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Why skilled workers and international graduates in Quebec should consider Express Entry
Temporary residents currently living in Quebec have a number of options should they wish to settle elsewhere in Canada.
If you’re currently living in Quebec and pursuing Canadian permanent residence (PR), you may want to consider these other options, given the recent pause of two prominent Quebec immigration streams: the Regular Skilled Worker Program (PRTQ) and the Graduate component of the Quebec Experience Program (PEQ).
In the spirit of Francophone immigration week, the following article breaks down these viable immigration options for international graduates and foreign skilled workers in Quebec, through Canada’s Express Entry system.
Why use Express Entry?
You cannot simply apply for Canadian permanent residency; you must first be invited.
Canada’s federal government uses the Express Entry system to issue invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence to top-ranking candidates for three federal immigration programs, for candidates 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 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?
To get an ITA through Express Entry, you must qualify for one of the programs, and you must have a high enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to get invited in a draw for which you’re eligible.
See the chart below to determine which program you are most likely to be able to qualify for:
When we consider the cut-off scores for recent draws, we can conclude that if you don’t have a high CRS score—for example, if your CRS score is below about 520—your best chance of receiving 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 draws
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 categories:
Category Summary of key requirements CRS cut-off of most recent draw
French Language Proficiency Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 7 or higher in all language abilities 444
Healthcare Healthcare work experience 445
Science, Technology, Education and Math (STEM) STEM work experience 491
Trade Trades work experience 433
Transport Transport work experience 430
Agriculture and agri-food Agriculture or agri-food work experience 437
For each occupational category-based draw, you must have at least six months of full-time, continuous work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in an eligible occupation within the last three years, to be eligible.
You should ensure you pick the correct National Occupation Classification (NOC) code for your occupation (see below).
How does Express Entry work?
Express entry works in two stages:
1. The candidate creates a profile online in the Express Entry system. If the profile is eligible, the candidate enters the pool and is ranked with a CRS score.
2. IRCC conducts rounds of invitations (draws), in which it issues ITAs to the highest-ranking candidates.
After receiving an ITA, the candidate has 60 days to respond with an application for PR.
The candidate can either:
• Respond with an application for PR;
• do nothing; or
• respond by declining the invitation.
If the candidate applies, IRCC processes their application, typically within about six months.
If the candidate does nothing, their profile is invalidated and will not be considered for future draws.
If the candidate 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 candidates with the highest CRS scores from across all programs.
• Program-Specific Rounds: IRCC invites top-scoring candidates eligible for a specific program within Express Entry. These also include Express Entry-aligned Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams. More information on PNPs is available below.
• Category-Based Rounds: IRCC invites candidates who meet specific criteria that align with Canada’s economic and demographic priorities.
How are profiles ranked?
Candidates are ranked in the Express Entry system through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This is a points-based tool designed to identify candidates with the strongest potential to succeed
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