What to do If you’re not eligible for Express Entry

There are numerous reasons why you might not yet be eligible for Express Entry. However, the good news is that there are ways to improve your eligibility and other immigration pathways that still lead to Permanent Residency.

Reasons you might not eligible for Express Entry

It could be that your language test results require some improvement:

If you are a Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) applicant, you need to have at least CLB7 in your first language (you can choose between French and English).

• If you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), you must have:
  • at least CLB7 in your first language if your primary NOC code is Skill Type/Level 0 or A, or
  • at least CLB5 in your first language if your primary NOC code is Skill Level B.
• If you are a Federal Skilled Trades (FST) applicant, you need to have, in your first language, at least CLB5 in listening and speaking, and CLB4 in writing and reading.

It could be that you need to improve your relevant work experience:

• For FSW, you need at least one year of full-time, continuous, paid work experience, in a NOC code with Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B.
• For CEC, you need at least one year of full-time experience in Canada, in a NOC code with Skill Type/Level 0, A, or B.
• For FST, you need at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade.

Job offers can also impact eligibility:

• For job offers, you do not need one to be eligible, except for Federal Skilled Trade applicants. If you do not have a 1-year job offer from a Canadian employer, you will have to provide a certificate of qualification.
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If you are an FSWP applicant, there is an additional requirement of scoring 67 points on the FSWP Immigration points matrix.

It could be that for the FSWP you are finding it difficult to hit the 67 points eligibility level. Usually, this could be down to the age/education balance. For example, someone scoring top marks for work experience, language skills who has a standard undergraduate degree over the age of 40 may find it difficult to secure the 67 points required.

In these types of scenarios, many potential immigrants often give up on their dream but don’t! Please check out our article on studying in Canada and how studying in Canada can lead to full PR for you and your family (if applicable).

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