment means you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Having a valid job offer affects

• your eligibility under the FSWP
• your points toward your total score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) later on

Arranged employment is worth 15 points toward your score under the FSWP selection factors. (This score is how we decide if you’re eligible for the FSWP.)

To immigrate to Canada as a FSWP candidate, you must complete an Express Entry profile and be invited to apply.

Under Express Entry, if you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you can earn 50 or 200 points in the CRS, depending on the type of job you’ve been offered. It will give you a better chance of being invited to apply in the next round of invitations.

For both eligibility for the FSWP and points toward your total score in the CRS, a job offer must

• be in writing
• set out the details of the job a Canadian employer is offering you, such as
  • your pay and deductions
  • your duties
  • the conditions of employment, like your hours of work

A work permit on its own is not a job offer, even if it is an open work permit.

What are the minimum requirements to apply as a federal skilled worker?

The minimum requirements for federal skilled workers are:

Skilled work experience
You must have at least one year, in the last ten years before you submit your electronic application for permanent residence, of continuous full-time work experience (or the equivalent in continuous part-time work) in a skilled occupation listed in TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the 2021 version of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Language ability
You must show that you meet or exceed the language threshold of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 with test results from a IRCC-designated language testing organization.

Education
You must provide either a Canadian educational credential or a foreign educational credential with an Educational Credential Assessment report for immigration purposes from a designated organization to prove that your overseas diploma, degree, or certificate is equivalent to a completed Canadian educational credential. (Points will be awarded based on the completed Canadian educational credential or the value of the foreign educational credential in Canadian standards.)

If you meet all the minimum requirements, we will assess your application based on the selection factors in the federal skilled worker points grid.

How do I find my Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level with my test results?

You can find the CLB level of your language test results for CELPIP, IELTS or TEF, with our language test equivalency charts.

The CLB level is what you will use on your permanent residence application.

If I do not meet the language threshold in one of the four skill areas, can I still submit an Express Entry profile?

To be selected as a federal skilled worker, you need a minimum skill level of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in each of the four abilities (speaking, listening, reading, and writing). You must meet the threshold in all four abilities or your Express Entry profile will not be considered under the Federal Skilled Worker program.

In the case that you have a proven medical disability preventing you from being able to obtain a score in one or more of the four skill areas, you are required to include the average score based on your assessed abilities. Use the Comprehensive Ranking System – Language tool to find out on how to do this.

What is the pass mark for the federal skilled worker selection grid?

We use selection factor points to help assess your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. If you’re interested in the program, you’ll need to meet, at minimum, the pass mark of 67 points out of 100 on the Federal Skilled Worker grid.

Completing an Express Entry profile is the first step to immigrating to Canada permanently as a federal skilled worker. You’ll need to meet the minimum criteria to be accepted into the pool.

If you’re accepted into the Express Entry pool, you’re not guaranteed to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence. This invitation will be based on your score and rank in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System.

Can I be chosen to apply for permanent residence as a federal skilled worker if I am 47 years old or over?

If you meet the criteria to get into the Express Entry pool: Yes. If you are 47 or over, you will not get any points under the Age factor of the Comprehensive Ranking System, but you may get points for other factors such as a job offer, your skills, your language abilities, etc. You may still be invited to apply based on your CRS score and your rank in the pool.

If you receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system under the FSW program: Yes. If you are over 47, you will not get any points under the Age factor of the FSW selection grid, but you can still apply.  The applicant's age is worth 12 percent of the overall selection criteria on the FSW selection grid.

The employer I work for temporarily in Canada wants to offer me a full-time job. Will I need a new LMIA for Express Entry?

In most cases, your current employer does not need to re-apply if they already got a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire you.

For example, they do not need to re-apply if:

• your work permit is still valid
• you still work for the same employer (in a skilled job) as listed on your work permit
• you work in a job listed as TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 in the 2021 National Occupational Classification, and
• that employer already got an LMIA to hire you before.

If you are working in Canada on a work permit that does not need an LMIA, your employer doesn’t need to get one to make your job offer valid.

When you create your Express Entry profile, you can show that you have a job offer. If we invite you to apply, you will need to submit a copy of the documents with your application.

But, if you plan to work for a different employer and want job offer points (or a valid job offer for the Federal Skilled Worker or the Federal Skilled Trades programs), your new employer will usually need to apply for a new LMIA (unless the job is exempt).

You must complete an Express Entry profile as the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker.

I work in Canada on an LMIA-exempt work permit. How do I get job offer points for Express Entry?

It depends on why your permit is exempt from a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

Under Express Entry, some LMIA-exempt jobs count towards job offer points. For example, if you are working in Canada on a LMIA-exempt work permit that was issued under an international agreement or Federal-Provincial-Territorial agreement (or certain other cases), you don’t need your current employer to get an LMIA for your job offer to be valid.

If your work permit is LMIA-exempt for any other reason, your employer still needs to get an LMIA to improve your chances of being invited to apply. These exemptions apply to temporary workers, but not to Express Entry. A valid job offer supported by an LMIA could get you more points under the Comprehensive Ranking System.

A work permit on its own is not a job offer, even if it is an open work permit. You need a written offer. Find out more about valid job offers.

Find out more about which types of jobs don’t need an LMIA.

I am working in Canada on a post-graduation work permit. Do I need a Labour Market Impact Assessment?

Not necessarily.

If you are working in Canada on a post-graduation work permit, and have a valid job offer, your current employer will need to get an LMIA if:

• you need one to meet the program requirements for the FSWP or the FSTP and
• your job is not exempt.

If a job is exempt, it means your employer does not need an LMIA to support your job offer.

If you are invited under the Canadian Experience Class, you don’t need an LMIA to meet the program requirements.

But, a valid job offer supported by an LMIA can get you more points under the Comprehensive Ranking System. This can improve your chances of being invited to apply. So in that case, your employer may want to get an LMIA, even though you don’t need it to be eligible.

You must complete an Express Entry profile as the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker.

How can I get the most possible points for the Adaptability factor under the Federal Skilled Worker program?

The maximum amount of points for the adaptability factor is 10.

You can get them by adding up the points from up to two criteria. Even if more than two of these apply to you and your spouse, you can only get 10 points in total.

Find out more about how to get points for adaptability.

Can I count my work as a teaching assistant toward the work experience requirement?

You may be able to count experience as a post-secondary teaching and research assistant (review code 41201 of the National Occupation Classification) toward the work experience requirement. This depends on the eligibility requirements for the Express Entry program you’re applying to.

If after submitting your Express Entry profile you are invited to apply, you must show that you did the job as described in the occupational description of the NOC, meaning that you did all the essential duties and most of the main duties listed. If you do not show that your experience meets the description in NOC, your application will be refused.

To be considered under the Canadian Experience Class:

You cannot count work experience you gained while enrolled as a full-time student. Your work experience must have been gained while on a valid work permit, such as the Post-Graduation Work Permit.

You must have gained the equivalent amount of experience as someone who worked full-time for at least one year (1,560 hours) in the three years before you submit your Express Entry profile.

To be considered under the Federal Skilled Worker Program:

Your work experience must have been full-time (or the equivalent in part-time hours), worked continuously and paid, for at least one year in the same occupation.

Can I re-use my Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to submit my Express Entry profile?

Yes, provided that it is still valid and that it’s an ECA for immigration purposes.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept ECA reports for five years from the date they are issued.

When creating your Express Entry profile, in your educational history you will be asked to include certain details from your ECA report. Keep your ECA report in a safe and accessible place as you may be requested to submit it if you are invited to apply.

What are the language requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program?

You must prove your language skills by taking a third-party language test from an agency designated by us.

When creating your Express Entry profile, you must fill in all the information related to the language test you have taken in English and/or French for your first and second official language.

You also need to make sure that you meet the minimum language threshold in order to be eligible for the program.

Your language test results must be valid (written in the last two years) when you submit your application for permanent residence. If they expire, you should retake the test and provide us with valid results. Otherwise, your application will be rejected as incomplete or may be refused.

Are any Federal Skilled Worker immigration applicants exempt from the mandatory language test?

No, there are no exceptions to this rule. Each of the programs under Express Entry requires the submission of third-party language results. You will include the results of your test(s) in your Express Entry profile. Canada wants to assess all applicants against the same standards, no matter their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.

Even someone from an English-speaking country, who speaks English as a first language, would need to take the test. Similarly, someone from a French-speaking country, who speaks French as a first language, needs to take a test.

How does a third-party language test help me with my immigration process?

First, you will know ahead of time whether or not your language abilities qualify to immigrate to Canada under one of these programs.

Second, you will get an objective, realistic assessment of your language ability. The test will also reveal areas where you could improve.

A third-party language test is the most efficient way to have your language skills assessed. This helps us to process applications more quickly.

Also, many regulatory bodies and industries will need you to have language testing. Taking the test gets you one step closer toward getting a job in Canada.

Where can I take a third-party language test for my immigration application?

Inside Canada:

• The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General test) can be taken through Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.
• The International English Language Testing System (General test) can be taken through Cambridge Assessment English, IDP Australia and The British Council
• The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) can be taken through The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• The Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada) (in French only) can be taken through France Education International (FEI).

Outside Canada:

• The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (General test) can be taken through Paragon Testing Enterprises Inc.
• The International English Language Testing System (General test) can be taken through Cambridge Assessment English, IDP Australia and The British Council.
• The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) can be taken through The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
• The Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada) (in French only) can be taken through le France Education International (FEI).

Check the website of each approved language testing agency for test locations and dates.

How can I immigrate to the province of Quebec as a skilled worker?

If you want to immigrate to the province of Quebec as a skilled worker, follow the steps below.

Under Canadian law, Quebec can select its own immigrants to settle in the province. However, these people must still meet our requirements to be admitted to Canada. See reasons for inadmissibility.

Step 1

Contact the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec and apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ).

Step 2

If Quebec approves your CSQ application, mail a permanent residence application to the Centralized Intake Office (CIO) in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. An IRCC officer will approve or refuse your application, based on the information you provide.

Do I need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to apply as a federal skilled worker?

If you were educated outside Canada, you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes to immigrate as a federal skilled worker.

If you were educated in Canada, you don’t need an ECA.

Where can I get an educational credential assessment (ECA)?

You must get an ECA from a designated organization. We only accept assessments from these organizations.

When they assess your education, they will give you a report that tells you what your education is equal to in Canada.

We only accept assessments issued on or after the date the organizations were designated to do ECA reports for immigration purposes. If you got a report before that date, contact the organization to see if they’ll re-issue it.

Find out which designated organization should do your ECA.

Does an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) mean that I can be licensed in a regulated profession?

No. Getting an ECA to meet the requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program does not mean that your work experience and professional credentials are automatically recognized in Canada. You must still go through the process of getting your license.

Each province or territory in Canada has the power to regulate and license professions. Licensing is generally done through provincial or territorial regulatory bodies.

If you plan to work in a regulated profession, you should contact the regulatory authority in the province where you plan to work to find out more about how to get a license.

How much does an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) cost, and how long does it take to get one?

To apply for immigration to Canada, you need to get an ECA for immigration purposes from a designated organization. Each designated organization sets its own cost for an ECA.

For most people, the cost is about CAN$200 plus the cost to have it delivered. Delivery costs depend on how you choose it to be sent, with courier delivery being the most expensive.

The fees for an ECA report and the length of time to get one vary and can change without notice.

If you’re a family or specialist physician, or a pharmacist, the cost will be higher. You will need to contact the professional body that regulates your occupation to find out how much it will cost.

The time to get your education assessed is different for each designated organization or professional body. It can take from a few weeks to a few months.

How long is an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report valid for?

We will accept ECA reports for five years from the date they are issued, so long as they were issued on or after April 17, 2013.

If you got an ECA report before that date, you should contact the organization to see if they will re-issue it.

What credential should I get assessed for immigration purposes?

Usually, you should choose the highest level degree, diploma or certificate (or combination) that will award you the most points.

For example, you would get more points for an ECA report that shows you have a Canadian equivalent of a master’s degree than for one that shows you have the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree.

But, if you have more than one degree or diploma (if the highest is at least at a bachelor’s level), you will get more points than a single bachelor’s degree.

For example, you hold

• a Bachelor’s degree and a diploma or certificate or
• two Bachelor’s degrees

In this case, you need to get an ECA for each credential to get the maximum points.

Find out more about getting your education assessed.

Am I eligible to apply as a permanent resident under the Canadian Experience Class?

To be eligible, you must

• have at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the 3 years before you apply
• meet or exceed the required language levels needed for the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level of your work experience in each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening)

Skilled work experience means work experience gained in Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities categories 0, 1, 2 or 3.

To find out if your work experience qualifies, search for it in the list of jobs classified under the NOC.

There are also other requirements you must meet.

How do I apply to immigrate if I have work experience in Canada?

First you must fill out an Express Entry profile online to find out if you meet the minimum criteria for the Express Entry pool.

If we invite you to apply

• complete your online application in 60 days
• submit all the required documents
• pay your fees

You must also:

• pass a medical exam and
• pass criminal and security checks

Find out more about how to apply.

Who cannot apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class?

The Canadian Experience Class is for people who already have skilled work experience in Canada.

You are not eligible for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class if you gained your work experience:

• without the proper authorization (for example, illegally, working without a visa),
• in a job not classified as TEER Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the National Occupational Classification,
• while you were self-employed, or
• while on a student work permit (co-op, off-campus, or on-campus).

You also must not:

• have less than one year of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) skilled work experience in Canada, or
• plan to live in Quebec.

Can I complete an Express Entry profile before I have a year of work experience?

No, you should not complete an Express Entry profile in this case. If you do not have a full year of experience, the system will not find you eligible.

To meet the minimum criteria for the Express Entry pool, you must be eligible for at least one of the programs under Express Entry.

If I worked or studied in Canada illegally, can I use that experience in my Canadian Experience Class application?

No. Any experience you list in your application under the Canadian Experience Class must be legal to be valid. You cannot have worked or studied without authorization. If you have ever done so, your application will be refused.

Do I need a medical exam to apply for permanent residence, if I’ve already had one for my permit?

Yes. Even if you had a medical exam previously, all applicants for permanent residence must have a medical exam.

A medical exam is needed to make sure that:

• you pose no health risk to the Canadian public and
• neither you nor a family member will place too much demand on Canada’s health, education and social systems.

Can I apply under the Canadian Experience Class if I am currently living in Quebec and I plan to live elsewhere in Canada?

Yes. You can apply and count your work experience in Quebec.

If you plan to live in Quebec, you must apply to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Diversité et de l’Inclusion du Québec. Quebec selects its own immigrants.

Can I renew my post-graduation work permit?

No. Post-graduation work permits (PGWP) are a one-time opportunity for international students. Those students must have graduated from a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution.

If you had to renew your passport

You can extend your PGWP with your new passport only if

• you were eligible for a PGWP but
• you didn’t get the full length because your passport was going to expire

Include this information in a letter of explanation when you apply to extend your PGWP.

If you’re an Express Entry applicant

You may be able to apply for a bridging open work permit if

• you’re waiting for a decision on a permanent residence application under Express Entry
• your current work permit expires in 4 months or less
• you have valid status on your work permit
• you’re currently in Canada

Do skilled temporary foreign workers need a certain education level to apply for permanent residence?

No. You don’t need a certain level of education to apply to stay permanently in Canada. But, you can get Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points if you have high school education or higher.

To get points for education outside Canada, you must have an Education Credential Assessment.

You can now also earn additional CRS points for study in Canada above high school:

• 15 points for a one- or two-year diploma or certificate
• 30 points for a degree, diploma or certificate of three years or longer, or a Master’s, professional or doctoral degree of at least one year.

Completing an Express Entry profile is the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker. In it, you can give details about your education.

Can I still be eligible for Canadian Experience Class if I have returned to my country?

Yes, you can be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class so long as you meet the requirements under the class. This includes having gained at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount of part-time) work experience in Canada

• in the 3 years before you’re invited to apply
• in a job listed as Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification

What are the language requirements I need to meet in order to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class?

The Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) is the Canadian standard used to describe, measure and recognize language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants who plan to live and work in Canada. To apply under the Canadian Experience Class you will need to take a language test that is approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and demonstrate that you meet the language requirements for your occupation. Your test results need to be included with your application.

If your work experience is in National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER Category 0 or 1 occupations, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 7 in each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening). If your work experience is in NOC TEER Category 2 or 3, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 in each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening). If you do not meet the minimum language skills needed for your NOC category, your application will not be processed.

I graduated a while ago, then earned one-year of work experience and now I am back in school. Can I apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class?

Yes, as long as you gained skilled work experience of at least one year in an occupation listed under the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) as TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Your work experience must have been gained in Canada within the three years before we receive your Canadian Experience Class application. Work experience gained while studying full time on a student permit (for example, experience gained while on co-op) does not count.

I am currently studying in Canada. Can I immigrate permanently?

You may be able to apply to immigrate permanently after you graduate. To do so, you need one year of skilled work experience in Canada.

The year of skilled work experience must be in a job that is listed in the 2021 National Occupation Classification as TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3.

To qualify, you must also meet our language standards (depending on your job).

One way to get this work experience is through a post-graduation work permit. You can get one if you graduate from certain Canadian post-secondary schools. To qualify, the school must take part in our Post-Graduation Work Permit Program.

Students can now also earn additional Comprehensive Ranking Score points for study in Canada above high school:

• 15 points for a one- or two-year diploma or certificate
• 30 points for a degree, diploma or certificate of three years or longer, or a Master’s, professional or doctoral degree of at least one year.

You must complete an Express Entry profile as the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker.

I am from an English-speaking country. Do I still need to provide proof of language ability to apply under the Canadian Experience Class?

Yes. All applicants must provide proof of language ability in one of Canada’s two official languages. You must give us official test results designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. See more information on language testing.

I have a PhD and am in a post-doctoral program. Do I qualify for the Canadian Experience Class?

Work experience gained while you were on a study permit will not count toward meeting the Canadian Experience Class requirements.

But you may still be eligible if you

• already gained 1 year of skilled Canadian work experience while you were not on a study permit
• meet the language requirements for that occupation

What kind of work experience do I need to apply for permanent residence under the Canadian experience class?

To apply for permanent residence under the Canadian experience class (CEC), your skilled work experience must

• be in a job classified as TEER category 0,1, 2 or 3 according to the 2021 National Occupational Classification
• amount to at least 1 year of full-time (or an equal amount in part-time) work in the previous 3 years
• be with an employer in Canada (self-employment does not count)
• be gained with the proper legal authorization (for example, as a documented worker with a valid work permit) and
• not be gained while you’re studying under a study permit

You’re not eligible for the CEC if

• you’re a refugee claimant in Canada
• you’re working without authorization (that is, you don’t have a valid work permit)
• you gained your work experience before you got temporary resident status in Canada

Can I count both high-skilled and low-skilled experience toward the work experience required to apply under the Canadian Experience Class?

No. You can only count work experience in one or more of these 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories:

• TEER 0,
• TEER 1,
• TEER 2, or
• TEER 3

You cannot count work experience in these National Occupational Classification (NOC) categories:

• TEER 4, or
• TEER 5

National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER 4 and 5 occupations include semi- and low-skilled workers in the trades, primary and manufacturing industries, sales and services, as well as certain clerical and assistant categories.

Can I count experience I got in Canada while waiting for a decision on my refugee application?

No. Under the Canadian Experience Class, you must have had temporary resident status and the proper work or study authorization when you gained the Canadian work experience or educational credential you are claiming.

Refugee claimants who have authorization to work or study while waiting for a decision on their claim do not have temporary resident status and cannot apply under this category.

Can I count part-time work toward the work experience requirement?

You can count part-time work toward the work experience requirement, as long as you were not a full-time student at the time.

However, you must have gained the equivalent amount of experience as someone who worked full-time for at least one year (1560 hours)

While working under a post-graduate work permit to get experience to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, can I switch employers?

Yes. The post-graduation work permit is an “open” work permit, meaning that you can work for any Canadian employer unless there are restrictions listed on the work permit.  Keep in mind that skilled work experience is needed to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class. Skilled work experience means working in an occupation that is listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) at TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.

More information on 2021 NOC codes is available on Employment and Social Development Canada’s website.

How much work experience do I need to be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class?

To be eligible for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class you must have completed, within the three years before you apply, at least:

• 12 months of full-time work:
  • 30 hours/week for 12 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours), OR
• equal amount in part-time hours, such as:
  • 15 hours/week for 24 months = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)
  • 30 hours/week for 12 months at more than 1 job = 1 year full time (1,560 hours)

You must also complete an Express Entry profile.

Does the one year of work experience to qualify under the Canadian Experience Class include non-paid employment? Is there a minimum wage requirement for qualifying employment?

Non-paid employment does not qualify under the Canadian Experience Class. You must have been paid a wage (or earned a commission) but there is no minimum wage requirement for your qualifying work experience.

Full-time work experience means working at least 30 paid hours per week. To qualify, you must have skilled work experience, meaning work in occupations listed at TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.

See jobs and their National Occupational Classification descriptions.

Are any Federal Skilled Worker immigration applicants exempt from the mandatory language test?

No, there are no exceptions to this rule. Each of the programs under Express Entry requires the submission of third-party language results. You will include the results of your test(s) in your Express Entry profile. Canada wants to assess all applicants against the same standards, no matter their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.

Even someone from an English-speaking country, who speaks English as a first language, would need to take the test. Similarly, someone from a French-speaking country, who speaks French as a first language, needs to take a test.

What are the language requirements for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

You need to make sure that you meet the minimum language threshold in order to be eligible for the program.

You must meet the minimum level of

• CLB 5 (English) or NCLC 5 (French) for speaking and listening, and
• CLB 4 (English) or NCLC 4 (French) for reading and writing.

You must prove your language skills by taking a third-party language test from an agency approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

When creating your Express Entry profile, you must fill in all the information related to the language test you have taken for your first and, if applicable, second official languages.

If you are invited to apply, your test results must not be more than two years old on the day you submit your application for permanent residence.

This rule applies to all applicants who want to be considered under the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

What language test do I need for Express Entry?

Before you complete an Express Entry profile, you need to take a language test. This will show that your language skills meet minimum requirements in each of these four categories:

• listening,
• speaking,
• reading and
• writing.

You will then need to include the test results when you complete your Express Entry profile.

You will need to take a language test to meet the eligibility criteria of these programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Canadian Experience Class
• Federal Skilled Trades Program

The language standard you need to meet depends on the program you apply for.

We do not provide language testing. You will need to be tested by a “third-party” agency that we have approved.

You need to arrange to take a language test from any of the approved agencies. You will have to pay the cost to write the test.

What is a certificate of qualification for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

It proves that a person is qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada. This means that they:

• have passed a certification exam, and
• meet all the requirements to practice their trade in that province or territory.

This certificate is issued by the body that governs trades in a Canadian province or territory or by a federal authority.

Depending on which body or authority issues it, this certificate may be called a “certificate of qualification” or a “qualification certificate”. Find out how to get a certificate.

You must complete an Express Entry profile as the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker.

How can I get a certificate of qualification from a provincial, territorial or federal body for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

In Canada, provinces and territories

• are in charge of education and training, including skilled trades apprenticeships
• usually decide on the standards and conditions used to assess and recognize foreign credentials for certain trades

The regulatory body that governs trades in a province or territory

• must assess your training, trade experience and skills
• decides if you are eligible to write an exam to be certified

To get a certificate of qualification, you

• will likely have to physically go to the specific province or territory to write the certification exam
• may need an employer in Canada to give you training and work experience before you are allowed to write the exam

If your trade is not regulated by a province or territory (for example, airplane mechanic), it may be federally regulated. The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials provides information on credential assessment for all regulated trades in Canada.

Contact the provincial, territorial or federal regulatory body for more information.

How can I qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program if the province or territory where I plan to live and work does not give Certificates of Qualification in my trade?

In that case, to qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program you must have a qualifying job offer in your trade from a Canadian employer.

What is a qualifying job offer for the Federal Skilled Trades Program?

This means an offer of continuous, full-time employment from up to two Canadian employers, for at least 30 hours a week. The job offer must be for a period of at least one year.

You must have a job offer if you do not have a certificate of qualification in your skilled trade issued by a Canadian province or territory.

Under Express Entry, most job offers need a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA).

The LMIA verifies that Canadian labour market has a need for this type of worker, and that your employer(s) have tried to hire a Canadian or permanent resident first.

In some cases, your employer does not need an LMIA to support your job offer. Find out more about jobs that are exempt.

You must complete an Express Entry profile as the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker.

If I come to Canada under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, will I be qualified to work in any province or territory?

Not necessarily. Standards and conditions of training for specific trades vary depending on the province or territory. (for example, ways to register apprentices, training curriculum, how to get accredited/certified/licensed)

It is up to you and your employer to make sure you have the documents needed to practice in the province or territory where you will work.

When we assess your application, we may check that you meet the requirements to be certified, licensed or registered to work in a regulated occupation in Canada.

If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer but do not meet the requirements, we must be satisfied that you are capable of doing the job you were offered and that you are likely to qualify to be licensed or certified when in Canada.

Note: Even if you get certified in one province or territory, you may not be able to practise in another. After you immigrate, if you want to work in a different province or territory, check the requirements of the regulatory body that governs trades for that province or territory.

How do I get points for a provincial nomination under Express Entry?

To be awarded 600 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System for having a Provincial Nominee Program nomination, you must

• have a provincial or territorial nomination certificate issued after January 1, 2015
• accept the nomination the province or territory sent you electronically in your IRCC secure account
• make sure your certificate is valid (it isn’t expired) when you submit your application for permanent residence

I have a nomination certificate from a province or territory. How do I apply through Express Entry?

The requirements for provincial nominees who apply through Express Entry are different from the non-Express Entry process of the Provincial Nominees Program. Find out how to apply through Express Entry as a provincial nominee.

Why are the requirements for provincial nominees different under Express Entry?

To qualify for Express Entry, candidates need to meet the requirements of 1 of the 3 federal programs it covers. This also applies to provincial nominees when going through Express Entry.

If you already have a nomination from a province or territory, find out how to apply through Express Entry as a provincial nominee.

If you started the nomination process before January 1, 2015, you should contact the province or territory to find out what to do next.

What changes have recently been made to Express Entry?

Changes as of November 16, 2022

On November 16, 2022, we switched to the 2021 version of the National Occupational Classification (NOC). This means that

• the NOC 2016 skill type and skill level structure (NOC 0, A, B, C and D) was replaced with a 6 category system representing the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) needed to work in an occupation
• 4-digit occupation codes became 5-digit codes
• Eligiblity criteria was updated for all programs that use the NOC.

Find out more about NOC 2021.

When I try to submit my Express Entry profile or my application, I get an error. What can I do?

We changed some questions in the education history section in both the online profile and application for Express Entry. Because of this, some people are getting errors when they try to move on to the next step.

To fix it:

1. In your profile, go to the Study and languages section of the form. Open the Education history sub-section. Scroll to the bottom and click Modify.

   

2. You will see the information you already entered. To make sure you filled all the fields, click Check for Completeness at the top of the form.

   

3. If there is a field you need to correct, you will see a red error message at the top. The question text will also be in red. Fill in the field(s) and click Save and exit.

   

   Questions you need to answer are in red

   
4. Repeat these steps for each entry in the section.

If you have been invited to apply, you also need to validate the Personal activities section:

1. Go to the Personal history section of the web form.
2. Open the Personal activities sub-section and scroll down to the grid of saved entries.
3. Click Modify and repeat the steps above for each entry.

Can I ask to only be considered for one of the programs under Express Entry?

No. Under Express Entry, the system will find which programs you qualify for based on the answers you give in your profile. If you qualify for more than one program, we will decide which one to issue the invitation to apply under.

You can choose to decline an invitation to apply if it is not under the program you were interested in. But, if you do this, there is no guarantee that you will be invited again under a different program.

What happens if a country has special procedures for getting police certificates?

We are aware that for some countries there are special procedures in place to get police certificates.

You can find country-specific information about police certificates on our website.

Do I need to include proof of funds for Express Entry?

You will be asked to enter in your Express Entry profile the amount of money you will have to help you settle in Canada. This is to show that you can support yourself and any family who come with you to Canada, and helps us assess which programs you may be eligible for.

You will only need to meet the settlement fund requirement if it applies to the program you are invited to apply under.

If you are invited to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program, you will need to show that you meet the settlement funds requirement unless you:

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

For proof, you must get official letters from any banks or financial institutions where you are keeping money.

Letter(s) must list:

• all current bank and investment accounts
• outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans

Note: You do not have to meet the funds requirement if you were invited to apply under the Canadian Experience Class.

The system currently asks all applicants to provide a proof of funds document. If you don’t need to provide proof of funds, you must upload a letter explaining either that you have been invited to apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or that you have a valid job offer.

Find out more about settlement funds and proof.

I am in the Express Entry pool. How do I find out what programs I am eligible for?

Find out which programs you’re eligible for by using these steps:

1. Sign in to your account.
2. Go to the section “View the applications you submitted.”
3. Click on “Check full application status.”
4. Scroll down to the section called “What am I eligible for?”
5. The programs are listed in the table. Beside each one, under Details, it will say “met’ or “not met.”
6. If it says “met,” that means you’re eligible for that program.

You may be eligible for more than one program. Find out more about eligibility.

I’m in the Express Entry pool. How can I look for a job in Canada?

To start your job search, you can

• create a Job Match account with Canada’s Job Bank
• promote yourself to employers in Canada using private sector job boards

You can use both while you are in the Express Entry pool. Once you come to Canada, you can keep using these services if you still need to find a job.

Job Bank

A Job Match account with Job Bank is an easy, online tool to help match you with employers looking for workers with your skills. To do so:

• go to the Job Match sign-in page
• click the “Sign up now!” button
• read the privacy notice and click “I agree” if you agree
• follow the instructions to create an account

You will need your Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code to create a Job Match account.

Job boards

Private-sector job boards are online services that advertise jobs and give you tools for finding work. Some are free and others cost a small fee. Research to find one that suits you.