EXPRESS ENTRY
Express Entry serves as Canada’s application management system for economic immigration. It utilizes a ranking system to allocate candidates up to 1200 points, aiming to identify individuals with the highest likelihood of success in Canada. Following this ranking, top candidates in the Express Entry pool receive an “Invitation to Apply,” allowing them 60 days to finalize their Permanent Residence application for Canada.
Express Entry handles the processing of the following immigration programs:
FEDERAL SKILLED TRADE
For candidates who have a job offer (with LMIA), 2 years of work experience in a trade, moderate fluency in English.
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER
For candidates who are fluent in English, have a post secondary degree and job experience in a profession.
CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS
For candidates who have at least 1 year Canadian Job Experience in a profession or trade.
PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
For candidates who have PNP sponsorship from a province. There are many programs candidates can apply under this category.
Qualifying and Applying through Express Entry
Eligibility Criteria: To be considered for Express Entry, candidates must qualify under one of Canada’s three economic immigration streams:
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): Candidates are assessed using the Comprehensive Ranking System, where points are awarded based on various factors:
- 500 Points: Core Human Capital Factors, encompassing age, education, language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
- 100 Points: Skill Transferability, evaluating foreign qualifications, work experience, education, and language proficiency.
- 600 Points: Provincial Nomination certificate.
- 50-200 Points: For arranged Employment.
Application Procedure: Embarking on the Express Entry journey involves the following steps:
- Profile Creation: Initiate the process by creating an online candidate profile, which remains active for up to one year. Keep the profile updated with any changes in ranking factors during this duration.
- Registration with Canada Job Bank: If lacking a qualifying job offer, registering with the Canada Job Bank is essential. Actively promoting oneself to prospective employers can significantly enhance the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- Express Entry Draws: Express Entry Draws are conducted periodically, selecting candidates from the pool. If chosen, you’ll receive an ITA for Permanent Residence, with 60 days allotted to submit all necessary documentation.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Evaluation: Candidates are evaluated based on:
- Core Human Factors
- Accompanying spouse or common-law partner factors
- Skill Transferability factors
- Factors related to provincial nomination or arranged employment.
Post-Selection Procedure: Upon successful selection, candidates and their dependents can commence the journey to Canada as Permanent Residents, paving the path toward Canadian citizenship.
Remaining in the Pool: Candidates not selected within 12 months remain in the pool. They have the option to create a new profile if not chosen within this period.
For more details on the ranking system, refer to the IRCC Comprehensive Ranking System page.
Need Help?
To find out if you are eligible to apply for Express Entry, Contact us today or Get Assessed by one of our Canadian Immigration Lawyers.
Federal Skilled Worker and Skilled Trade Programs: Gateways to Canadian Immigration
Federal Skilled Worker Program:
The Federal Skilled Worker Program offers a pathway to Canadian immigration for individuals with a high level of education and/or significant work experience that can be readily transferred to the Canadian labor market. To qualify, applicants must meet specific criteria and obtain a minimum of 67 points through a point system evaluation. Points are allocated across six key factors:
- Education (maximum 25 points): Assessed based on the highest level of education attained and the total number of years of education.
- Language Ability (maximum 24+4 points): Evaluates the applicant’s proficiency in English or French, including speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Proficiency in a second official language earns additional points.
- Work Experience (maximum 15 points): Considers the number of years of full-time or equivalent paid work experience in a high-skilled position.
- Age (maximum 12 points): Points awarded based on the current age of the applicant, with higher points for individuals between 21 and 49 years old.
- Arranged Employment in Canada (maximum 10 points): Recognizes either a permanent job offer in Canada for which the applicant is qualified or current employment in Canada with a valid work permit.
- Adaptability (maximum 10 points): Applicants may earn points for factors demonstrating their ability, or that of their family members, to adapt easily to life in Canada.
Federal Skilled Trade Program:
The Federal Skilled Trade Program caters to skilled tradespeople seeking immigration to Canada. To qualify, applicants must have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years and meet specific language requirements. Similar to the Federal Skilled Worker Program, candidates must meet a minimum point requirement to participate in Express Entry.
Applying Through Express Entry:
Both the Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trade Programs are managed through the Express Entry system. Candidates must first qualify for one of these programs, along with the Canadian Experience Class, to create a candidate profile and undergo point system evaluation. The points required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program serve as a minimum eligibility requirement to participate in Express Entry.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore these pathways and make their application with our expert help and guidance using the Express Entry immigration system for a streamlined process.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): A Swift Path to Canadian Permanent Residence
Introduction:
The Canadian Experience Class, a vital component of Canada’s Economic Class immigration, is efficiently managed through the Express Entry program. With approximate processing times of 6 months upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), this program offers a streamlined route for individuals with Canadian work experience to establish themselves permanently in the country.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for the Canadian Experience Class, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Work Experience: Possess at least one year of full-time skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 36 months preceding the application date. Self-employment or work experience gained while being a full-time student is not considered.
Job Experience Categories: The work experience must fall under Managerial jobs (NOC skill level 0), Professional jobs (NOC skill type A), or Technical jobs and skilled trades (NOC skill type B).
Language Proficiency: Meet the minimum language score of CLB 5 or CLB 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark, depending on the level of the job.
Residence Plan: Plan to reside and work outside the province of Quebec, unless the applicant has work experience in Quebec and intends to settle in the province, in which case they may apply to the Quebec Experience Class.
Final Steps towards Permanent Residence:
Upon selection from the Express Entry Pool and receipt of an Invitation to Apply (ITA), candidates and their dependents must undergo medical examinations and obtain security clearances as part of the Canadian immigration application process. This marks the final stage before achieving Permanent Residence status in Canada.
Valid Option for International Students:
The Canadian Experience Class presents an excellent opportunity for international students with Canadian work experience to swiftly obtain permanent residence. After completing a program or course of study at a Canadian educational institution, international graduates can remain in the country and work on post-graduate work permits. Once they accrue at least one year of Canadian work experience in a skilled, professional, or technical field, they become eligible to apply under the Canadian Experience Class.