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What is an Express Entry Program?
- Express Entry Program is the popular immigration system that offers Canadian Permanent residency. It allows the candidate to submit the profile and get considered as a skilled immigrant. Express Entry was introduced in 2015, with the goal of improving Canada’s ability to select immigrants who have a strong ability to integrate into the Canadian workforce.
- Express Entry is a competitive system, ranking all interested candidates based on their personal profiles and only inviting certain candidates to submit applications. Eligible Candidates are ranked according to the comprehensive Ranking System which is based on the candidate’s age, education, work experience, language skills, and other factors too.
- Express Entry is Canada’s main system for managing immigration applications for skilled workers. Express Entry is not an immigration program, but rather is the system used to process applications for three distinct immigration programs in Canada, each targeting a different type of skilled worker.
Express Entry Programs
- There are three programs aligned with the Express Entry system. Each program is designed for a different type of worker:
- Federal Skilled Workers Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
This is the most popular Express Entry-aligned program, receiving more than half of all invitations. Watch our 3-minute video explaining FSW. To qualify, you need:
- Work experience: Minimum of 12 months of full-time, skilled work experience.
- Language: Score Canadian Language Benchmark Level (CLB) 7 on an approved language test.
- Education: Minimum of Canadian high school education, or foreign equivalent.
- FSW Points Grid: Must score a minimum of 67 points on the FSW points grid.
This is a program for foreign workers who have already been working in Canada on a work permit. To be eligible, you must meet the following basic requirements:
- Work experience: Minimum of 12 months of full-time, skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years.
- Language: Score CLB 7 or CLB 5 on an approved language test (depends on the skill level of your work experience).
This is a program for skilled tradespeople.
- Work experience: Minimum of 24 months of full-time work experience in a skilled trade.
- Trades qualification: Have either a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, or a certificate of qualification to practice a trade in a Canadian province.
- Language proficiency: Score CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing on an approved language test.
Eligibility for Express Entry
- Following are the general eligibility criteria to apply to Express Entry as a skilled worker:
- Have at least 3 years of skilled work experience in a skilled occupation.
- Must qualify for an approved language test with a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) seven in either English or French.
- Must have finished post-secondary education assessed under Canadian standards with an Education Credential Assessment.
- Candidates must be under 30 years.
- Higher language proficiency in English and/or in French.
- A Master’s degree or Ph.D. education
- Canadian work or educational experience
- Siblings currently residing in Canada
- Employment offer from a Canadian Company
- Nomination from Provincial Nominee Program
Documents you need for Express Entry
The required documents can be confusing, and getting the right documents the first time can save you a lot of hassle. Read this carefully, so you can keep your process as seamless as possible.
There are three main documents you need to create your Express Entry profile:
- You need a valid passport in order to create your Express Entry profile. In the creation stage, you will be prompted to input details directly from your passport.
- If your passport is expiring in the near future, you can still create your Express Entry profile and then apply for your new passport. But, once you receive your new passport, be sure to go into your Express Entry account and update your passport information.
- Also, be aware that if you are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you will be asked to submit scanned copies of passports for yourself and any accompanying family members.
- You need a valid passport in order to create your Express Entry profile. In the creation stage, you will be prompted to input details directly from your passport.
- If your passport is expiring in the near future, you can still create your Express Entry profile and then apply for your new passport. But, once you receive your new passport, be sure to go into your Express Entry account and update your passport information.
- Also, be aware that if you are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you will be asked to submit scanned copies of passports for yourself and any accompanying family members.
- You must prove that you are proficient in English or French (or both, for bonus points!). To do this, you have to submit results from one of Canada’s approved language tests. This is required even for native English and French speakers.
- These tests assess a candidate’s language ability in four areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- For English, the two approved tests are the CELPIP-General and the IELTS General. For French, the two approved tests are the TEF and the TCF. Your language test results are valid for up to two years, so if you took your test more than two years before you submit your application, you’ll need to sit another test.
- You must prove that you are proficient in English or French (or both, for bonus points!). To do this, you have to submit results from one of Canada’s approved language tests. This is required even for native English and French speakers.
- These tests assess a candidate’s language ability in four areas: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- For English, the two approved tests are the CELPIP-General and the IELTS General. For French, the two approved tests are the TEF and the TCF. Your language test results are valid for up to two years, so if you took your test more than two years before you submit your application, you’ll need to sit another test.
Processing time and fees
- Express Entry profile is valid only for a year. After receiving an invitation to apply (ITA), within 6 months their PR applications will be processed. If a candidate does not receive an ITA within one year of creating a profile, can resubmit their profile if they are still eligible.
- Express entry profile submission is free of charge. But, candidates could possibly incur some costs before submitting an Express Entry profile. For example Language exams, Education credential Assessment, Document translation to French or English, Hiring an immigration profile.
- After receiving ITA, candidates might have to incur some government fees and other costs such as medical examination, police background check, biometric fees, and fees to process PR applications which is $1325 for principal applicant, $1325 for spouse and $225 for dependent children.
Step-by-Step Express Entry Application Guide
Journey2Canada can help to guide you through the process. From creating your profile to advising and guiding you in gathering documents to make your application successful. we’ll be there every step of the way. With our help, you can transition into thee Canadian lifestyle smoothly.
Step 1 – Get your documents
In order to create your Express Entry profile, you need to gather a few documents. Generally, Express Entry candidates will require the following documents:
- Identification Documents
- English Language Test
- Education Credential Assessment
Step 2 – Create your Express Entry profile
With your documents ready, you can now create your Express Entry profile. You can do this using the online portal for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Once your profile is submitted and it is determined that you are eligible, you will enter the Express Entry pool of candidates. Within 24 hours of submitting your profile, you will be assigned your score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Step 3 – Improve your CRS score until you receive an invitation
Approximately every two weeks, IRCC issues a round of invitations to those in the Express Entry pool with the highest CRS scores. Sometimes draws will also be restricted to certain programs — like only inviting those from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). If you have a high CRS score to begin with, you may receive an invitation quickly. However, if your CRS score is below the competitive threshold for receiving an invitation, you can take action to improve your score.
Step 4 – Submit your application for permanent residence
Once you receive your ITA, you have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence. This application includes extensive personal information, plus documentation to support the information in your profile.
IRCC will request documents that are specific to your situation, so every person’s requirements are different. But, you can expect to submit work reference letters, medical exam results, police background checks, and more.
How we can help you achieve your dreams of studying in Canada?
From selecting the right college and program to finding the best rates fro your flight. The journey 2 Canada team will be right by your side.
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The Fastest growing PR Program is: Provincial Nominee Program
With growing popularity, nearly 250,000 people are expected to get Canadian Permanent residence via Provincial Nominee Programs in the upcoming years.
You can sponsor a family member to come and live with you in Canada
Moving abroad and staying away from your family is not so easy. Canada aims to invite almost 80,000 new immigrants via its spousal, partner, and children category.