What is the Eligibility Criteria for immigration to Canada?

Canada is an immigrant-friendly nation that every year invites tens and thousands of skilled professionals to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) visa. However, to immigrate to Canada, you require meeting the eligibility criteria set by Canadian immigration department or IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada). On this page, you will find the detailed information regarding the requirements for immigration to Canada.

Online and point-based Express Entry system and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) are two most popular and easiest pathways of Canada immigration on Permanent Residence (PR) visa. The eligibility requirements of both programs are more or less the same.

Although, process requirements for each PNP are different and few Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) accept the candidates with low immigration points and low English language proficiency level as well, compared to EE System. These PNPs are, AINP, SINP, OINP, etc.

Let us find out the key requirements to apply for Canadian PR visa through popular Express Entry System:

Eligibility criteria for Express Entry program

Express Entry has six selection factors, based on which IRCC assesses the applicants.

1. Age: The minimum age to apply is 18 years, while there is no upper age limit. However, you get maximum points when you are in the age group of 18-35 years.

2. Education: Although higher secondary is the minimum qualification, you may need more increased capabilities, depending on the occupation. You need to provide ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) from an approved assessing authority, i.e. WES, to verify your qualification as per Canadian education standards.

3. Work experience: Find below the work experience requirement for all three categories of Express Entry:

• FSW – You need to have a minimum of 1-year full-time work experience within ten years. However, to gain higher immigration points, more experience than this is required.
• FST– At least two years of full-time work experience in a Skilled Trade within five years.
• CEC– At least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last three years before.

4. Language ability: Proficiency in English or French is necessary. Also, provide the approved language test result, i.e. IELTS, CELPIP, etc. to claim language ability points. Find below the minimum language ability required for all three categories of the Express Entry system:

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) – Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for all language abilities, i.e. Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)- CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)- 
• CLB 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or
• CLB 5 for NOC B jobs

5. Adaptability: Earn adaptability points for your spouse’s past education, work experience, relative, etc. in Canada, or your spouse/partner has CLB 4 level of language proficiency.

6. Arranged employment: You get valuable points for having arranged a job offer from Canada.

If you are applying for Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category of EE system, you need to score a minimum of 67 points based on the above six factors, to qualify as an applicant.

Apart from the above, you also need to keep your basic documents handy, such as, birth certificates, marriage certificates, photographs, proof of funds documents, etc.

To know more details, confirm your eligibility, and apply for immigration to Canada this year through most appropriate immigration program, you may contact Visas Avenue Canada immigration expert.

You may call the VA migration expert on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can send us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.