Quebec temporary residents can settle anywhere in Canada. If you are presently living in Quebec and pursuing Canadian permanent residence, you might want to consider certain options given the recent pause of two significant Quebec immigration streams, i.e., the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) and the Graduate component of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ). Therefore, in the spirit of Francophone immigration week, here’s why should Quebec skilled workers & graduates use Express Entry.

Why Use Express Entry? 

You need to be first invited in order to apply for Canadian permanent residency. 

Canada’s federal government uses the Express Entry system to issue invitations to apply for permanent residence to top-ranking applicants for three federal immigration programs for applicants 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 over 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? 

In order to know why should Quebec skilled workers & graduates use Express Entry, one must first know what options they have. 

Well, to get an ITA through Express Entry, you must qualify for one of the programs and have a high enough CRS score to be invited to a draw for which you are eligible. 

So, look at the table below to determine which program you will 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 Applicants 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 along with work authorization Minimum score of FSWP grid Applicants 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 do not 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 instance, if your CRS score is below about 520, your best chance of obtaining 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 Draw 

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 work categories:

Category Summary Of Key Requirements CRS Cut-Off Of Most Recent Draw 
French Language Proficiency NCLC Level 7 or higher in all language abilities 444
Healthcare Healthcare Work Experience 445
STEM STEM Work Experience 491
Trade Trades Work Experience 433
Transport Transport Work Experience 430
Agriculture or Agri-Food Agricultural or Agri-Food Work Experience 437

For each occupational category-based draw, you should have a minimum of six months of full-time, continuous work experience in an eligible profession within the last three years to be eligible. 

Thus, you should ensure you pick the correct NOC code for your profession. 

How Does Express Entry Work?

Before knowing why should Quebec skilled workers & graduates use Express Entry, you need to know how Express Entry works. 

Well, there are two stages to it: 

  1. The applicant creates a profile online in the Express Entry system. If the profile is eligible, the applicant enters the pool and is ranked with a CRS score. 
  2. IRCC conducts rounds of invitations, which issue ITAs to the highest-ranking applicants. 

After obtaining an ITA, the applicant has 60 days to respond with an application for PR. 

The applicant can either: 

  • Respond with an application for PR
  • Do nothing
  • Respond by declining the invitation 

If the applicant applies, IRCC typically processes their application within six months. 

If the candidate does nothing, their profile is invalidated and will not be considered for future draws. 

Also, if the applicant 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 applicants with the highest CRS scores from across all programs. 
  • Program-Specific Rounds: IRCC invites top-scoring applicants eligible for a specific program within Express Entry. These also include Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program streams. 
  • Category-Based Rounds: IRCC also invites applicants who meet specific criteria that align with Canada’s economic and demographic priorities.   

How Are Profiles Ranked? 

Applicants are ranked in the Express Entry system through the CRS. This points-based tool is designed to identify applicants with the strongest potential to succeed in the Canadian job market. 

How The CRS Works 

Before knowing why Quebec skilled workers and graduates should use Express Entry, let’s discuss how CRS works. 

Well, the CRS awards points across three categories, with a maximum of 1,200 points available. These categories include: 

  • Core Human Capital Factors: Based on age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
  • Applicants without a spouse/ partner can earn up to 500 points for human capital factors.
  • Applicants with a spouse or partner can earn up to 460 points for their core human capital factors and 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, significantly boosting an applicant’s chances of obtaining an ITA.
  • Additional points are also available for French proficiency and for having a sibling in Canada. 

Candidates in the Express Entry pool are ranked and invited to apply for PR based on their CRS scores in various draws covered in the previous section. 

Eligibility For Canadian Experience Class  

The Canadian Experience Class 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 want to become permanent residents. 

Because the CRS awards extra points for CEC, applicants who qualify for the program will likely have higher CRS scores, increasing their chances of obtaining an ITA. 

As of Canada’s latest Immigration Levels Plan, IRCC has committed to prioritizing CEC applicants for PR selection, in addition to applicants 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. It is a pathway to assist foreign skilled workers without Canadian work experience in immigrating 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. 

Applicants within the program should meet minimum requirements and obtain 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 last ten years in a skilled profession classified as NOC TEER level 0, 1, 2, or 3. 
  • Language ability is equivalent to a CLB level 7 in either English or French. Applicants should take an approved language test from a recognized testing organization. 
  • Canadian education credential or foreign education credential with an ECA. 
  • Meet settlement fund criteria if applicable. 
  • And lastly, score a minimum of 67 points based on the scoring criteria below. 

FSWP selection factors for eligibility are as follows 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 

Eligibility For Federal Skilled Trades 

In order to know why should Quebec skilled workers & graduates use Express Entry, we must now discuss the eligibility for the Federal Skilled Trades Program. 

Canada’s Express Entry system manages one more program, i.e., the FSTP. Also, it is a program for workers with skilled trades experience. 

Eligibility Requirement For The FSTP

In order to be eligible for the FSTP, applicants should: 

  • Have a valid job offer of continuous employment 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 French or English. 
  • Be able to demonstrate their skills and experience in their eligible skilled trade. 
  • Have obtained two years of fill-time experience in an eligible skilled trade within the last five years prior to applying. 

Under this stream, professions in the following subgroups are eligible under the FSTP. 

Eligible NOC Groups For The FSTP

  • Major Group 72: Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers;
  • Excluding Sub-Major Group 726, transportation officers and controllers;
  • Major Group 73: General trades;
  • Major Group 82: Supervisors in natural resources, agriculture, and related production;
  • Major Group 83: Occupations in natural resources and related production;
  • Major Group 92: Processing, manufacturing, and utilities supervisors, and utilities operators and controllers;
  • Major Group 93: Central control and process operators and aircraft assembly assemblers and inspectors;
  • Excluding Sub-Major Group 932, aircraft assemblers, and aircraft assembly inspectors;
  • Minor group 6320: Cooks, butchers, and bakers;
  • Unit Group 6220: Chefs

Applicants eligible under the FSTP might also be eligible for category-based draws under the Express Entry system for skilled tradespeople. 

Step-By-Step Process To Apply Through Express Entry 

The Express Entry system of submitting a profile and then an application for PR is similar to Quebec’s use of the Arrimma system to invite skilled immigration applicants to the province. 

  1. Eligibility Check: 

Determine if an applicant meets the requirements for one of the Express Entry programs and basic admissibility requirements. 

  1. Language Testing and Credential Assessment: 

Complete language tests and, if needed, obtain an ECA for evaluation of foreign educational credentials. 

  1. Profile Submissions: 

Submit an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website. 

  1. Wait For An ITA: 

If your profile is eligible, you will come into the Express Entry pool. Roughly every two weeks, IRCC conducts Express Entry draws and sends ITAs to the top-ranking applicants. Also, if selected, applicants will obtain an ITA to apply for PR. 

  1. Complete Application For PR: 

Submit a completed application for PR within 60 days of obtaining an ITA. It includes medical exams and police certificates, along with the required fees. IRCC will issue an Acknowledgement of Receipt once they get the application. 

  1. Final Decision And Confirmation: 

IRCC aims to process applications within six months. Approved applicants obtain a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and if required, a permanent resident visa for travel to Canada. 

Document 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 holds 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? 

An integral thing to know as to why should Quebec skilled workers & graduates use Express Entry is how much time the process takes.  

So, there is no telling how long it will take you to obtain 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 obtain an ITA on the very next draw, possibly within days or weeks of having submitted your profile. 

On the other hand, you could wait for months or even years in the pool or never obtain an ITA. 

IRCC’s service standard for processing PR applications is six months for applicants who have responded to an ITA with a complete application. 

The degree to which the department is able to process submitted applications within the time frame varies significantly depending on the number of applications IRCC is dealing with and their backlog at any given time. 

Thus, for the most up-to-date information on IRCC processing times, applicants can check the government’s official webpage. 

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 in 2025: 

  • Healthcare 
  • Trades
  • French Language Proficiency 

How Can I Tell If My Profession Is Eligible Under One Of The Professional Categories? 

Professions in Canada are systemized and ordered using the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system. Under this system, professions in the nation are categorized by the industry they are relevant to, along with TEER. 

In order to determine whether an applicant is applicable for one of the professional Express Entry categories, they will have to determine the NOC code for the profession and see if it aligns with one of the professional categories. 

Moreover, applicants should pay special attention to each profession’s description to find the relevant NOC code. Job titles under the NOC are 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 codes. 

Immigration applicants must also be aware that choosing the wrong NOC code in their application can result in serious delays and repercussions to their application. Reporting the wrong NOC code on an immigration application can constitute misinterpretation, 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. 

Approved Language Tests For French-Language Proficiency Category  

The last reason as to why should Quebec skilled workers & graduates use Express Entry is approved language tests for French-language proficiency. 

In order to be eligible for the French language proficiency category of Express Entry, applicants should have French-language test. The results must show a language proficiency of NCLC level 7 in all tested skills from an IRCC-approved testing organization. So, these include:   

  • TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
  • TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français.

Test results are valid up to two years from the date authorities got them. The authorities need these valid test results when applicants complete their Express Entry profile and 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 present 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.  

If you seek information on how to begin your Canada immigration application process, you can talk to our NavaImmigration experts at 1800-918-8490. You can also drop us an email at [email protected].