Express Entry

Can I have more than one Express Entry profile?

No. You may only have one profile at a time. This is set out in Canada’s immigration law.

Creating more than one profile will not give you a better chance at being invited or allow you to be invited under a different program.

In my online profile or application I am getting validation errors or it tells me that fields are incomplete when they are not. What do I do?

You may want to try using a different Web browser such as Firefox or Google Chrome. You should also check your browser’s language settings and make sure it is set to English or French as special characters can cause errors.

If you are still having a problem, try clearing your browser cache. Your browser’s Help section can tell you how to do this. If the problem continues, you can contact us.

See also One of the forms in my International Experience Canada (IEC) profile is marked “In progress”. How do I fix this?

The online tool said I was eligible for Express Entry, but my completed profile says I’m not. Which one is right?

The online tool asks general questions to see if you may be eligible for one of the programs under Express Entry.

The Express Entry profile asks more specific and detailed questions about your qualifications. It is possible that after you gave more detailed information in your Express Entry profile that you are, in fact, not eligible.

Only a complete Express Entry profile can be used to fully assess if you are eligible.

Can I use my existing Job Bank account to get matched with employers for Express Entry?

No. If you don’t already have a valid job offer, you can create a Job Match account in Job Bank using your Express Entry profile number and Job Seeker Validation Code. A Job Match account can help you start looking for work.

Once you complete your Express Entry profile, if you are found to meet most of the requirements to enter the pool, you should get a message in your account with this information.

To create an account:

• go to the Job Match sign-in page
• click the “Sign up now!” button
• read the privacy notice and click “I agree”
• follow the instructions to create an account

My personal reference code is not working. What should I do?

If you already started to create an Express Entry profile in your account, the reference code won’t work. To continue your profile:

1. go to the “View the applications you submitted” section at the top of your account page
2. choose the line with your Express Entry profile
3. click the “Continue Profile” button

If you have not started creating your profile, you can:

• go through the Come to Canada tool again for a new reference code
• create a profile directly in your account

I am a native English or French speaker. Why do I need to take a language test for Express Entry?

Canada assesses everyone using the same standards, no matter their language of origin, nationality or ethnicity.

Every candidate must take a standard test by an objective third party. This is to make sure your language skills are assessed in a fair and unbiased way.

Even someone from an English-speaking country, who speaks English as a first language, needs to take a test. Likewise, someone from a French-speaking country, who speaks French as a first language, needs to take a test.

You need to submit third-party language results for all programs under Express Entry. You will have to include the results of your test(s) in your Express Entry profile.

Language tests have been required for our skilled immigration programs for many years. Find out more about language testing.

A message in my account says my profile was updated. I didn’t update it today (or don’t see an update). What happened?

It may take up to 24 hours for the system to send a message saying that your profile has been updated.

For example, if you made a change on Monday, you may only receive a message from your account on Tuesday.

I accidently withdrew my Express Entry profile. How can I fix this?

If you withdrew your profile, you will need to create a new one if you want to enter the pool.

You will have to meet the Express Entry requirements in place at that time.

I was found not eligible for Express Entry and I can’t change my profile. What do I do?

If you’ve been found not eligible, you will need to create a new profile. An ineligible profile is no longer valid so you can’t change it, even if you have new information.

You will still have to meet the Express Entry requirements that are in place. So, unless you made a mistake in your first profile or your circumstances have changed (for example, you have new language test results, you now have more work experience, etc.), there is a good chance you will be found ineligible again.

You can review the requirements to see which ones you did not meet. This can help you find what to do to meet the requirements so you can apply again.

How do I update my Express Entry profile before submitting it?

To update your profile, follow these steps:

1. Go to the main page of your account
2. Scroll down to “Continue my profile / application, not yet submitted”
3. Choose the line with your Express Entry Profile
4. Click “Continue Profile” button

Once you’re on the “Express Entry profile” page:

1. Click the “Update form” button for  the “Form Name” you want to update
2. Make the changes you want to the fields
3. Click the “Save and exit” button at the bottom of page to go back to “Express Entry Profile” page.

Some fields in my Express Entry profile are greyed out and I can’t change them. How do I update them?

This is an example of greyed out fields in your Express Entry profile:

In some places, the fields will be coloured gray, and you will not be able to update them. (A red circle with a diagonal line will also appear when you mouse over the field.) This is because the information was brought forward from the first tool (Come to Canada) you completed. To update them, you will have to update them in the previous step. To do this:

1. From the “Express Entry Profile” page:
2. Click on the “Modify Family Information” button at the top of the page:
   
3. Change the fields as needed.
4. Click the “Update Information” button to save any changes:
   

Note: Clicking the “Update Information” button will also bring you to the next section if the change you want to make is not in the first screen.

On the following screens:

You have a few options. You can click:

1. the “Next” button to save your answers and go back to the “Express Entry Profile” page,
2. the “Save and exit questionnaire” button to return to the main page of your account, or
3. the “Modify my Answers” button to see all the eligibility questions.

Click the “pencil” button to access the fields related to that question.

How do I confirm that my Express Entry profile is complete?

To confirm that you profile is complete:

1. Go to the “Express Entry profile” page
2. Click the “Continue form” button for the section with the status “in progress”
3. Verify that all circles to the right have a green check mark in them.

   If one section displays a progress bar instead of a green check mark, open the section and complete the missing information.

4. Click the “save and exit” button to save your changes and return to the “Express Entry profile” page.

I already submitted my Express Entry profile. Can I still update it?

If you weren’t found eligible, you won’t be able to update your profile. You’ll have to create a new profile. Be sure your profile is complete and correct before you submit it.

If your profile was found eligible for the pool, you can still update it after you’ve submitted it. Follow these steps:

1. On the main page of your account, go to the section “View the applications you submitted”.
2. Click on “Check full application status”.
3. On the “Express Entry profile status” page, click on the “View your profile” under the heading “Your Express Entry profile status”.

4. On the “Express Entry profile” page, click on the “Update form” button for the section you want to change.

   

   Note: If the button only says “View form,” your profile wasn’t found eligible. You’ll have to submit a new one.

   
5. Make any changes you need to, and then click the “Save and exit” button at the bottom of the page.
6. Once you finish updating your profile, click on the “Continue” button at the bottom of the page. Follow the instructions provided to submit your updated profile.

Note: The “Revert changes” button will appear each time you enter a form and click on the “Save and exit” button, even if you didn't make any changes.

Where can I find my Express Entry profile number and/or Job Seeker validation code?

You can find these numbers in a message in your account. To find it:

1. Log into your account
2. Go to the heading called "View my submitted applications or profiles"
3. Click on "Check status and messages"
4. Scroll down to the table called “Correspondence”
5. Click on the arrow in front of the message – it will open a drop-down menu with a link
6. Click on the link to open the PDF message

You can find the profile number at the top of the PDF letter (number 1 in the example below). The Job Seeker Validation Code should be under the section “To register with Job Bank” (number 2 in the example).

Example of letter:

Make sure you are looking at the right message. If the text of the message doesn’t match the example above, check other messages in your account to find the right one.

If you did not get a code, there are a few reasons why this may be.

If there is no profile number, you should contact us using the Case Specific Enquiry form.

1. Select your problem.
2. Under Tell us about yourself:
   • If you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111.
   • If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.
3. Under Tell us about your technical issue:
   • Specify the program you’re trying to apply under.
   • Explain any problems that you’re having.
   • Upload screenshots from your account that show us both
     • the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
     • any error messages you’re getting.

How do I withdraw my Express Entry profile?

To withdraw your profile:

1. On the main page of your account, go to the section “View the applications you submitted”
2. Click on the orange “Withdraw profile” button
3. Under the heading “What would you like to do today?” below the “Warning!” text, click on the orange “Continue” button.

In an Express Entry profile, should I only include the minimum work experience needed to qualify for one of the programs, or should I include more?

To qualify for the broadest range of programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you should include work experience for the last 10 years. We also need this information for an application for permanent residence, no matter which program you are applying under.

In an Express Entry profile, what do you mean by the “date the applicant first became qualified to practise this occupation?

If you’re listing a skilled trade as your primary occupation

It’s the date when you first became qualified to practise on your own in that trade. For example, the date you moved from apprentice to fully qualified tradesperson.

If you’re being assessed for the Federal Skilled Trades Program, work experience in a trade will only count if you’re qualified to independently practise in the region where you got your work experience.

If you’re listing any other primary occupation

It’s the date when you finished the minimum level of education needed for the occupation according to the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code. If the NOC only states high school, it’s the date you graduated from high school.

How do I fill out my Express Entry profile when I have maintained my status?

“Maintained status” means you can stay in Canada and, if eligible, keep working while we make a decision on your application.

1. If you’re in Canada with maintained status and are still authorized to work at the time you complete your Express Entry profile:
   • Answer “yes” to the question “Does [your name] have a valid work permit for the current job in Canada?”
2. If you’re in Canada with maintained status, you’re still authorized to work, and the original work permit was supported by a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA):
   • Answer “yes” to the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the current work permit?”
   • Where it asks for the LMIA number, enter the number of the expired LMIA.

If (2) is true, for the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada?”

answer “no” if:

• you’re still working for the employer named on the original work permit, and
• you have a job offer from your current employer for at least 1 year

answer “yes” if:

• you’re working for a different employer than the one named on the original work permit
• you have a job offer from your new employer for at least 1 year and
• your new employer has a positive LMIA

How do I get education points for Express Entry if I have 2 or more degrees or diplomas?

To get full points for having more than 1 credential:

• at least 1 of the credentials must be for a program of 3 or more years in length
• you need a valid educational credential assessment (ECA) for each credential

Note: The order that you complete your credentials in does not affect points.

Fill in all fields in the Education history section in your profile. When you’re done, click Save and add. After you do:

• the details you entered about your study period will be saved to the table below the Save and add button
• the fields will go blank and you can add another study period
• make sure to add all study periods you want us to assess for points
  • Each educational credential needs its own row in the Education history table.

If my Express Entry profile expires, will the system keep my information?

No, the system will not keep your information. We had planned to allow the system to save profile information, so it would be easier to complete a new profile when the first one expired. We have found that this option is not possible at this time. Should the option become available in the future, we will update this information online.

If your profile is about to expire, you must complete and submit a new one if you want to stay in the Express Entry pool.

You can save screen shots of your profile to make it easier to re-enter your data.

Do not create a new profile until your existing one expires. If you decide to create and submit a new profile before your existing one expires, you will need to withdraw your existing profile first.

Find more information.

Can I be eligible for more than one program under Express Entry?

Yes. Depending on the information in your profile, you may be eligible for more than one program through Express Entry.

In that case, you will be invited to apply for one program based on this order:

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC),
• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), then
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

For example:

• If you met the criteria for all three programs, the system would send you an invitation to apply for the CEC.
• If you met the criteria for CEC and FSWP, you would also get an invitation to apply under the CEC.
• If you met the criteria for FSWP and FSTP, you would get an invitation to apply under FSWP.

You can’t choose which program you are invited to apply for. The system will sort profiles based on the information you enter.

If you decline the invitation, the system will not re-invite you under the next program. You will go back in the pool, and if we invite you again, the same order will apply.

Can I be invited to apply if I've lost my username or password?

Yes. If you’re invited to apply, you’ll get an email at the address you provided. The email will say that you have a new message in your account.

To accept or decline your invitation, you need to sign in to your account.

If you’ve forgotten your password or username, follow these instructions.

If you need to create a new account, you’ll need to link your application to your new account. You may need your profile or application number to do this. You can find this number at the end of the subject line of an email we’ve sent you (example: W300027607).

After you change your password or link your application, follow these steps:

1. Go back to the main page in your account.
2. Scroll down to the table under the heading “Continue an application you haven’t submitted.”
3. Find the application called
   • “Work permit” for International Experience Canada, or
   • “Permanent residence” for Express Entry.
4. To accept your invitation to apply, click “Start application.”

If there’s no application, you can check the status and messages for your profile under the heading “View the applications you submitted.”

There is no National Occupation Classification (NOC) code on my work permit. What should I put in my Express Entry profile?

If there is no National Occupational Classification (NOC) code on your work permit, you should find and use the NOC code of the job you are currently doing in Canada.

Find the NOC code and title for your job.

Can I count student work experience toward the Express Entry work requirement?

It depends on where you were working and studying.

To be eligible for Express Entry, you must meet the minimum requirements for 1 or more Express Entry programs. This includes the work experience requirement.

Using student work experience for minimum requirements

Federal Skilled Worker Program

Student work experience gained while you were studying in Canada or abroad counts towards the minimum requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker Program if the work:

• was paid by wages or commissions
• was continuous (no gaps in employment), and
• meets all the other requirements of the Program

This includes co-op terms and apprenticeships.

Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades Program

Student work experience doesn’t count towards the minimum requirements for the Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades Program.

How student work experience affects your profile ranking

Canadian work experience gained while you were a full-time student doesn’t count towards the score used to rank your profile.

The work experience gained as a full-time student outside Canada counts towards the score used to rank your profile.

I have been working in Canada for the last 6 months but didn’t get points for work experience. Why not?

Under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to be awarded points for skilled work experience, you must have been:

• legally allowed to work in Canada in one or more jobs listed in TEER category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification
• working full-time (or an equal amount of part-time) work, meaning 30 hours of work per week, and
• working for at least 1 year in the 10-year period before the day we assign you points.

We do not count work experience if you were:

• studying full-time while you were working,
• self-employed, or
• not legally allowed to work in Canada.

Please note: Work experience does not need to be continuous to get points under the CRS. But, to qualify under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you must have at least one year of continuous full-time paid work experience, either in Canada or abroad.

What if I am invited to apply for Express Entry while waiting for a new work permit?

If you applied for a new work permit before your old one expired, you are under “implied status” until we make a decision on your application.

Job offer information from your current employer in your Express Entry profile will carry forward to your application if we invite you to apply for permanent residence while under implied status.

If you are not sure you answered correctly:

1. go to the “work history” screen, under the “Intended work in Canada” section
2. scroll down to the section about Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA)
3. if your employer had an LMIA for your work permit, make sure you answered “yes” to the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada?”
4. under “LMIA number,” enter the number from the expired LMIA
5. if your work permit is LMIA-exempt, for the question “Was a positive LMIA issued for the job offer in Canada?” choose the correct answer from the “No – My work permit is exempt…” options.

To prove that you are under implied status, include a copy of your new LMIA (if this applies) and work permit applications when you apply. When you get to the document checklist, select “add letter of explanation” to upload it into the “Optional documents” section.

As long as you still have implied status at the time you apply, you do not need to wait for your new work permit to be approved.

If we issue you a new work permit before you submit your application, you need to update this information before you submit it.

If we refuse you a new work permit before you submit your application, you may want to decline the invitation to apply, since the information in your profile is no longer up to date. You will be put back in the pool, and should update your profile to show the change in your work status.

I was invited to apply through Express Entry but my work permit expired. What do I do?

If you didn’t apply for a new work permit before your original one expired, it may cause your score to drop. This could cause you to not be eligible anymore.

If your score has dropped below the minimum cut-off for your round of invitations, you should decline the invitation. If you submit your application anyway, we’ll refuse it.

If we refuse your application, we won’t refund your fees.

If you decline, you’ll be put back in the pool. You should update your Express Entry profile to show the change in your work status.

You may be able to restore your status and get a work permit. If your status is restored and you still have an eligible Express Entry profile, you may be invited to apply for permanent residence again in the future.

I didn’t get a Job Seeker Validation Code in the message you sent to my account. Why not?

If you got an Express Entry profile number but not a Job Seeker Validation Code you should contact us using the Case Specific Enquiry form.

1. Select your problem.
2. Under Tell us about yourself:
   • If you don’t have a unique client identifier number, enter 1111111111.
   • If you haven’t submitted an application yet, and don’t have an application number, enter 0000000.
3. Under Tell us about your technical issue:
   • Specify the program you’re trying to apply under.
   • Explain any problems that you’re having.
   • Upload screenshots from your account that show us both
     • the page and fields where you’re having problems, and
     • any error messages you’re getting.

To be eligible for Express Entry, you need to meet the minimum requirements and complete a profile.

What is a personal document checklist?

A personal document checklist is a list of forms and documents you need to complete and send in with an application when you apply through your IRCC secure account or send a paper application.

• If you’re applying for a visitor visa, study or work permit, this checklist is based on the answers you gave in the online immigration eligibility questionnaire.
• If you’re applying for permanent residence online, the checklist is based on the answers you gave while completing your application.

Make sure to upload all the supporting documents listed on the checklist that you need to include when you submit an application through your IRCC secure account.

What is a personal reference code?

A personal reference code is a unique code you get when you use the Come to Canada online eligibility tool.

You can use this code only in the IRCC secure account to:

• start an online application for a visitor visa, study permit or work permit
• carry your information from the Come to Canada tool to an Express Entry or International Experience Canada profile

You can find your personal reference code at the top of your results page after you answer all the questions in the tool.

Write the code down and print a copy of your results and checklist for your records.

Your code will expire 60 days after you get it.

How do I upload more supporting documents after I have already submitted my online application for permanent residence through Express Entry?

Once you submit your online application for permanent residence, you can’t send more documents through your account unless we ask for them.

If we ask for a document, you’ll get a message in your account.

To upload a document:

1. Sign in to your account.
2. Under “View the applications you submitted” click on “Check full application status.”
3. Under “Details about your application status” click on “View submitted application.”
4. On this page, you can upload the additional document the same way you uploaded the others when you first applied.

If you need to send documents that we didn’t ask for (for example, an updated Travel History form), go to our Web form and follow the instructions.

The employer I work for temporarily in Canada wants to offer me a full-time job. Will I need a new LMIA for Express Entry?

In most cases, your current employer does not need to re-apply if they already got a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire you.

For example, they do not need to re-apply if:

• your work permit is still valid
• you still work for the same employer (in a skilled job) as listed on your work permit
• you work in a job listed as TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3 in the 2021 National Occupational Classification, and
• that employer already got an LMIA to hire you before.

If you are working in Canada on a work permit that does not need an LMIA, your employer doesn’t need to get one to make your job offer valid.

When you create your Express Entry profile, you can show that you have a job offer. If we invite you to apply, you will need to submit a copy of the documents with your application.

But, if you plan to work for a different employer and need a valid job offer for the Federal Skilled Worker or the Federal Skilled Trades programs, your new employer will usually need to apply for a new LMIA (unless the job is exempt).

You must complete an Express Entry profile as the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker.

I am working in Canada on a post-graduation work permit. Do I need a Labour Market Impact Assessment?

Not necessarily.

If you are working in Canada on a post-graduation work permit, and have a valid job offer, your current employer will need to get an LMIA if:

• you need one to meet the program requirements for the FSWP or the FSTP and
• your job is not exempt.

If a job is exempt, it means your employer does not need an LMIA to support your job offer.

If you are invited under the Canadian Experience Class, you don’t need an LMIA to meet the program requirements.

You must complete an Express Entry profile as the first step to immigrate to Canada permanently as a skilled worker.

Can I re-use my Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to submit my Express Entry profile?

Yes, provided that it is still valid and that it’s an ECA for immigration purposes.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept ECA reports for five years from the date they are issued.

When creating your Express Entry profile, in your educational history you will be asked to include certain details from your ECA report. Keep your ECA report in a safe and accessible place as you may be requested to submit it if you are invited to apply.

Do I need a language test to immigrate to Canada?

Many economic immigration programs require a language test to qualify. You’ll need to:

• schedule your test with an approved agency
• pay the test costs

What to include in your application

If you’re applying for Express Entry, you’ll enter your test scores directly into your profile.

If you’re applying any of the other programs above, include a copy of the test results with your application.

These results must be less than 2 years old when you apply. Keep a copy of them for your records and future use.

Language tests we accept

You can take any of these approved language tests:

English

• CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
  • You need to take the CELPIP – General test.
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System
  • You need to take the IELTS General Training test.
• PTE Core

French

• TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
• TCF Canada : Test de connaissance du français

Does an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) mean that I can be licensed in a regulated profession?

No. Getting an ECA to meet the requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program does not mean that your work experience and professional credentials are automatically recognized in Canada. You must still go through the process of getting your license.

Each province or territory in Canada has the power to regulate and license professions. Licensing is generally done through provincial or territorial regulatory bodies.

If you plan to work in a regulated profession, you should contact the regulatory authority in the province where you plan to work to find out more about how to get a license.

Can I complete an Express Entry profile before I have a year of work experience?

No, you should not complete an Express Entry profile in this case. If you do not have a full year of experience, the system will not find you eligible.

To meet the minimum criteria for the Express Entry pool, you must be eligible for at least one of the programs under Express Entry.

Can I renew my post-graduation work permit?

No. Post-graduation work permits (PGWP) are a one-time opportunity for international students. Those students must have graduated from a PGWP-eligible program at a designated learning institution.

If you had to renew your passport

You can extend your PGWP with your new passport only if

• you were eligible for a PGWP but
• you didn’t get the full length because your passport was going to expire

Include this information in a letter of explanation when you apply to extend your PGWP.

If you’re an Express Entry applicant

You may be able to apply for a bridging open work permit if

• you’re waiting for a decision on a permanent residence application under Express Entry
• your current work permit expires in 4 months or less
• you have valid status on your work permit
• you’re currently in Canada

Can I still be eligible for Canadian Experience Class if I have returned to my country?

Yes, you can be eligible for the Canadian Experience Class so long as you meet the requirements under the class. This includes having gained at least 12 months of full-time (or an equal amount of part-time) work experience in Canada

• in the 3 years before you’re invited to apply
• in a job listed as Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities category 0, 1, 2 or 3 of the National Occupational Classification

I graduated a while ago, then earned one-year of work experience and now I am back in school. Can I apply for permanent residence under the Canadian Experience Class?

Yes, as long as you gained skilled work experience of at least one year in an occupation listed under the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) as TEER Category 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Your work experience must have been gained in Canada within the three years before we receive your Canadian Experience Class application. Work experience gained while studying full time on a student permit (for example, experience gained while on co-op) does not count.

Can I count experience I got in Canada while waiting for a decision on my refugee application?

No. Under the Canadian Experience Class, you must have had temporary resident status and the proper work or study authorization when you gained the Canadian work experience or educational credential you are claiming.

Refugee claimants who have authorization to work or study while waiting for a decision on their claim do not have temporary resident status and cannot apply under this category.

While working under a post-graduate work permit to get experience to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, can I switch employers?

Yes. The post-graduation work permit is an “open” work permit, meaning that you can work for any Canadian employer unless there are restrictions listed on the work permit.  Keep in mind that skilled work experience is needed to qualify for the Canadian Experience Class. Skilled work experience means working in an occupation that is listed under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) at TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3.

More information on 2021 NOC codes is available on Employment and Social Development Canada’s website.

How can I qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program if the province or territory where I plan to live and work does not give Certificates of Qualification in my trade?

In that case, to qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program you must have a qualifying job offer in your trade from a Canadian employer.

If I come to Canada under the Federal Skilled Trades Program, will I be qualified to work in any province or territory?

Not necessarily. Standards and conditions of training for specific trades vary depending on the province or territory. (for example, ways to register apprentices, training curriculum, how to get accredited/certified/licensed)

It is up to you and your employer to make sure you have the documents needed to practice in the province or territory where you will work.

When we assess your application, we may check that you meet the requirements to be certified, licensed or registered to work in a regulated occupation in Canada.

If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer but do not meet the requirements, we must be satisfied that you are capable of doing the job you were offered and that you are likely to qualify to be licensed or certified when in Canada.

Note: Even if you get certified in one province or territory, you may not be able to practise in another. After you immigrate, if you want to work in a different province or territory, check the requirements of the regulatory body that governs trades for that province or territory.

When I try to submit my Express Entry profile or my application, I get an error. What can I do?

We changed some questions in the education history section in both the online profile and application for Express Entry. Because of this, some people are getting errors when they try to move on to the next step.

To fix it:

1. In your profile, go to the Study and languages section of the form. Open the Education history sub-section. Scroll to the bottom and click Modify.

   

2. You will see the information you already entered. To make sure you filled all the fields, click Check for Completeness at the top of the form.

   

3. If there is a field you need to correct, you will see a red error message at the top. The question text will also be in red. Fill in the field(s) and click Save and exit.

   

   Questions you need to answer are in red

   
4. Repeat these steps for each entry in the section.

If you have been invited to apply, you also need to validate the Personal activities section:

1. Go to the Personal history section of the web form.
2. Open the Personal activities sub-section and scroll down to the grid of saved entries.
3. Click Modify and repeat the steps above for each entry.

Can I ask to only be considered for one of the programs under Express Entry?

No. Under Express Entry, the system will find which programs you qualify for based on the answers you give in your profile. If you qualify for more than one program, we will decide which one to issue the invitation to apply under.

You can choose to decline an invitation to apply if it is not under the program you were interested in. But, if you do this, there is no guarantee that you will be invited again under a different program.

I am in the Express Entry pool. How do I find out what programs I am eligible for?

Find out which programs you’re eligible for by using these steps:

1. Sign in to your account.
2. Go to the section “View the applications you submitted.”
3. Click on “Check full application status.”
4. Scroll down to the section called “What am I eligible for?”
5. The programs are listed in the table. Beside each one, under Details, it will say “met’ or “not met.”
6. If it says “met,” that means you’re eligible for that program.

You may be eligible for more than one program. Find out more about eligibility.

I’m in the Express Entry pool. How can I look for a job in Canada?

To start your job search, you can

• create a Job Match account with Canada’s Job Bank
• promote yourself to employers in Canada using private sector job boards

You can use both while you are in the Express Entry pool. Once you come to Canada, you can keep using these services if you still need to find a job.

Job Bank

A Job Match account with Job Bank is an easy, online tool to help match you with employers looking for workers with your skills. To do so:

• go to the Job Match sign-in page
• click the “Sign up now!” button
• read the privacy notice and click “I agree” if you agree
• follow the instructions to create an account

You will need your Express Entry profile number and job seeker validation code to create a Job Match account.

Job boards

Private-sector job boards are online services that advertise jobs and give you tools for finding work. Some are free and others cost a small fee. Research to find one that suits you.

What’s an occupation-restricted open work permit?

An occupation-restricted open work permit lets you work for any employer, but only in the occupation listed on the work permit.

For example, in the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilots, you must work outside Quebec in 1 of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) jobs:

• Home child care provider - NOC 44100 (experience as a foster parent doesn’t count), or
• Home support worker - NOC 44101

If you have this type of work permit, your employer doesn’t need a Labour Market Impact Assessment to hire you.

You can change employers without getting a new work permit, as long as your new job is in the same occupation and you continue to meet any other conditions on your work permit.

Can I apply to extend my work permit under the caregiver pilots?

You can only apply to extend your work permit under the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilots if:

• your work permit was issued for less than 36 months because your passport was expiring, and
• you now have a new passport

In this case, you may be able to apply to extend your work permit up to a total of 36 months from the date it was issued.

For example, if we issued you a work permit that’s valid for 24 months, you may be able to extend it for another 12 months.

To avoid having to do this, make sure your passport or travel document is valid for at least 36 months before you apply.

When do I need to take a medical exam for the caregiver pilots?

Under the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilots, you probably have to take 2 separate medical exams during the process. In both cases, we send you instructions on when and how to get your medical exam done.

Do not go for your medical exam unless we tell you to.

First medical exam

As a caregiver, you work in close contact with children, disabled people or the elderly, so you need to take a medical exam before you can come to Canada to work.

Second medical exam

Once you have 12 months of work experience in Canada, and submit proof of your work experience, you may be asked to take another medical exam to make sure you’re still admissible to Canada.

Family members

Your family members must take and pass a medical exam even if they’re not coming with you to Canada. If they don’t, they won’t be eligible to be sponsored in the future. We contact them directly with instructions on how to get their medical exams.

If your family members are already Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they don’t need to take a medical exam.

I already took a medical exam when I applied for the caregiver pilots. Why am I being asked to take another one?

Medical exams are valid for 12 months from the date of the exam. If you already took a medical exam but it expired, you and your family members will have to take another one to make sure you’re still admissible to Canada.

Learn more about medical exams for the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots.

Can I use work experience from more than 1 employer to apply to the caregiver pilots?

Yes. You can use work experience from more than 1 employer to apply for the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilots as long as that work experience is in the same eligible occupation.

You can’t combine work experience from 2 different occupations.

Depending on which pilot you apply for, your work experience must be in 1 of these National Occupational Classification (NOC) jobs:

• Home child care provider - NOC 44100 (experience as a foster parent doesn’t count)
• Home support worker - NOC 44101

For example, if you worked full-time as a home child care provider for 2 different employers, you can use that work experience towards your eligibility.

However, if you worked full-time as a home child care provider for 1 employer and as a home support worker for another employer, you can’t combine that work experience.

I worked in Canada illegally. Can I use that experience to meet the work requirement of the caregiver pilots?

No. For your work experience to count for the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilots, you must have gotten it while working in Canada legally with a work permit. If you’ve ever worked in Canada illegally, your application may be refused.

I worked in Quebec as a home child care provider or home support worker. Can that work experience count for the caregiver pilots?

Yes. If you’ve worked in Quebec in 1 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) jobs below, you can use that experience to meet the work experience requirement:

• Home child care provider - NOC 44100 (experience as a foster parent doesn’t count), or
• Home support worker - NOC 44101

If you’re applying to the Home Child Care Provider Pilot or the Home Support Worker Pilot in the Gaining experience category (less than 12 months of qualifying work experience), you need to have a valid and genuine job offer for a job outside of Quebec.

All 12 months of work experience must be gained in the 36-month period before you

• apply for permanent residence (Direct to permanent residence category) or
• send us proof of your work experience (Gaining experience category).

Living in Canada as a permanent resident

Under these pilots, you must plan to live outside the province of Quebec as a permanent resident. You may want to include supporting documents with your permanent resident application to prove that you’re living or will live outside Quebec.

Is there a limit on the number of caregiver applications you accept under the pilots?

Yes. We only process up to 5,500 applications each year under the caregiver pilots:

• 2,750 applications for the Home Child Care Provider Pilot
• 2,750 applications for the Home Support Worker Pilot

If your application is incomplete or we receive it after the limit has been reached, we return it to you along with your processing fees.

What can I do if the yearly limit on applications for the caregiver pilots has been reached before I apply?

You can either wait until the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilots re-open the next year or find out if you’re eligible for another immigration program.

I applied as a caregiver, but haven’t received a confirmation letter. What should I do?

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused service issues for our offices. The office that processes caregiver applications has been seriously affected.

If you applied for permanent residence as a caregiver in 2020, we may not have sent you a confirmation letter ("acknowledgement of receipt”) yet. We are working to send confirmation letters to applicants but it may take longer due to the challenges the pandemic has caused.

If you applied in 2019 and you did not receive a confirmation from us, you may contact us to verify if we received your application. If you applied in 2020, we will not be able to answer, so please wait.

I have a new employer. How do I give you my new job offer form?

You may send us your new offer of employment form online if

• we already sent you a confirmation letter (“acknowledgement of receipt”) for your Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker permanent residence application, and
• we haven’t issued your occupation-restricted open work permit yet

You can also send supporting documents, if you need to.  

If you didn’t get the letter yet, wait until you do. It will include your application number. Once you have it, send us the new job offer form as soon as you can.

I’m not sure if my Home Child Care Provider Pilot application made it under the cap. Should I reapply?

Unless you get a letter from us saying we rejected or refused your application, you don’t need to apply again the next year.

I applied for a new work permit with my caregiver application. Do I need to renew my current work permit?

If you had a valid work permit when you applied for permanent residence (PR) in one of the caregiver pilots, you may have maintained status. This applies to the Home Child Care Provider and Home Support Worker Pilots.

You have maintained status if you

• applied for a work permit with your PR application before your initial work permit expired
• stay in Canada until we make a decision on the new work permit application

You don’t need to renew your current work permit if you keep working for the same employer and in the same job. But you may want to renew your current work permit separately from your PR application if you can.

If we refuse your PR application, reject it for being incomplete, or return it for being over that year’s cap, we’ll return the related work permit application as well.

If this happens

• you’ll lose your maintained status
• if you’re not eligible to restore your status, you’d have to leave Canada

Find out more about how to extend or change the conditions on your work permit. We’ve also put a public policy in place to help you change jobs or employers.

Are there other work permit options I can consider while I wait for my permanent resident application to be processed?

If you already applied for a work permit under the Home Child Care Provider or Home Support Worker Pilots, it will take a while to process your application.

You may also want to apply separately for a work permit or extend your current one under the

• Temporary Foreign Worker Program or
• International Mobility Program

Find out how to renew your work permit or status as a foreign worker.

If you have an employer-specific work permit and you want to change jobs or employers, you

• must apply for a new work permit from inside Canada
• don’t need to wait until we approve the application to start your new job or work for a new employer
• just need an email from us that says you have permission to change jobs

Find out more about changing jobs or employers.

My status as a worker has expired and I forgot to renew it. What should I do?

Find out what to do if your work permit has expired.