Express Entry Canada (Part 2): The Federal Skilled Worker Program

This article is the second in a five-part series which deep dives into the Express Entry Program for skilled workers looking to immigrate to Canada. It will cover everything you need to know about the admission requirements and how to qualify for each of the programs discussed in our first article.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements can be tricky for people looking to immigrate to Canada. It’s important to note that all applications of the EE program for Federal Skilled Workers are sent to the Ministry of  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. There are some minimum requirements that need to be met in order to qualify for the program.They are:

Age

There is a certain number of points allotted based on your age. Candidates can earn more points in this category if they’re between the ages of 20-29.

Language Ability in either English or French

A minimum score on one of the four proficiency tests is required by Immigration Canada. To see the list of tests accepted by Immigration Canada and book your exam, head over here.

Education

If you were educated in Canada, you will need to show proof of your certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution. Any degrees or accreditation obtained outside Canada will need to be assessed through what’s called an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).  To find out more and select an organization on the designated list by Immigration Canada, head over to their website here.

Skilled Work Experience

In order to qualify under this program, candidates need to prove that they’ve acquired work experience in a managerial, professional or technical job. At least 1 year of continuous work or 1,560 hours in total is required at either a full-time or part-time job.

Proof of Funds

For applicants and candidates outside of Canada, you need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself (at least $12,669 CAD) and your family. For candidates that are authorized to work in Canada, there is no proof of funds required. Read our full guide on the Express Entry proof of funds here.

Admissibility

Candidates must meet the additional admissibility requirements as per Canada’s immigration law, such as a clean criminal background, health check and more. For more details on admissibility in Canada, visit the government website here.

If you meet these minimum requirements, then congratulations! You may qualify for Express Entry under the Federal Skilled Workers Program! Our next article will cover how admissibility is graded under the Canada Express Entry Points system.

And if you want to see if you’re a good fit for our free immigration platform, head over here!