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Compare all Express Entry programs

Express Entry is an online system that we use to manage applications for permanent residence for 3 programs:

Compare the key differences between the programs or choose a specific program to get more details about eligibility.

Before you compare programs, here are 2 terms you need to know:

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)

The CLB is the Canadian standard used to describe, measure and recognize English language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants who plan to live and work in Canada, or apply for citizenship.

The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens is used to assess abilities in the French language.

There are 4 language ability tests:

  • writing
  • reading
  • listening
  • speaking
National Occupation Classification (NOC) code

The NOC is a list of all the occupations in the Canadian labor market. It describes each job according to the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) needed to work in an occupation

Eligibility criteria for Express Entry

Eligibility criteria Canadian Experience Class Federal Skilled Worker Program Federal Skilled Trades Program
Language skills

English or French skills

  • CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations
  • CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations

English or French skills

  • CLB 7

English or French skills

  • CLB 5 for speaking and listening
  • CLB 4 for reading and writing
Type/Level of work experience

Canadian work experience in an occupation listed in 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories:

  • TEER 0
  • TEER 1
  • TEER 2
  • TEER 3

Work experience in an occupation listed in 1 of these NOC TEER Categories:

  • TEER 0
  • TEER 1
  • TEER 2
  • TEER 3

Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2 or TEER 3:

  • Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers, excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers
  • Major Group 73, general trades
  • Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production
  • Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production
  • Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers
  • Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors
  • Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers
  • Unit Group 62200, chefs
Amount of work experience One year in Canada in the last 3 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work) One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation) Two years within last 5 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work)
Job offer Not required.

Not required.

But you can get selection criteria (FSW) points for having a valid job offer.

Required:
Education Not required.

Secondary education required.

You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education.

 Not required.

Certificate of qualification

A certificate of qualification proves that a person is qualified to work in a certain skilled trade in Canada. This means that they:

  • have passed a certification exam
  • 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.

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