Express Entry Glossary

Last updated: 14 March 2023

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

A

Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)

An Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) is issued to an applicant (or their representative, if applicable) once their application for permanent residence has passed the completeness check. The letter is issued by the Centralized Intake Office. If the application was submitted electronically, this letter is sent to the applicant via their MyCIC account; otherwise, the letter is sent by mail. This letter may be used to support a bridging open work permit if all other requirements are met.

B

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP)

The Bridging Open Work Permit provides applicants who have received positive eligibility decisions and whose work permits are approaching expiration, more flexibility in order to maintain status considering an imminent decision on their permanent residency application is upcoming.

Eligibility requires that the following conditions must be satisfied:

The foreign national is currently in Canada;
They have valid status on a work permit that is due to expire within four months;
They are the principal applicant on an application for permanent residency under the FSWP, the CEC, the FSTP, or the PNP;
They have received a positive eligibility assessment on their permanent residency application under one of the Economic Class programs above; and
They have applied for an open work permit.

C

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) is a Canadian standardized test that assesses proficiency in English for immigration and citizenship purposes. While it consists of two different tests, only the “CELPIP-General Test” is accepted as part of an immigration application. It has four test components, listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and a score of M (Minimal proficiency or insufficient information to assess) or of 3-12 is given. The CELPIP General Test is completed computer-delivered.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This class is for temporary workers who have at least one year of experience in Canada or graduates from a Canadian post-secondary school who have at least one year of work experience in Canada, and who want to apply for permanent residence. Applicants applying in this class should also have good English or French skills and be used to Canadian society.

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)

Canada has its own system for describing language proficiency according to Canadian standards. Language proficiency is ranked according to Canadian Language Benchmarks or CLBs. There are 12 CLBs that cover the range from the most basic ability (CLB 1) to complete fluency (CLB 12). Candidates for Canadian immigration through a federal economic immigration program are required to demonstrate their proficiency in either English or French by way of a standardized test recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Results of tests have a corresponding CLB for each of the four language components that are assessed: Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening.

Citizenship

Unlike nationality, citizenship is a legal status that is recognized by a state. It is generally accompanied by duties, rights, and privileges such as the right to vote or own land.

D

Dependent Child

A dependent child, in relation to a parent who is applying for residency in Canada, is either the biological or adopted child of the parent, who is under 19 years of age and is neither married nor in a common-law relationship. Children who are 19 years and older but who are unable to support themselves because they suffer from a mental or physical condition are also considered dependents.

Draw

Candidates are selected from the pool of potential candidates for immigration to Canada through a process called a “draw.” The selection of candidates from the pool is based on the attributed score from the Comprehensive Ranking System. The candidates with the highest CRS are then invited to apply for Permanent Residence in Canada. There are two types of draws, as potential applicants can be drawn from the general pool of candidates or from a specific program. The draw contains pertinent information (instructions) such as the date/time of the draw, number of candidates to receive an ITA, and, if applicable, it will contain information on the specific program of the particular draw.

E

Education

A maximum of 25 points can be awarded for education under the Federal Skilled Worker selection criteria. Points in this category are awarded based on the type of degree attained and the length of time spent studying. Canadian diplomas and certificates or foreign education deemed equivalent could earn points in this category.

Read more: Education

Educational Credential

An educational credential is any degree, diploma, apprenticeship, or trade credential issued on the completion of a program at an educational or training institution. In order to immigrate as a Federal Skilled Worker, to work in certain jobs in Canada or a trade, and to study in Canada, foreign nationals must get their credentials assessed. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is designed to verify the validity of foreign degrees, diplomas, certificates, or other proof of credentials and whether they are equal to a completed credential in Canada.

Read more: Education

Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

An Educational Credential Assessment, or ECA, is a report issued by an organization designated by the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship that verifies the authenticity of a foreign diploma, certificate or credential, and assesses its equivalence to a Canadian educational credential.

Read more: Education

Express Entry

Express Entry is the new electronic management application system for immigration to Canada. It is not a new immigration program. Rather, it facilitates the selection and processing of Canada’s economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class, the Canadian Experience Class, and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs. Applicants make an "expression of interest" (EOI) in immigrating to Canada and, if they are eligible for at least one of the aforementioned programs, they then enter the Express Entry pool. The federal government and provincial governments, as well as Canadian employers, are then able to select candidates from this pool who will then receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for immigration to Canada under one of the programs.Express Entry aims to fast track the processing of skilled immigrants deemed most likely to succeed in Canada.

F

Family Members

For immigration purposes, a person's family member means a:

Spouse or common-law partner;
Dependent child;
Spouse's or common law partner's dependent child; and
Dependent child of a dependent child

Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC)

Formerly: Federal Skilled Trades Program

This category allows immigrants to be chosen based on their potential to become economically established in Canada. The FSTC allows individuals with job offers or appropriate certification to work in certain occupations to obtain Canadian permanent residence in any Canadian province or territory other than Quebec. Eligible candidates must make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada through the Express Entry selection system.

Read more: Education

Full-Time Equivalent

Part-time or accelerated studies will be considered equivalent to full-time studies if they are equal to the total amount of time required to complete those studies on a full-time basis.

Read more: Education

Full-Time Work

Full-time work means working at least 30 hours over a period of one week, where work refers to an activity for which wages are paid or commission is earned.

For applications in the Federal Skilled Worker Class, working the equivalent amount of time through part-time paid work experience will satisfy the work experience requirement as long as more than one part-time job is held simultaneously or one or more part-time jobs are held over the equivalent of at least one year of full-time work. The part-time job(s) must be held over a continuous period.

G

General Draw

Each draw will contain a set of instructions. In the event that the draw does not pertain to a specific program, stated in the instructions, the draw is a general draw and will apply to all candidates meeting the specified rank according to the CRS.

H

I

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)

Formerly: Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

IRCC develops and implements policies, programs, and services that facilitate the arrival of people and their integration into Canada, protects refugees and people in need of protection, and promotes the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. It also grants citizenship, issues travel documents (such as passports), promotes multiculturalism, and advances migration policies in a way that supports Canada’s immigration and humanitarian objectives, among other things.

Immigration Representative

An immigration representative is an individual who has the permission of a potential Canadian immigrant or citizen to conduct business with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on their behalf. When an individual appoints a representative, he or she may also authorize IRCC to share information from his or her case file with the representative. Using the services of an immigration representative can help to make the complex immigration process more seamless and pain-free. The credibility, knowledge and experience of the representative is of critical importance. Applicants should not assume that individuals who make claims of expertise are qualified, or even permitted, under Canadian legislation, to handle the crucial matters associated with Canadian Immigration applications.

J

Job Bank

The job bank is an electronic database of job postings by employers across Canada. Registration with the job bank is required for those candidates who do not have a job offer in order to submit their Express Entry profile. The registered candidates’ skills, knowledge, and expertise can be linked to corresponding potential Canadian employers.

K

L

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

The Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a process in which Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) verifies and evaluates a job offer to make sure a foreign worker’s employment will not have a negative impact on the Canadian labor market. It is the employer’s job to describe the position for which they are looking to hire a foreign worker. ESDC will take into account a number of factors when deciding to issue an LMIA including whether the foreign worker’s salary will be consistent with the average for that occupation and whether hiring the foreign worker will help create jobs for Canadians or allow Canadians to keep the jobs they currently have.

Language Skills

A maximum of 28 points can be awarded for Language Skills under the Federal Skilled Worker selection criteria. Points in this category are awarded based on writing, speaking, reading, and listening proficiency in either English or French. To get points, the applicant must provide his or her results from a language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for each language (see Approved Testing Organizations), and both languages must be submitted at the same time if the applicant would like to get points for both.

M

Medical Inadmissibility

Individuals wishing to enter Canada, either permanently or temporarily as visitors, foreign workers, and international students, may be denied entry if they or their dependents are deemed medically inadmissible.

A person may be considered inadmissible if he or she:

Is a danger to public health or safety; or
Would cause excessive demand on health or social services in Canada

N

National Occupational Classification (NOC)

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the official Canadian government classification system of occupations. The NOC groups occupations in the Canadian economy by skill type and level based on the necessary tasks, duties, and responsibilities.

Non-Accompanying Family Members

Canadian immigration requirements apply to applicants and their dependents regardless of whether those dependent family members are accompanying them or not. Non-accompanying family members must still:

Pass examinations to show they are medically admissible to Canada; and
Not be criminally inadmissible to Canada; and
Have a sponsor who has the financial ability to provide for both accompanying and non-accompanying family members

O

Open Work Permit

An Open Work Permit is a permit that is not dependent on a job and no job offer is required for the permit to be granted. A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is not required since the Open Work Permit does not require a job offer. Open Work Permits may be applied for by the spouses/common-law partners of foreign temporary workers or foreign students and by international students who have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution.

P

Pass Mark

To qualify as a Skilled Worker, an applicant must receive a pass mark of 67 points based on the six selection factors (education, language skills, work experience, age, arranged employment, and adaptability). While it is generally difficult to qualify as a Skilled Worker with a score under 67, Canadian Immigration Visa Officers are authorized to use substituted evaluations if they believe that a score is not indicative of the applicant's ability to become economically established in Canada.

Q

Qualifying Offer of Arranged Employment

A qualifying offer of arranged employment, within the Express Entry immigration selection system, means that the candidate holds a job offer supported by a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from a Canadian employer.

R

Restricted Occupations

Restricted occupations cannot be used to satisfy the minimum requirements for Skilled Workers, nor can points be awarded for work experience in a restricted occupation. Restricted occupations are defined by the government and differ over time.

S

Selection Criteria

An applicant to the Federal Skilled Worker Class must be capable of becoming economically established in Canada. In order to demonstrate that this is the case, a Canadian Immigration Officer will assess applicants based on six selection criteria once their applications have met all the minimum requirements:

Education
Language Skills
Work Experience
Age
Arranged Employment
Adaptability

T

Test d'Évaluation du Français (TEF)

The Test d'Évaluation du Français (TEF) is a standardized test that assesses French language proficiency. The test can be used to prove French ability for immigration and citizenship purposes and is the only French language examination accepted for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. There are four language components on the test: compréhension de l’écrit, compréhension de l’orale, expression écrite, and expression orale.

U

V

W

Work Experience

A maximum of 15 points can be awarded for Work Experience under the Skilled Worker selection criteria. Points are awarded for the number of years the applicant has spent in full-time paid work, which is at least 30 hours per week, or an equal amount of part-time work. To be valid, work experience:

Must be at least one year of full-time or part-time work in the same occupation that amounts to 1,560 hours
Must be paid;
Has to have occurred in the past 10 years;
Has to be classified at TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Finally, the duties performed must match those described in the lead statement of the occupational description in the NOC. This includes all the essential duties and most of the main duties that are listed.

Express Entry Glossary

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Immigrate

Latest News

Canada's Express Entry Draw Results from April 24, 2024

Canada's Express Entry Draw Results from April 11, 2024