By: Akshar Mistry on April 29th, 2023

Fast-Track Your Immigration to Canada: Understanding the Canada’s Express Entry System

When we think of Canada, we think of its welcoming and diverse culture, strong economy, clean environment and high quality of life, making it a popular destination for people around the world. If you are considering immigrating to Canada and want to fast-track your entry into this beautiful country, then the Canada Express Entry program might be your best bet.

This program is designed to attract skilled workers to Canada and streamline the immigration process, making it easier for eligible candidates to obtain permanent residency. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the Canada Express Entry program, from eligibility requirements to how the system works, to help you take the first step towards making Canada your new home.

What is Canada Express Entry?

Canadian government uses Canada Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. The system/program is designed to select skilled workers based on their ability to contribute to the Canadian economy. It is a points-based system that evaluates candidates based on various criteria, such as education, work experience, language proficiency, and age. The program is managed by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department.

The program is divided into three main streams, which are:

  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):

    Individuals with skilled work experience in one of the NOC skill levels TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 under NOC 2021 or NOC 0, A, or B under NOC 2016. It is the most popular Express Entry stream among skilled workers outside Canada.

  • Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

    This stream is for individuals with work experience in Canada, who have gained their work experience while holding a valid work permit (in the case of international students, post-graduation work permit) or while holding a valid work authorization.

  • Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):

    For individuals that have work experience in skilled trades occupations, as defined by the NOC.

How does Canada Express Entry Work?

The Canada Express Entry system uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to evaluate and rank candidates who want to apply for permanent residency in Canada. The CRS is a tool the Canadian government uses to assess and rank candidates based on various factors identified as important for economic success in Canada. These factors include:

  • Age: Candidates between the ages of 20 and 29 receive the highest number of points, with points decreasing as the age range increases.
  • Education: Candidates with higher levels of education, such as a master’s or doctoral degree, receive more points than those with lower levels of education.
  • Work Experience: Candidates with more years of work experience in their chosen field receive more points than those with less experience.
  • Language Proficiency: Candidates who demonstrate proficiency in English and/or French through approved language tests such as IELTS-General or CELPIP-General for English and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French receive more points.
  • Job Offers: Candidates with a job offer from a Canadian employer receive additional points.

The maximum number of points a candidate can receive on the CRS is 1,200, with 600 of these points available for core human capital factors, including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency and an additional 600 points available for factors such as having Canadian education, having a job offer, having a sibling in Canada who is a permanent resident or citizen or receiving a provincial nomination.

Candidates who satisfy the eligibility requirements for one of the three Express Entry streams (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program) can create an online profile and enter the Express Entry pool. Once in the pool, candidates are ranked based on their CRS score, and regular draws are held to invite the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence.

Whenever IRCC conducts a draw, following parameters are announced: date and time of draw, the type of draw, number of candidates invited in the draw, and minimum CRS score required to be invited in that draw. In each draw, IRCC sends out an invitation to apply (ITA) to a number of candidates to apply for permanent residence. The number of candidates invited in the draw determines the minimum CRS score required to be invited in that particular draw. Therefore, the minimum CRS score varies with each draw and is highly dependent on the skills of the candidates present in the express entry pool.

In general, higher the CRS score, higher the chances of you getting invited.

Who is Eligible for Canada Express Entry?

Each stream (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades Program) under Express Entry has a distinct set of eligibility requirements.

Here are some of the minimum eligibility criteria for the Canada Express Entry program:

  • Candidates must have at least one year of continuous skilled work experience in one of the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) stream.
  • Candidates for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) must have at least one year of skilled work experience (TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3) in Canada.
  • For the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) stream, candidates must at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade.
  • Candidates must meet the stream specific minimum language proficiency requirements in either English or French. This is assessed through approved language tests such as IELTS-General or CELPIP-General for English and TEF Canada or TCF Canada for French.
  • If the educational credential is not a Canadian educational credential, candidates must have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to demonstrate that their education meets Canadian standards.
  • For the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) stream and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) stream, Candidates must demonstrate that they have enough funds or a valid job offer to support themselves and any accompanying family members in Canada.
  • Candidates must not have any criminal convictions or pose a security risk to Canada.
  • Candidates must be in good health and pass a medical exam.

Note: Meeting these eligibility requirements does not imply that you will be invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. To be invited to apply, candidates must also perform well on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

How to Apply for Canada Express Entry?

Here are the general steps to apply for the Canada Express Entry program:

  • Check your Eligibility: Before applying for the Canada Express Entry program by creating an Express Entry profile, you should ensure you meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three streams. This includes having a valid language test result, educational credential assessment report, and work experience that meets the requirements for your selected stream.
  • Create an Online Profile: Once you have confirmed your eligibility, you can create an online profile on the Government of Canada’s official website for Express Entry. You will need to provide information about your work experience, education, language proficiency, and other personal details.
  • Receive your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score: Following the submission of your profile, you will be assigned a CRS score based on your qualifications and experience. Higher scores increase your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
  • Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): The Express Entry pool is drawn on a regular basis, and candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence. If you receive an ITA, you will have 60 days to file your permanent residency application.
  • Submit your Application for Permanent Residency: Once you receive your ITA, within 60 days, prepare and submit all the required documents along with explanation as required. This includes providing supporting documents such as police certificates, medical exams, and proof of funds.
  • Wait for a Decision: After submitting your application, you will need to wait for the Canadian government (IRCC) to process your application. The general processing time for Express Entry applications is 6 months, however, processing time can vary depending on your circumstances and the application volume at the time.
  • Land in Canada: If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and be able to land in Canada as a permanent resident. You must complete the landing process within a certain time to activate your permanent residency status.

 

Concluding Words

The Canada Express Entry system is a fast and efficient way for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada and start a new and exciting life in Canada. It is understandable that the entire process can be overwhelming and so, to make sure that you check all the requirements of the Express Entry immigration programs, you can get help from licensed Canadian immigration specialists like us at AM-Square Immigration. With the correct guidance from a qualified and licensed consultant who holds an inside-out understanding of the immigration programs and the application process, you can increase your chances of achieving your dream of becoming a Canadian permanent resident. We hope this guide has provided the information you need to begin your immigration journey to Canada.

Share this post