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Express Entry

Express Entry is a popular online immigperson holding maple leafration system in Canada that manages applications for permanent residency under the Federal Economic programs, including the 

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program, 
  • the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and 
  • the Canadian Experience Class. 

The system was launched in January 2015, and it allows eligible skilled foreign workers to apply for permanent residency based on their skills, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors that are considered important for the Canadian labor market.

As an immigration consultant, it is essential to understand the details of the Express Entry system to help your clients navigate through the process and increase their chances of being selected for permanent residency. Here are some of the critical aspects of the Express Entry system that you should know:

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system, an applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • They must have at least one year of skilled work experience in National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories:
    • TEER 0
    • TEER 1
    • TEER 2
    • TEER 3
  • They must meet the language proficiency requirements in either English or French, as determined by standardized language tests.
  • They must have completed a post-secondary education program of at least one year or have an equivalent foreign credential assessed by a designated organization.
  • They must meet the minimum requirements for skilled work experience, language proficiency, education, and other factors under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class.

Express Entry Profile:

To apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry system, an applicant must create an Express Entry profile and provide information about their skills, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors. Based on this information, they will be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which determines their rank in the Express Entry pool.

The CRS score is calculated based on the following factors:Canada passport

  • Core human capital factors, such as age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
  • Spouse or common-law partner factors, such as their language proficiency and education.
  • Skill transferability factors, such as education and work experience in Canada or a foreign country.
  • Additional points, such as a provincial nomination, a valid job offer, or Canadian education or work experience.

Express Entry Draws:

The Canadian government conducts regular Express Entry draws, typically every two weeks, to invite the highest-ranked applicants in the Express Entry pool to apply for permanent residency. The government sets a minimum CRS score for each draw, and all applicants who meet or exceed the minimum score are invited to apply.

Once an applicant receives an invitation to apply (ITA), they have 90 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency, including all the necessary documents and fees. The government aims to process complete applications within six months.

Provincial Nomination Programs:

Some Canadian provinces and territories have their own immigration programs that allow them to nominate eligible foreign workers for permanent residency. These programs are called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), and they are linked to the Express Entry system.

If an applicant receives a nomination from a province or territory, they will receive an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly increases their chances of being selected in an Express Entry draw.

The Express Entry system is a competitive immigration system that requires eligible foreign workers to demonstrate their skills, education, language proficiency, and other factors that are important for the Canadian labor market.  If you are interested in migrating to Canada, Express Entry could be your pathway to Canada. If you do not make the cut in the competetive Express Entry program, there are other immigration pathways that might me more suitable for you. If you need help with migrating to Canada, feel free to contact us and we will assess your profile and help you with your application through the most suitable pathway where you have a chance of migrating to Canada.