Skilled Trade Stream in Canada
06+
BAND IN IELTSALL
PROVENCE'S SPONSORSHIP12+
MONTHS PROCESSING TIME20+
IMMIGRATION LAWYERSExpress Entry is a system that the Canadian government initiated on January 1, 2015, to effectively oversee applications for Canadian permanent residence with the aim of addressing labor shortages. It serves as a platform to select and engage with skilled and qualified applicants while also managing a pool of immigration-ready skilled workers.
Express Entry provides a pathway to permanent residence not only for skilled workers residing in Canada but also for those from other countries. Additionally, provinces and territories can leverage Express Entry to fulfill their specific labor market requirements through their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The Express Entry system manages three key immigration programs:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
Eligibility:
Canadian Experience Class:
This program is designed for skilled workers who possess at least one year of full-time Canadian work experience. The work experience should fall under the categories of NOC (National Occupational Classification) 0, 1, 2, or 3. It's possible to have work experience in one or more of these categories. Educational requirements for this program include at least a secondary (high school) education. However, if you have completed post-secondary education outside Canada after the 12th grade, you will need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from a designated organization to demonstrate the equivalence of your education to a Canadian degree, diploma, or certificate. The required IELTS CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) score is 7 for NOC 0 or NOC 1 jobs and 5 for NOC 2 or NOC 3 jobs. Importantly, there is no specific fund requirement for the Canadian Experience Class program.
Federal Skilled Worker Program:
To be eligible for this program, you must have a minimum of one year of continuous work experience in NOC 0, 1, 2, or 3 job categories. The age requirement falls between 21 and 44 years. Educational qualifications range from diploma to bachelor's, master's, or PhD degrees. You'll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for foreign education. A compulsory IELTS CLB score of 7 is required. While not mandatory, a spouse's IELTS score of 5.5 can add extra points. Financial requirements for this program include approximately $13,800 for the principal applicant and approximately $3,700 for each dependent.
Federal Skilled Trades Program:
For this program, applicants must have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the five years preceding the application. Eligibility also requires a valid job offer of at least one year of full-time employment or a qualification certificate in the specific skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial, or federal authority. Unlike the other programs, there is no specific education requirement for the Federal Skilled Trades program. The IELTS CLB requirements are 5 for Speaking and Listening and 4 for Reading and Writing. Financial requirements include approximately $13,800 for the principal applicant and approximately $3,700 for each dependent.
Benefits:
- The Government of Canada, provinces and territories (P/Ts), and Employers play a direct role in economic immigration.
- Express Entry candidates benefit from a processing time of six months or less.
- CIC selects candidates most likely to succeed in Canada, rather than based on first-come, first-served.
- Express Entry candidates with a valid job offer or P/T nomination are quickly invited to apply for permanent residence.
- Having blood relatives in Canada adds extra points.
- Candidates can apply for permanent residence under multiple programs at the same time.
- Proficiency in the French language adds extra points.
- A high IELTS score adds extra points.
- Candidates from all categories can apply.
- Education-related experience is not required.
- A spouse's IELTS score (5 bands) and education add extra points.