Canada’s Express Entry system has undergone a significant update that’s sure to excite immigration candidates. In this blog, we’ll explore the recent changes and provide crucial information on how this could affect your journey to becoming a permanent resident in Canada.
New Opportunity for Immigration Candidates: The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has expanded the Express Entry program, opening doors for candidates in 101 trade occupations. This expansion allows eligible candidates to earn extra Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points by obtaining a Certificate of Qualification (COQ).
No Work Experience Required: One of the standout features of this update is that candidates are no longer required to have prior work experience in their designated National Occupational Classification (NOC) to be awarded CRS points for a COQ. This change offers tremendous opportunities for those looking to immigrate to Canada.
How to Obtain a Certificate of Qualification (COQ): To benefit from this Express Entry update, you’ll need to obtain a COQ in your designated trade occupation. The specific requirements and application process may vary depending on the province or territory where you intend to settle. It’s essential to consult official sources or the relevant provincial regulatory authority for precise details.
Assessing Eligibility for Express Entry: Express Entry candidates must meet the requirements of one of the three federal immigration programs managed through Express Entry:
The IRCC suggests a specific order for assessing eligibility:
Exemptions for CEC Candidates: If you’re applying through the Canadian Experience Class, there’s good news for you. You may be exempt from the requirement not to be self-employed if you meet certain conditions, particularly if you’re a medical professional providing publicly funded services in Canada.
5-Digit NOC Code | NOC Title |
22114 | Landscape and horticulture technicians and specialists |
22212 | Drafting technologists and technicians |
22311 | Electronic service technicians (household and business equipment) |
22312 | Industrial instrument technicians and mechanics |
62200 | Chefs |
63200 | Cooks |
63201 | Butchers – retail and wholesale |
63202 | Bakers |
63210 | Hairstylists and barbers |
72010 | Contractors and supervisors, machining, metal forming, shaping and erecting trades and related occupations |
72011 | Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations |
72012 | Contractors and supervisors, pipefitting trades |
72013 | Contractors and supervisors, carpentry trades |
72014 | Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers |
72020 | Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades |
72021 | Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews |
72022 | Supervisors, printing and related occupations |
72023 | Supervisors, railway transport operations |
72024 | Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators |
72025 | Supervisors, mail and message distribution occupations |
72100 | Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors |
72101 | Tool and die makers |
72102 | Sheet metal workers |
72103 | Boilermakers |
72104 | Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters |
72105 | Ironworkers |
72106 | Welders and related machine operators |
72200 | Electricians (except industrial and power system) |
72201 | Industrial electricians |
72202 | Power system electricians |
72203 | Electrical power line and cable workers |
72204 | Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers |
72205 | Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians |
72300 | Plumbers |
72301 | Steamfitters, pipefitters and sprinkler system installers |
72302 | Gas fitters |
72310 | Carpenters |
72311 | Cabinetmakers |
72320 | Bricklayers |
72321 | Insulators |
72400 | Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics |
72401 | Heavy-duty equipment mechanics |
72402 | Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics |
72403 | Railway carmen/women |
72404 | Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors |
72405 | Machine fitters |
72406 | Elevator constructors and mechanics |
72410 | Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers |
72411 | Auto body collision, refinishing and glass technicians and damage repair estimators |
72420 | Oil and solid fuel heating mechanics |
72421 | Appliance servicers and repairers |
72422 | Electrical mechanics |
72423 | Motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and other related mechanics |
72429 | Other small engine and small equipment repairers |
72500 | Crane operators |
72501 | Water well drillers |
72999 | Other technical trades and related occupations |
73100 | Concrete finishers |
73101 | Tilesetters |
73102 | Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers |
73110 | Roofers and shinglers |
73111 | Glaziers |
73112 | Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) |
73113 | Floor covering installers |
73200 | Residential and commercial installers and servicers |
73201 | General building maintenance workers and building superintendents |
73202 | Pest controllers and fumigators |
73209 | Other repairers and servicers |
73300 | Transport truck drivers |
73301 | Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators |
73310 | Railway and yard locomotive engineers |
73311 | Railway conductors and brakemen/women |
73400 | Heavy equipment operators |
73401 | Printing press operators |
73402 | Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction |
82010 | Supervisors, logging and forestry |
82020 | Supervisors, mining and quarrying |
82021 | Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services |
82030 | Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors |
82031 | Contractors and supervisors, landscaping, grounds maintenance and horticulture services |
83100 | Underground production and development miners |
83101 | Oil and gas well drillers, servicers, testers and related workers |
83110 | Logging machinery operators |
83120 | Fishing masters and officers |
83121 | Fishermen/women |
92010 | Supervisors, mineral and metal processing |
92011 | Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities |
92012 | Supervisors, food and beverage processing |
92013 | Supervisors, plastic and rubber products manufacturing |
92014 | Supervisors, forest products processing |
92015 | Supervisors, textile, fabric, fur and leather products processing and manufacturing |
92020 | Supervisors, motor vehicle assembling |
92021 | Supervisors, electronics and electrical products manufacturing |
92022 | Supervisors, furniture and fixtures manufacturing |
92023 | Supervisors, other mechanical and metal products manufacturing |
92024 | Supervisors, other products manufacturing and assembly |
92100 | Power engineers and power systems operators |
92101 | Water and waste treatment plant operators |
93100 | Central control and process operators, mineral and metal processing |
93101 | Central control and process operators, petroleum, gas and chemical processing |
93102 | Pulping, papermaking and coating control operators |
In some cases, a change in age after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) but before submitting your electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR) can affect your CRS score. In such situations, officers may consider applying exemptions based on age-related requirements, as outlined in section A25.2.
Applicants must be cautious not to misrepresent their qualifications in their Express Entry profile or e-APR. Misrepresentation can result in a five-year ban from submitting any further immigration applications to Canada.
Candidates must include all family members in their e-APR, and changes in family composition (e.g., birth of a child, marriage, divorce) must be reported to IRCC immediately.
Maintaining data accuracy is crucial during the Express Entry application process. Settlement funds, while not included in the CRS, are vital for program requirements in FSWC and FSTC.
Candidates applying under FSWC or FSTC must meet settlement fund requirements unless they have current authorization to work in Canada with a qualifying job offer.