Temporary residents currently living in Quebec have a number of options should they wish to settle elsewhere in Canada.
If you’re currently living in Quebec and pursuing Canadian permanent residence (PR), you may want to consider these other options, given the recent pause of two prominent Quebec immigration streams: the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) and the Graduate component of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
In the spirit of Francophone immigration week, the following article breaks down these viable immigration options for international graduates and foreign skilled workers in Quebec, through Canada’s Express Entry system.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
Why use Express Entry?
You cannot simply apply for Canadian permanent residency; you must first be invited.
Canada’s federal government uses the Express Entry system to issue invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence to top-ranking candidates for three federal immigration programs, for candidates who intend to settle in provinces and territories other than Quebec.
According to the most recent Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government intends to welcome 124,680 new permanent residents through Express Entry in 2025.
If you wish to settle outside Quebec and are eligible for one of these programs, you can create a profile in the Express Entry system—the federal government’s equivalent of Arrima.
What options do these individuals have through Express Entry?
To get an ITA through Express Entry, you must qualify for one of the programs, and you must have a high enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to get invited in a draw for which you’re eligible.
See the chart below to determine which program you are most likely to be able to qualify for:
| Stream/pathway | Summary of key requirements | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | – One year skilled work experience in Canada.
– French or English proficiency. |
– Candidates who meet the Canadian work experience requirement. |
| Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | – One year of skilled work experience.
– French or English proficiency. – Settlement funds, or valid job offer plus work authorization. – Minimum score on FSWP grid. |
– Candidates without a year of Canadian skilled work experience. |
| Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | – Two years skilled trade work experience.
– Certificate of trade qualification, or valid job offer. – Settlement funds, or valid job offer plus work authorization. – French or English proficiency. |
– Tradespeople who don’t have a year of Canadian work experience. |
When we consider the cut-off scores for recent draws, we can conclude that if you don’t have a high CRS score—for example, if your CRS score is below about 520—your best chance of receiving an ITA through Express Entry is to get a provincial nomination OR to qualify for a category-based draw.
Boosting your chances with category-based draws
You can qualify for a category-based draw by having a high enough French proficiency, or by having work experience in an eligible occupation for one of the categories:
| Category | Summary of key requirements | CRS cut-off of most recent draw |
|---|---|---|
| French Language Proficiency | Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 or higher in all language abilities | 444 |
| Healthcare | Healthcare work experience | 445 |
| Science, Technology, Education and Math (STEM) | STEM work experience | 491 |
| Trade | Trades work experience | 433 |
| Transport | Transport work experience | 430 |
| Agriculture and agri-food | Agriculture or agri-food work experience | 437 |
For each occupational category-based draw, you must have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in an eligible occupation within the last three years, to be eligible.
You should ensure you pick the correct National Occupation Classification (NOC) code for your occupation (see below).
How does Express Entry work?
Express entry works in two stages:
- The candidate creates a profile online in the Express Entry system. If the profile is eligible, the candidate enters the pool and is ranked with a CRS score.
- IRCC conducts rounds of invitations (draws), in which it issues ITAs to the highest-ranking candidates.
After receiving an ITA, the candidate has 60 days to respond with an application for PR.
The candidate can either:
- Respond with an application for PR;
- do nothing; or
- respond by declining the invitation.
If the candidate applies, IRCC processes their application, typically within about six months.
If the candidate does nothing, their profile is invalidated and will not be considered for future draws.
If the candidate declines their invitation, they are returned to the pool and will be considered for future draws.
How do Express Entry draws work?
There are three types of invitation rounds, or draws, under Express Entry:
- General Rounds: IRCC invites candidates with the highest CRS scores from across all programs.
- Program-Specific Rounds: IRCC invites top-scoring candidates eligible for a specific program within Express Entry. These also include Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. More information on PNPs is available below.
- Category-Based Rounds: IRCC invites candidates who meet specific criteria that align with Canada’s economic and demographic priorities.
How are profiles ranked?
Candidates are ranked in the Express Entry system through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This is a points-based tool designed to identify candidates with the strongest potential to succeed in the Canadian job market.
How the CRS Works
The CRS awards points across three categories, with a maximum of 1,200 points available. The categories include:
- Core Human Capital Factors: Based on age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
- Candidates without a spouse/partner can earn up to 500 points for core human capital factors.
- Candidates with a spouse/partner can earn up to 460 points for their core human capital factors, plus an additional 40 points for their spouse’s factors.
- Skill Transferability Factors: Points for skills that complement core factors, like education paired with work experience, for a maximum of 100 points.
- Additional Factors: Extra points for factors like a provincial nomination, job offer, Canadian education, sibling in Canada, and French language skills.
- Provincial nomination awards 600 points, greatly boosting a candidate’s chances of receiving an ITA.
- Additional points are also available for French proficiency (25 or 50 points depending on English ability) and for having a sibling in Canada (15 points).
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked and invited to apply for PR based on their CRS scores, in various kinds of draws covered in the previous section.
Use our free tool to calculate your CRS score!
Eligibility for Canadian Experience Class
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is one of three immigration streams managed by Canada’s federal Express Entry system.
The CEC is for individuals with skilled work experience in Canada who wish to become permanent residents.
Because the CRS awards additional points for Canadian work experience, candidates who qualify for CEC are also likely to have higher CRS scores, further increasing their chances of receiving an ITA.
As of Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has committed to prioritizing CEC candidates for PR selection, in addition to candidates in regional programs, under a new priority category known as the “In-Canada Focus” category.
Eligibility Requirements for the Canadian Experience Class
| Criterion | Details |
| Work Experience in Canada | Candidates must have at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months prior to their application date. This experience must amount to at least 1,560 hours (equivalent to one year of full-time work) and can be obtained through full-time or part-time roles.
Note: Self-employment and work experience obtained while studying full-time (e.g., co-op or internships) do not count. |
| Language Proficiency | Applicants must meet or exceed specific Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB): CLB 5 for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 jobs (“initial intermediate”) and CLB 7 for NOC TEER category 0 or 1 jobs (“adequate intermediate proficiency”). |
| Intent to Reside Outside Quebec | The CEC is for individuals planning to live and work outside Quebec. |
| Timeframe | Applicants may remain in Canada during the application process, but the CEC also welcomes those who are no longer in Canada, provided they apply within three years of leaving their Canadian job. |
Eligibility for Federal Skilled Worker
The FSWP is one of Express Entry’s three programs and is designed as a pathway to assist foreign skilled workers without Canadian work experience to immigrate to the country. The stream is also considered within IRCC’s new “In-Canada Focus” category.
The FSWP uses its own scoring grid to determine stream eligibility.
Candidates within the program must meet minimum requirements and receive a score of at least 67 out of 100 possible points to be eligible for this stream.
Minimum requirements for the FSWP are:
- One year of continuous full-time work experience, or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation classified as NOC TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3.
- Language ability equivalent to a CLB level 7 in either English or French. Candidates must take an approved language test from a recognized testing organization.
- Canadian education credential, or foreign education credential with an Education Credential Assessment (ECA).
- Meet settlement fund criteria if applicable (candidates who have arranged employment in Canada and are legally cleared to work in Canada may have this requirement waived).
- Score at least 67 points based on the scoring criteria below.
FSWP selection factors for eligibility are given in the table below:
| Selection factors | Maximum points awarded |
|---|---|
| Education | 25 points |
| Language Skills | 28 points |
| Work Experience | 15 points |
| Age | 12 points |
| Arranged Employment | 10 points |
| Adaptability | 10 points |
Discover if You Are Eligible for the FSWP
Eligibility for Federal Skilled Trades
The FSTP is another program managed by Canada’s Express Entry system. It is a program for workers with skilled trades experience.
Eligibility requirements for the FSTP
In order to be eligible for the FSTP candidates must:
- Have a valid job offer of continuous employment (at least 30 hours a week) from up to two employers in Canada for at least one year, OR a certificate of qualification from a provincial or territorial regulatory body;
- Have a level of language proficiency equivalent to a CLB level 5 for speaking and listening skills and at least a CLB level 4 for reading and writing skills, in either English or French;
- Have obtained two years of full-time experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in an eligible skilled trade within the last five years prior to applying; and
- Be able to demonstrate their skills and experience in an eligible skilled trade, and that they have performed the essential duties of their occupation.
Under this stream, occupations in the following sub-groups (as designated by the 2021 NOC system) are eligible under the FSTP:
Candidates eligible under the FSTP may also be eligible for category-based draws under the Express Entry system for skilled tradespeople (covered below).
Step-by-Step Process to Apply through Express Entry
The Express Entry system of submitting a profile and then (if a candidate has received an ITA) an application for PR is similar to Quebec’s use of the Arrima system to invite skilled immigration candidates to the province.
- Eligibility Check: Determine if a candidate meets the requirements for one of the Express Entry programs, as well as basic admissibility requirements.
- Language Testing and Credential Assessment: Complete language tests and, if required, obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for evaluation of foreign educational credentials.
- Profile Submission: Submit an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website.
- Wait for an ITA: If your profile is eligible, you’ll be entered into the Express Entry pool. Roughly every two weeks, IRCC conducts Express Entry draws, and sends ITAs to the top ranking candidates meeting the ministerial instructions for that round. If selected, candidates will receive an ITA to apply for PR.
- Complete Application for PR: Submit a completed application for PR within 60 days of receiving an ITA, including medical exams and police certificates, along with the required fees. IRCC will issue an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR) once the application has been received.
- Final Decision and Confirmation: IRCC aims to process applications within six months. Approved applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if required, a permanent resident visa for travel to Canada.
Documents needed for Express Entry
| Stage | Documents Needed |
|---|---|
| Profile Stage | At this stage, candidates will need information from the following sources to complete their profile:
– Passport or Travel Document: Basic identification information. Venezuelan passport holders may need to take additional steps. – Language Test Results: Required to prove a candidate’s proficiency in English or French. Language test results must be pre-approved and should be administered by a designated language test provider. – Proof of Education: If a candidate is claiming points for education completed outside Canada, they need Canadian education proof or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. – Provincial Nomination: Should be included if candidates have received a nomination from a province or territory to immigrate there. – Job Offer: Documentation of a written job offer from a Canadian employer, if applicable. – Proof of Work Experience: Records to verify skilled work experience. These can include a letter of employment. – Certificate of Qualification: Required if a candidate hold a qualification in a trade occupation from a Canadian authority (e.g., province or territory), if applicable. – Proof of Funds: Information to demonstrate the candidate has sufficient funds, unless exempt (for example CEC candidates). |
| Application Stage | If a candidate receives an invitation to apply, they will need to upload the documents used in the profile stage, plus additional documentation as applicable. These include:
– Police Certificates: Required from every country where a candidate has lived for six months or more since age 18. – Proof of Funds: Updated documentation to verify a candidate’s available settlement funds. – Medical Examination: Until October 5, 2029, immigration candidates who have a new or pending application for temporary or permanent residence made from within Canada do not require an Immigration Medical Exam. More information can be found here. – Birth Certificate: Required if a candidate is declaring dependent children. – Use of a Representative Form: Needed if a candidate is using the services of a representative. – Common-Law Union Form: Required if a candidate’s profile declares their marital status as “common-law.” – Marriage Certificate: Needed if a candidate’s profile declares their marital status as “married.” – Divorce Certificate and Legal Separation Agreement: Required if a candidate’s profile declares their marital status as “divorced.” – Death Certificate: Needed if a candidate’s profile declares their marital status as “widowed.” – Adoption Certificate: Required if a dependent child is listed as “adopted.” |
How long does Express Entry take?
There is no telling how long it will take you to receive an ITA after entering the pool.
If your CRS score is high enough, and/or if you qualify for a category-based draw or have a provincial nomination, you could receive an ITA on the very next draw–possibly within days or weeks of having submitted your profile.
On the other hand, you could wait months or even years in the pool, or never receive an ITA.
For applicants who have responded to an ITA with a complete application, IRCC’s service standard for processing permanent residence (PR) applications is six months.
The degree to which the department is able to process submitted applications within the time frame varies greatly depending on the number of applications IRCC is dealing with and their backlog at any given time.
For the most up-to-date information on IRCC processing times, candidates can check the government’s official webpage.
Get a Free Express Entry Assessment
Priority categories under the Express Entry system
In the announcement of the latest Immigration Levels Plan, the federal government called out three areas of focus for category-based draws in 2025:
- French language proficiency;
- Healthcare; and
- Trades.
How can I tell if my occupation is eligible under one of the professional categories?
Occupations in Canada (and under the Express Entry system) are systemized and ordered using the National Occupation Classification (NOC) 2021 system. Under this system, occupations in the country are categorized by both the industry and sector they are relevant to, as well as the Training Education Experience and Responsibilities (TEER).
To determine whether a candidate is eligible for one of the professional Express Entry categories, they will have to determine the NOC code for their occupation and see if it aligns with one of the professional categories.
In order to find the relevant NOC code, candidates should pay special attention to each occupation description. Job titles under the NOC are phrased to be comprehensive for the purpose of broader categorization, so understanding and comparing a candidate’s job roles and description to those in the system can be crucial in finding the correct NOC code.
Immigration candidates should also be aware that choosing the wrong NOC code in their application can lead to serious delays and repercussions to their application. Reporting the wrong NOC code on an immigration application can constitute misrepresentation (a kind of fraud), even if it is done by mistake, and lead to fines, revocation of applications, and even being banned from applying to IRCC in the future.
For more information on finding your NOC code, find our dedicated webpage here.
Approved language tests for the French-language proficiency category
To be eligible for the French-language proficiency category of Express Entry, candidates must (in addition to meeting basic admissibility and eligibility requirements for one of Express Entry’s three programs) have French-language test results showing a language proficiency of NCLC level 7 in all tested skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) from an IRCC-approved testing organization. These include:
Test results are valid for up to two years from the date that results were received. Valid test results are required when candidates complete their Express Entry profile, and when they apply for PR.
As of Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has committed to increasing the proportion of francophone immigration candidates for PR selection, under its current immigration target. In 2025, the federal government intends for Francophone immigration to account for 8.5% of PR admissions outside Quebec, or 29,325 admissions.
See your eligibility for all Express Entry streams
