If you’re interested in living and working in Canada permanently, you’ll need a visa. Fortunately, the ‘Express Entry’ Program gives skilled workers the possible to obtain a permanent visa if the eligibility requirements are met. You will be assessed based on your work experience, skills, and other qualifications for which points will be awarded. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to submit a full application. It’s an efficient and fair process for your pathway to Canada.
Permanent Visa Options
Federal Skilled Worker Class
In order to apply within the ‘Federal Skilled Worker’ category, you have to meet different requirements. This category is devided into two phases. To be eligible you will need 67 out of 100 points in phase one. The eligibility will mainly be determined based on the following factors: age, education, language and work experience.
If you are eligible for this program and a profile has been submitted, you will be evaluated again through the so called ‘Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)’ in phase 2. The CRS score is the relevant score for all invitation rounds, which are held regularely by IRCC.
Federal Skilled Trade Class
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a pathway for skilled tradespeople to become permanent residents of Canad, part of the Express Entry system, targeting professionals in sectors such as construction, transportation or manufacturing for example. Your eligibility and CRS score will be assessed based on your work experience in the past 5 years, the trade, education, age and your language abilities.
Canadian Experience Class
This category is specifically for people with work experience in Canada. If you have gained one year of full-time or the equivalent of part time work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 within the last three years in Canada, you may be eligible for this category. Again your CRS score will be calculated based on the same factors as in the previous categories.
Provincial Nominee Program
Finally, the ‘Provincial Nominee Program’ also belongs to the visa categories within Express Entry. Many Canadian provinces have their own visa programs, called the PNP’s. Through these programs, the provinces can play a more direct role in the selection of immigrants. In addition, it can respond to the demand and supply within the labour market of the specific province. Therefore, each province or territory applies its own criteria and conditions.
These programs could offer additional possibilities if you are not eligible for the federal program. If you have a specific preference for an area you would like to live and work in Canada, ask our specialist about the possibilities for that area.
Are you looking for more information about your visa options for Canada? Get in touch with our visa specialists today for a free assessment and personalized guidance.