How Express Entry Works: Immigrate to Canada

How Express Entry Works: Immigrate to Canada

The Canadian express entry program is among the most straightforward in the world. Its simplicity and transparency make it highly sought after by many skilled individuals looking to immigrate from their home country. The quickness of the whole process is also another attractive factor.

This article covers an exciting topic termed; How express entry works; Immigrate to Canada. In this article, we will discuss how the express entry works and how you can become eligible for it.

The Canadian Express Entry Program

The Canada Express Entry Program is a points-based immigration program for professionals looking to settle in Canada.

It awards points to professionals based on skills, experience, Canadian employment status, and provincial/territorial nomination.

The higher your points, the greater your chances of receiving an invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Permanent Residency in Canada.

Typically PR applications submitted through this route are processed in 6-12 months or fewer.

The Express Entry program has streamlined immigration for professionals and made the process more transparent. Key details of the program are:

  • This is an online program that has no cap on applicants and is open throughout the year
  • The program applies only to Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and
  • Canadian Experience Class Immigration Program.
  • You must submit an Expression of Interest and apply as an applicant for any job mentioned in Skill Types 0, A, and B
  • Your profile will be evaluated based on points and placed in the applicant pool.
  • Canadian provinces and employers will access this pool and find talent to meet their needs.
  • The highest points holders are sent an Invitation to Apply for PR
  • The number of ITAs issued is based on the Annual Immigration

Five Basic Steps to Apply for Permanent Residency through Express Entry

Below outlined are the five-step process for applying for permanent residency in Canada through the express entry.

Check For Eligibility

To apply through Express Entry, you must be eligible for one of the three economic immigration streams:

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program

This program is for applicants with significant foreign work experience and a high level of education who want to immigrate to Canada permanently.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

This program is for skilled tradespeople who want to immigrate to Canada.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This program is for foreign nationals who have been working in Canada for at least one year to apply for Permanent Residence (PR).

Create an IRCC Account and an Express Entry Profile

If you qualify for one of the Express Entry programs, you will first need to create an account on the IRCC website and submit your profile to enter the Express Entry pool of candidates formally.

During this step, you won’t need to upload any documents. However, based on the information you enter on your profile, once you are selected and invited to apply for PR, you will need to upload copies of relevant documents to support your application.

What Do You Need to Create an Express Entry Profile

Below outlined are what you need to create an express entry profile.

Occupation

Your National Occupational Classification (NOC) number. It is a system that the Canadian government uses to classify various jobs and professions, which are grouped based on categories and skill levels.

Education

Your education credential assessment (ECA) report. An ECA verifies that your foreign degree or certificate is valid and the same as a Canadian one.

There are different types of ECAs. An ECA for immigration purposes is needed. If you have a different kind of ECA, you may be able to get it reissued, depending on the type of ECA or issuing organization.

Your ECA report and the reference number in your Express Entry profile must be included.

Language Skills

Results from an approved language test. Canada has two official languages — English and French. Therefore, you can provide language test results from these two languages.

Each of these tests evaluates your language skills on four parameters: speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS)

Canada uses a point-based system (considering factors such as skills, education, language ability, work experience, etc.) to rank and evaluate individual immigration applications.

The CRS tool is very intuitive; upon answering a few questions, it generates your score. This score can check if you rank above the minimum required points from the most recent round of invitations.

Candidates for Express Entry are awarded up to 1200 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), meant to identify candidates who are most likely to succeed in Canada.

Submit Your Profile

Your Express Entry profile enables you to enter the pool of potential candidates for immigration.

Once you fill out your profile and submit it online, you’ll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using a points-based system — the CRS. This score is based on the information in your profile.

Submitting an Express Entry profile is not the same as submitting a PR application. Everyone intending to immigrate submits a profile, but only the high-ranked candidates are invited to apply for PR.

Profiles may remain in the candidate pool for up to one year. If during this time, any of your ranking factors change, you must ensure you update your profile in the candidate pool.

Those who do not hold a qualifying job offer can register with Canada Job Bank. Candidates are encouraged to promote themselves to prospective employers to increase their chances of being invited to apply.

This is not mandatory but may be an excellent way to connect with employers.

Receive an Invitation and Apply for PR

Draws from the candidate pool occur every few weeks. Candidates ranked highest in the Express Entry pool receive an Invitation to Apply, after which they have 60 days to complete an application for PR in Canada.

Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application, as deadlines cannot be extended.

Once you are invited to apply, you will need to submit supporting documents. Some of them are Passport or travel document, Language test results, ECA report, Work experience certificates, Police certificates, medical exams, and proof of funds.

Conclusion

The Canadian express entry program was designed to cater to a specific group of people.

People who can add value to the Canadian economy. This article greatly covers in detail how the express entry works; Immigrate to Canada.