Compare All Express Entry Programs

Express Entry is an online system that we use to manage applications for permanent residence for 3 programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program
• Federal Skilled Trades Program
• Canadian Experience Class

Compare the key differences between the programs or choose a specific program to get more details about eligibility.

If you’re eligible for one of the above programs, you can also apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program. If you’re nominated, you’ll get extra points so you can be invited to apply quickly.

Before you compare programs, here are 2 terms you need to know:

1. Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)

The CLB is the Canadian standard used to describe, measure and recognize English language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants who plan to live and work in Canada, or apply for citizenship.

The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens is used to assess abilities in the French language.

There are 4 language ability tests:

• writing
• reading
• listening
• speaking

2. National Occupation Classification (NOC) code

The NOC is a list of all the occupations in the Canadian labor market. It describes each job according to the training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER) needed to work in an occupation

Eligibility criteria for Express Entry

Eligibility criteria	Canadian Experience Class	Federal Skilled Worker Program	Federal Skilled Trades Program
Language skills	English or French skills CLB 7 for TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations CLB 5 for TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupations	English or French skills CLB 7	English or French skills CLB 5 for speaking and listening CLB 4 for reading and writing
Type/Level of work experience	Canadian work experience in an occupation listed in 1 or more of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0 TEER 1 TEER 2 TEER 3	Work experience in an occupation listed in 1 of these NOC TEER Categories: TEER 0 TEER 1 TEER 2 TEER 3	Work experience in a skilled trade under key groups of TEER 2 or TEER 3: Major Group 72, technical trades and transportation officers and controllers, excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers Major Group 73, general trades Major Group 82, supervisors in natural resources, agriculture and related production Major Group 83, occupations in natural resources and related production Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers Major Group 93, central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors, excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors Minor Group 6320, cooks, butchers and bakers Unit Group 62200, chefs
Amount of work experience	One year in Canada in the last 3 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work)	One year continuous within the last 10 years (combination of part-time, full-time or more than 1 job in your primary occupation) Note: Your primary occupation means the job you have experience in (within the last ten years) and want to base your immigration application on, if you are invited to apply.	Two years within last 5 years (either combination of full-time or part-time work)
Job offer	Not required.	Not required. But you can get selection criteria (FSW) points for having a valid job offer.	Required: a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least 1 year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
Education	Not required.	Secondary education required. You can get more selection criteria (FSW) points for your post-secondary education.	Not required.