If you have worked and / or studied in Canada you may be eligible to apply for permanent resident status based on your experience – through the Canadian Experience Class. Permanent resident status may be obtained by applying under the Temporary Foreign Worker stream or through the Post-Graduation Stream.

Canadian Experience Class is now processed under Express Entry, whereby the applicant  will first fill out an online profile that includes their language test scores, their Educational Credential Assessment (if they need one) and outlines their work experience. Based on their profiles, candidates will be ranked against others in a pool. On a regular basis, CIC will issue invite top candidates from the pool to apply for permanent residence. Only those who get an Invitation to Apply from CIC will be able to apply.

Under this Express Entry system, launched in January 2015, most complete applications will be processed in six months or less.

Express Entry is mandatory program  if you apply:

under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, under the Canadian Experience Class, or as a provincial nominee, in some cases.

Find out more about these changes and how they may affect you.

Express Entry is used to manage applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:

• the Federal Skilled Worker Program,
• the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
• the Canadian Experience Class.

Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry system through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labour market needs.