Express Entry doors
Official key facts, checked 22 Aug 2026. Confirm the live Canada.ca text before you act.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
[13, 3] Open One of the three Express Entry programs. For skilled workers with foreign or Canadian work experience who plan to live outside Quebec.
- Skilled work in TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- At least 1 year continuous paid work (1,560 hours) in the last 10 years in the same NOC as your primary occupation.
- CLB 7 in all 4 abilities. Below CLB 7 is not eligible.
- Canadian credential, or a completed foreign credential plus an ECA for immigration.
- At least 67/100 on the FSW selection factors. That grid is not CRS.
- Proof of funds unless you can legally work in Canada and have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
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Canadian Experience Class
[14, 3] Open One of the three Express Entry programs. For skilled workers with eligible Canadian work experience who plan to live outside Quebec.
- At least 1 year (1,560 hours) of skilled Canadian work in the last 3 years, TEER 0 to 3. Experience can be in more than one NOC.
- Work must be gained in Canada while authorized. Remote work counts only if you were physically in Canada and working for a Canadian employer.
- Self-employment and full-time student work do not count, including co-op. Temporary public policy exception for physicians providing publicly funded medical services in Canada.
- CLB 7 for TEER 0 or 1. CLB 5 for TEER 2 or 3.
- No education requirement to qualify. Education can still raise a CRS rank.
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Federal Skilled Trades Program
[15, 3] Open One of the three Express Entry programs. For people qualified in a listed skilled trade who plan to live outside Quebec.
- Work must all be in the same listed trade NOC group: Major Groups 72 (except 726), 73, 82, 83, 92, or 93 (except 932); Minor Group 6320; Unit Group 62200.
- At least 2 years full-time (3,120 hours) in that trade in the 5 years before you apply.
- A valid job offer of at least 1 year or a certificate of qualification from a Canadian authority in that trade.
- CLB 5 speaking and listening. CLB 4 reading and writing.
- No education requirement to qualify.
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Category-based selection
[5] Selection layer A selection layer inside the Express Entry pool. Not a fourth program people apply to. You still need FSW, CEC, or FST to sit in the pool.
- IRCC listed 10 current categories on the 22 Jun 2026 page.
- Occupation categories: at least 12 months full-time (or equivalent part-time) in the last 3 years, in a single listed NOC. That work does not need to be continuous.
- Physicians, senior managers, and researchers: same 12-month rule, and the work must be in Canada.
- French-language proficiency: NCLC 7 in all 4 abilities.
- Skilled military recruits is a separate FSMA pathway. It is not the 12-month occupation tag.
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