Express Entry eligibility requirements
The minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program, and how to check if you qualify.
- Express Entry manages three programs, each with its own minimum requirements.
- Most candidates qualify through the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
- Language ability (CLB level) and skilled work experience are the two most common eligibility filters.
- Meeting the minimum is not enough — your CRS score still decides whether you are invited.
The three programs managed by Express Entry
Express Entry is an application management system, not a program. It manages three federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST). You must meet the minimum requirements of at least one of them to enter the pool.
A provincial nomination through an Express Entry-aligned stream can also help you qualify, but you still need to satisfy one of the three federal programs first.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW) requirements
Skilled work experience: at least one year of continuous full-time work, or the equivalent part-time, within the last 10 years, in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation.
Language: Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities in English or French.
Education: a completed Canadian secondary or post-secondary credential, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for a foreign credential.
Settlement funds: enough money to support yourself and your family, unless you already have a valid job offer or are authorised to work in Canada.
Points: at least 67 points on the FSW selection grid, which scores age, education, language, work experience, arranged employment and adaptability.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) requirements
At least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years, in a NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupation.
Language: CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3 occupations.
The CEC has no proof of funds requirement and no education requirement, but both can still raise your CRS score.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST) requirements
At least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years.
Language: CLB 5 in speaking and listening, and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
Either a valid full-time job offer for at least one year, or a certificate of qualification in that trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
Language requirements at a glance
Language ability is the single most common reason candidates are found ineligible. The CLB level you need depends on the program and, for the CEC, on the TEER of your occupation.
Accepted tests are IELTS General Training and CELPIP for English, and TEF Canada and TCF Canada for French. Your test scores are converted to the Canadian Language Benchmark.
Admissibility and other general requirements
Everyone must be admissible to Canada, which means passing medical, security and criminality checks. A criminal record, a serious medical condition or a security concern can make you inadmissible.
You must also plan to live outside the province of Quebec, which runs its own immigration selection system.
How to check if you qualify
Start by identifying which of the three programs you might meet, then estimate your score with the CRS calculator. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation — your CRS score is what determines whether you are invited in a draw.
If you are eligible, create an Express Entry profile and keep your language, education and work history details current.