Express Entry Point Based Selection Criteria

Selection factors – Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)

There are six selection factor points to help assess your eligibility for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

Only If an applicant scores 67 points or higher, they may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program.

If an applicant scores lower than 67 points, they won’t qualify for the program. However ,one may be able to get a higher score by doing things like:

• improving your language skills
• completing another degree, diploma, or certificate
• receiving an offer of arranged employment in Canada

Language skills (maximum 28 points)

It’s very important to be able to communicate in 1 or both of Canada’s official languages. Knowing English, French or both helps you in the Canadian job market.

You can get up to 28 points for your language skills in English and French. Points will be based on your ability to:

• write
• read
• listen
• speak

Language testing

You must take an approved language test to prove your language levels.

You must get a minimum level of CLB 7 or NCLC 7 for 1 official language in all 4 language areas. To get points for the second official language, you must meet the minimum level of CLB 5 or NCLC 5 in all 4 language areas.

Calculate your language points

First official language (maximum 24 points)

Check the table below and add the points that match your skill level:

Second official language (maximum 4 points)

You can get 4 points only if you have a score of at least CLB 5 in each of the 4 language abilities.

Education (maximum 25 points)

If you went to school in Canada, you must have a certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:

• secondary institution (high school) or
• post-secondary institution

If you have foreign education, you must have:

• an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for immigration purposes from a designated organization showing that your education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma or degree from a Canadian:
  • secondary institution (high school) or
  • post-secondary institution

You must include your Canadian credential or your foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment report when you apply.

Work experience (maximum 15 points)

You can get points for the number of years you’ve spent doing full-time paid work (at least 30 hours per week, or an equal amount of part-time [15 hours per week for 24 months]) at skill type 0, or skill levels A or B of the 2016 National Occupational Classification.

To get selection factor points, your work experience will count if it was:

• in Canada or abroad
• while you were studying
• while being self-employed

Use this chart to find the number of points based on your number of years of experience.

Age (maximum 12 points)

You’ll get points based on your age on the day we get your application.

Arranged employment in Canada (maximum 10 points)

You can get points if you have a job offer of at least 1 year from a Canadian employer. You must get the job offer before you apply to come to Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker.

A valid job offer has to be:

• for continuous, paid, full-time work (minimum of 30 hours/week) that is:
  • not seasonal
  • for at least 1 year
• in an occupation listed as Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the NOC.

You must also meet all of the following conditions:

• Your work permit is valid both when you apply and when the permanent resident visa is issued (or you’re allowed to work in Canada without a permit when your permanent resident visa is issued).
• Your current employer has made a valid job offer based on you being accepted as a skilled worker.
• You are currently working for the employer specified on your work permit.
• You have been working for that employer for at least 1 year, continuous full-time or part-time equivalent.

LMIAs and valid job offers

• You can’t get a LMIA (your employer must do this for you).
• Employment and Social Development Canada will only confirm valid job offers for occupations listed in skill type 0, or skill level A or B, of the NOC.

Adaptability (maximum 10 points)

You and your spouse or common-law partner who will immigrate with you to Canada can earn points for adaptability.

You and your spouse can earn a maximum of 10 points by combining any of the elements below. These elements assess how well you and your spouse are likely to settle in Canada.