FREE GUIDE
How to start your Canada immigration journey
7 steps, in the order that saves you the most time and money.
Find my NOC codeFind your NOC code
Every program checks your job against Canada's National Occupational Classification. Your NOC decides which programs and provinces are open to you.
TEER 0 to 3
qualifies as skilled work for Express Entry's Federal Skilled Worker program
Good to know
Match your real duties, not your job title. Officers check duties.
Your occupation is only one requirement; you must also meet the program's other eligibility criteria.
Pick your Express Entry program
Express Entry is the main door for skilled workers. It covers three programs.
Federal Skilled Worker
1 year of continuous skilled work in the last 10 years, CLB 7 language, 67 of 100 selection points
Canadian Experience Class
1 year of eligible skilled work inside Canada in the last 3 years, plus the required language level
Federal Skilled Trades
2 years in an eligible skilled trade in the last 5 years, plus a valid job offer or Canadian trade certificate and the required language level
Working outside Canada? Most people start with Federal Skilled Worker.
Take a language test
Language is the biggest part of your score that you fully control. Book early, retake if you need to.
English
IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core
French
TEF Canada, TCF Canada
Good to know
Speak some French? It can add bonus points and open French-language draws if you meet their requirements. Results stay valid for 2 years.
Get your education assessed
For Federal Skilled Worker eligibility or Express Entry education points, a degree from outside Canada, including the US, only counts once it has an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
5 years
an ECA stays valid
Weeks
to get one back; timing varies and can take months
Good to know
Start it the same week you book your language test. Use an IRCC-designated organization like WES; some regulated occupations require a specific assessing body.
Calculate your CRS score
CRS ranks everyone in the Express Entry pool. Age, education, language and work experience add up to your score.
1,200
points maximum
Since March 2025, a job offer no longer adds CRS points. A valid job offer can still matter for program eligibility.
Find provinces that want your job
Score too low for federal draws? Provincial Nominee Programs pick people to fill their own job shortages.
+600
CRS points with an Express Entry-linked provincial nomination
For a nomination through an Express Entry-linked PNP stream.
Previous 2026 plan: 55,000
2026 target: 91,500 (+66%)
Each province picks its own occupations. Some streams need a job offer, many don't.
Show your funds, then create your profile
Get your documents ready, then enter the Express Entry pool.
Proof of funds
Federal Skilled Worker applicants need settlement funds, unless already authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer. Amounts change every year on canada.ca.
Express Entry profile
Free to create on canada.ca. It stays in the pool for 12 months while you wait for an invitation.
Everything starts with your NOC code.
Match your duties to the right NOC and see which provincial programs list your job.
General information, not immigration advice. Requirements and targets can change; always confirm the current rules on canada.ca. canada.ca ↗