Economic Immigration
Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada's primary system for managing skilled worker applications for permanent residence. It includes three main federal programs and uses a points-based system to rank candidates and issue Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) is for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada through Express Entry. Applicants are assessed based on education, skilled work experience, language ability, and other selection factors.
To qualify, you must have 1 year of continuous paid skilled work experience (or 1,560 hours total) gained within the 10 years, in a TEER 0–3 occupation (in Canada or abroad), and meet the program's minimum requirements.
Skilled workers in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 with at least 1 year of qualifying paid work experience (in Canada or abroad), plus approved language test results and eligible education.
To qualify under FSW, you must score at least 67/100 on the selection factors before you can enter the Express Entry pool.
Skilled tradespeople with at least 2 years of recent paid work experience in an eligible trade sector, such as construction, manufacturing, transportation, natural resources, or agriculture.
You must have either a valid full-time job offer (minimum 1 year) or a Canadian certificate of qualification in your trade. There is no education requirement under FST.
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Federal Skilled Trades (FST) is for skilled tradespeople who want to become permanent residents of Canada through Express Entry. Applicants are assessed based on skilled trade work experience, language ability, and other program criteria.
To qualify, you must have at least 2 years of paid full-time work experience (or 3,120 hours total) in a qualifying skilled trade within the last 5 years, meet the job requirements set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC), and have either a valid job offer for at least 1 year or a certificate of qualification issued by a Canadian authority.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience and want to become permanent residents of Canada through Express Entry. Applicants are assessed based on skilled work experience in Canada, language ability, and other program criteria.
To qualify, you must have at least 1 year of paid skilled work experience (or 1,560 hours total) gained in Canada within the last 3 years, in a TEER 0–3 occupation, while authorized to work.
Skilled workers with at least 1 year of eligible Canadian work experience in a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation within the last 3 years.
Your work experience must be gained in Canada while authorized to work. Self-employment and most student work experience do not count toward the minimum requirement.
Other Pathways to Permanent Residence
Beyond Express Entry, Canada offers additional pathways to permanent residence through provincial, regional, and community-based programs.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to nominate individuals who have the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to their local economy and who want to become permanent residents of Canada. Most provinces and territories participate in the PNP, each with its own streams and eligibility requirements. Provinces and territories receive an annual nomination allocation from the federal government and decide how to distribute nominations across their programs based on regional labour market and economic needs. There are two main ways to apply: through an Express Entry–aligned stream, where a nomination adds 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, or through a non–Express Entry process, which involves a separate permanent residence application after nomination.
Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers and eligible international graduates who want to live and work in one of Canada's four Atlantic provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland and Labrador. The program is employer-driven and requires a full-time, non-seasonal job offer from a designated employer in Atlantic Canada. To qualify, you must meet the required work experience (1 year or 1,560 hours within the last 5 years) unless you are an eligible international graduate from a recognized Atlantic institution, as well as the applicable education and language requirements. You must also show proof of settlement funds unless you are already living and working in Canada with valid status.
Rural and Francophone Community Immigration pilots (RCIP & FCIP)
The Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) are pathways to permanent residence for skilled workers who want to live and work in selected rural and Francophone minority communities across Canada. These community-driven programs are designed to help local employers fill labour shortages in priority sectors and occupations. To qualify, you must have a job offer from a designated employer in a participating community and meet the program's requirements for work experience, education, and language. You must also obtain a community recommendation before applying for permanent residence and show proof of settlement funds unless you are already working in Canada with valid status.