Express Entry
Express Entry is an electronic selection system to manage applications for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada. It allows eligible candidates to submit a profile to the government of Canada. Top-ranked immigration candidates are then invited to submit an application for permanent residence.
Express Entry
- Aims to meet Canada’s current and future labour market needs.
- Selects skilled immigrants under the following federal economic immigration programs:
o The Federal Skilled Worker Programme
o The Federal Skilled Trades Programme
o The Canadian Experience Class
- Allows provinces and territories to recruit candidates for a portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labour market needs.
- Lets employers have a crucial role in selecting economic immigrants. Employers will access candidates through Canada’s Job Bank and through provinces and territories, where applicable.
- Endeavours to shorten the processing times for successful applicants immigrating to Canada.
Express Entry is a two-step process
Step 1: Complete an online Express Entry profile
Candidates for Canadian permanent residence will make an expression of interest in immigrating to Canada by creating an online profile. Your profile contains your personal information and skills that contribute to your score in the point-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The profile will help IRCC determine if you meet Canada’s Express Entry requirements.
Express Entry Points
The CRS gives you a score based on the information in your profile, including:
- skills
- education
- language ability
- work experience
- other factors
You can increase your points for Express Entry with:
- Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates
- a valid job offer
- a nomination from a province or territory.
If you are eligible for Express Entry, your application can stay in the pool for up to 12 months depending on your CRS score and the government’s objective during the respective draws.
The information provided must be accurate, as providing false information could disqualify an applicant from re-entering the pool for several years.
Step 2: Invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence
The Government of Canada and Provincial Governments, as well as employers, will be able to select new immigrants from the Express Entry pool. The highest-ranked candidates (i.e. candidates considered to have the best chances for economic success in Canada), and those with valid job offers or provincial nominations, will be invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
If you are selected, you will receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada. You will then have 90 days to submit an electronic application for permanent residence.
IRCC aims to process applications within six months of the date of submission. You must ensure that you complete all necessary forms and submit all supporting documents within this timeframe. On completion of the process, successful candidates and their dependents (spouse and children) will land in Canada as permanent residents.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool who do not receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada after 12 months may resubmit their profile and re-enter the pool if they still meet the criteria of at least one of the economic immigration programs.
Call us to find out what your options may be for Canadian immigration.