Canada Express Entry

Canada's Express Entry is among the foremost and effective immigration systems in the entire world and it was especially made for managing applications of skilled workers who aspire to be the permanent residents of Canada. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) went live with a system that picks the candidates based on their skills, educational background, work experience, and overall potential to contribute positively to the Canadian economy through a good economic contribution. The express entry due to its transparent selection criteria and faster processing times has been the main route for economic immigration to Canada.

What Is Canada Express Entry?

Canada Express Entry is an online application management system that the government of Canada uses to process permanently residence applications under the key economic immigration programs. Express Entry is not one of the immigration programs but rather a selection process that ranks victorious candidates through a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The applicants scoring the highest will then be allowed to file their requests for the permanent residency in Canada.

Programs Managed Under Express Entry

The system of Express Entry is responsible for overseeing the applications to three main federal immigration programs -

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

This program is directed towards skilled professionals having foreign work experience. The criteria for selection are education, work experience, language proficiency and other family and economic factors.

2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

This program suits best the applicants who possess skillful work experience in Canada, like international students and temporary foreign workers.

3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

This program targets those trades that are legally qualified and have experience in specific occupations like construction, electrical work, plumbing, and industrial trades.
Furthermore, provinces as well as territories have the right to nominate applicants from the Express Entry pool by means of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Canada Express Entry Eligibility

Candidates wanting to enter Canada Express Entry must first qualify for one of the federal programs regulated by the system. The general eligibility requirements for all programs are:

• Work Experience - A period of a minimum of 12 months of uninterrupted full-time (or equivalent) employment in a profession that is skilled and classified under NOC TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Language Skills -Test results from an acknowledged organization (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF) for English or French with the lowest CLB scores necessary.
• Education -The applicant is expected to have general and/or higher education and the overseas qualifications will require an ECA (Educational Credential Assessment).
• Funds - Sufficient funds to support the applicant's settlement in Canada (FSWP and FSTP candidates, unless exempted).
• Admission - The candidates have to be medically and criminally admissible to Canada in the first place.

Simply meeting the requirements does not guarantee the chance of selection as the candidates are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

How Express Entry System Works

The process of Express Entry is systematic and it has the following steps -

1. Profile Creation - The different applicants will create and submit their online profiles which will include their personal details like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency.
2. CRS Scoring - The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) rates each applicant's profile, and the score can go as high as 1200 points.
3. Invitation to Apply (ITA) -The IRCC does draws quite often and thereby offers the chance of permanent residence to the candidates having the highest scores.
4. PR Application Submission - The applicant is given 60 days period after getting the ITA to submit a full application.
5. Application Processing and Outcome - In most cases, the applications are processed and the decisions made within a period of six months.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The CRS is a points based system on which the applicants are evaluated by the factors indicated below -

• Age
• Education
• Language proficiency
• Canadian and international work experience
• Spouse or partner factors
• Moreover, additional points are awarded for provincial nominations, Canadian education, arranged employment, or proficiency in French.

One of the most favorable factors is the provincial nomination, which results in a grant of 600 CRS points, thus making it almost certain to get an ITA.

Express Entry Draw Types

IRCC is responsible for drawing various types of Express Entry, which include -

• General draws
• Program specific draws(CEC or PNP)
• Category based draws that focus on occupations such as healthcare, STEM, trades, transport and French-language proficiency

The targeted draws significantly help in fulfilling Canada’s labor market requirements.

Processing Time and Application Fees

Express Entry is the faster processing line, so the majority of applications are concluded within six months. The government fees normally consist of the application processing fee, the right of permanent residence fee and the biometrics fee. There will be extra costs for language tests, ECAs, medical exams, and police certificates.

Benefits of Canada Express Entry

• The PR processing is fast and transparent.
• The selection system is purely based on merits.
• There is a chance to increase the CRS score gradually.
• Total freedom in choosing a location for work and settlement all over the country.
• An obvious road to Canadian citizenship.

How VisaForNation Can Help You?

Visafornation offers professional advice and support throughout the whole process for people who want to apply through Canada Express Entry. Visafornattion takes care of eligibility assessment and CRS score evaluation, and profile creation, and documentation, and post-ITA application filing, which means it provides accuracy, compliance, and strategic planning at every step. Expert insights into Express Entry draws, PNP options and category-based selections are provided by Visafornattion, which, consequently, helps applicants to secure Canadian permanent residence smoothly and confidently.