Who is Eligible for This Program?
To qualify, applicants must have at least one year of continuous, full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work) in a skilled occupation within the last ten years.
Skilled occupations are classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 as:
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TEER 0: Management occupations (e.g., restaurant managers, construction managers, marketing directors)
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TEER 1: Professional occupations that usually require a university degree (e.g., engineers, nurses, teachers, accountants)
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TEER 2: Technical occupations or those requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship training (e.g., computer technicians, medical lab technologists, police officers)
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TEER 3: Intermediate occupations that usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training (e.g., cooks, electricians, butchers, transport truck drivers)
Work Experience That Qualifies
✔ At least 12 months in a row of full-time paid work (30 hours per week) OR an equal amount in part-time work.
✔ Work performed in Canada or abroad (as long as it matches NOC TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3).
✔ Experience gained through legal employment (not volunteer or unpaid work).
✔ Experience acquired within the last 10 years.
Work Experience That Does NOT Qualify
✘ Work in TEER 4 or TEER 5 occupations, such as labourers, general farm workers, or entry-level service jobs.
✘ Self-employment or freelance work (for Federal Skilled Worker Program applicants — unless properly documented under other streams).
✘ Work performed as a full-time student, such as co-op terms or internships.
✘ Unpaid volunteer work or internships.
✘ Work performed outside the required 10-year window.
Why This Matters
This program gives Canadian employers access to a pool of experienced and job-ready professionals who can help them address skill shortages, improve productivity, and grow their businesses. For applicants, it opens the door to a future in Canada with opportunities for long-term stability, career growth, and permanent residence.
This program is open to individuals who have worked in a skilled trades occupation, wish to obtain permanent residency, and intend to reside in a province other than Quebec. Being a skilled tradesperson usually entails having hands-on work and specialty knowledge to build, maintain infrastructure, and keep industries functional. Those workers with technical and supervisory roles in industries also qualify under this category. Others who carry out food preparation, butchering, hairstyling, social services, and baking are also eligible to apply. The qualifying work experience is for a minimum of two years within the previous five years. The Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) system organizes a list of eligible trades that qualify for the program as published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- 72 – industrial, electrical, and construction trades
- 73 – maintenance and equipment operation trades
- 82 – supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture, and related production
- 92 – processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- 632 – chefs and cooks
- 633 – butchers and bakers
Besides the work experience, a potential eligible applicant must also fulfill the minimum requirement of meeting the job requirements for that skilled trade and demonstrate language proficiency (tested knowledge of English or French). In addition, the person must have a one-year continuous full-time permanent job offer or Certificate of Qualification in the trade of interest from a designated federal or provincial authority. Up to two employers can offer employment to a qualified applicant in that skilled trade occupation.
Applicants do not need to have an education component to qualify. However, if you have a certificate or degree from Canada or elsewhere, you will earn additional points on your Express Entry ranking. Individuals may start the application process within or outside Canada if they meet the minimum requirements, have sufficient funds, and qualify to submit an express entry profile.
Elboniel consultants have extensive experience with the required steps to ensure you achieve the highest possible scores on your application.
Canada is always looking for ways to increase its pool of talented, skilled professionals to strengthen its labour force and multicultural identity. The Canadian Experience Class program aims to transition skilled foreign workers and foreign graduates from their temporary resident status to become permanent residents. It is a popular route to permanent residency in Canada for individuals with a minimum of one year of qualifying skilled work experience in Canada. Time spent working as a student will not qualify towards the work experience requirement for the program. Jobs that qualify as skilled work include managerial (skill level 0), professional (skill type A), technical jobs and skilled trades (skill type B). The Canadian Experience Class program is a standard transition route to Canadian permanent residence status for international students because it is designed to retain the best and brightest individuals. It is popular among this group because they can apply once they have worked for at least one year postgraduation. Applicants must show proof of knowledge of English or French and must not plan to live in the province of Quebec.
There is no educational requirement for the program. However, an applicant with a certificate or degree from Canada or elsewhere will earn additional points on their Express Entry ranking. Individuals may start the application process within or outside Canada if their work experience is within the previous three years.
Our consultants can assist you with the entire application process. We will submit your profile to the Express Entry pool and ensure you have optimized your ranking score. In addition, we will help you with organizing the supporting documents, including academic credential evaluation, police certificates (a statement that you do not have a criminal record), and immigration medical examinations (IME) from Panel Physicians approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Provincial Nominee Program is the second-largest economic immigration program in Canada. It enables provinces and territories to create immigration streams based on their individual economic and demographic needs and nominate immigrants at all skill levels. PNP applicants are selected among persons that are likely to reside and economically establish themselves in the province. It complements the federal economic immigration programs in meeting the local labour market and economic needs of Canada. Each province has several immigration streams to attract skilled workers, semi-skilled workers, graduates, and entrepreneurs.
How it works:
Non-Express Entry pathway
Express Entry pathway
In each process, successful candidates with the provincial or territorial nomination can apply for permanent residence through the federal immigration system. The program and process is different for Quebec Immigration
Visit the websites of the provinces and territories listed below to see their current nominee streams.