Express Entry Process
Express Entry (EE) is Canada's flagship online immigration application system, designed to streamline the process for skilled immigrants seeking permanent residency. It serves as a gateway to Canada for individuals with the right qualifications, allowing them to submit a profile and be considered among a pool of candidates. Those who rank highest are invited to apply for permanent residency, putting them on the path to becoming valued members of Canadian society.
By submitting a profile, candidates are ranked through a comprehensive points system, ensuring that only the most qualified individuals are invited to apply for permanent residence. If your ranking is high, you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA), bringing you one step closer to becoming a permanent resident of Canada.
After receiving your ITA and submitting your permanent residency application, the process is typically completed within six months, ensuring an efficient and transparent journey towards settling in Canada.
The Express Entry system handles applications for three of Canada’s key economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
Express Entry Process
The process begins with understanding the basic steps you need to follow:
- Verify if you meet the initial requirements for one of the economic immigration programs.
- Create an online EE Profile and prepare the necessary documents, including:
- A valid passport
- Your National Occupation Classification (NOC) code
- Education Credential Assessment (ECA) report
- Recent language test results from one of the following:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- Test d'Evaluation de Français (TEF)
- Canadian job offer (if applicable)
- Provincial Nomination (if applicable)
- Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on your profile (out of 1,200 points).
- If you score high enough, you will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
- The CRS cut-off score varies with each draw. Even if you are not selected in the first draw, you will remain in the Express Entry pool for up to a year.
- Pay the applicable fees, including the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).
- Provide proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your family after arriving in Canada.
- Submit police certificates from every country you have lived in for more than six months since the age of 18.
- Complete a medical exam with a certified panel physician.
- Request job experience letters from previous employers to validate your work history.
Please note: If you have a Canadian job offer, your future employer may need to provide you with a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to strengthen your application.
Comprehensive Ranking System
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the tool used to rank applicants in the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score is critical in determining whether you will receive an ITA. The CRS assesses you on several key factors:
- Human Capital Factors
- Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors
- Skill Transferability Factors
- Additional Factors
These factors include:
- Your age
- Work experience (both in and outside Canada)
- Educational qualifications
- Language proficiency in English and/or French
- Adaptability to life in Canada
- Canadian job offers
- Your spouse or common-law partner’s qualifications (if applicable)
The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of being selected for permanent residency. The maximum possible score is 1,200 points.
There are several ways to enhance your CRS score. For example, receiving a Provincial Nomination will add 600 points to your score. Canadian job offers can contribute between 50 to 200 points, depending on the job level, and a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) can boost your score by an additional 600 points.
Additionally, strong performance in the Core Human Capital Factors can significantly increase your score, especially in education. Higher educational qualifications, such as a diploma, degree, or certificate, will result in more points. Furthermore, if your spouse or common-law partner has relevant qualifications or work experience, it can positively impact your CRS score.
Language proficiency is another crucial factor. Higher scores in recognized English or French tests like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF can add up to 150 points to your CRS score, making you more competitive in the pool.