Express Entry
Overview of Express Entry
Express Entry is an online system used by Canada’s Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for skilled workers aiming to become permanent residents. It covers three federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Class (FSWC)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Class (FSTC).
This system ranks candidates based on factors like age, education, language skills, work experience, and others, inviting the highest-scoring individuals to apply for Canadian permanent residency through regular draws.
Eligibility Criteria:
To apply, candidates must:
- Have at least one year of continuous work experience within the last ten years in skill levels O, A, or B as per the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
- Meet or exceed the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) minimum requirement.
- Possess a Canadian high school credential or a foreign equivalent, verified by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a designated agency.
How Express Entry Works:
- Check Eligibility: Confirm eligibility for one of the three immigration programs.
- Create an Express Entry Profile: Eligible candidates submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Express Entry portal, detailing skills and credentials.
- Enter the Pool: Candidates enter a pool, where they’re ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), scored out of 1200 points. Higher scores increase the chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Canada Job Bank:
Candidates can join the Canada Job Bank to connect with Canadian employers. A full-time Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) approved job offer can earn:
- 200 CRS points for NOC 00 jobs.
- 50 CRS points for other NOC 0, A, and B jobs.
Receiving ITAs:
IRCC conducts draws typically every two weeks, inviting top-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence.
Application for Permanent Residence:
Candidates receiving ITAs have 60 days to submit a complete online application for permanent residence, with detailed personal information and supporting documents.
CRS Score Determination:
Scores are based on age, education, language proficiency, work experience, job offers in Canada, and spousal credentials. Additional points are awarded for Canadian education or provincial nominations.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
Many Canadian provinces have PNPs linked to Express Entry, designed to attract skilled immigrants. While not mandatory for entry into the pool or to receive an ITA, a provincial nomination can add 600 points to a CRS score, significantly boosting chances for an ITA.