Canada Express Entry System: A step-by-step guide

If you’re considering immigrating to Canada, you’ve probably heard of the Express Entry system. This system is designed to make the immigration process faster and more efficient for skilled workers who want to live and work in Canada. However, navigating the Express Entry system can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with the Canadian immigration process.

That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you understand how the Express Entry system works and how you can increase your chances of being selected for permanent residency in Canada. So, let’s get started!

Express Entry Overview

Let’s start our journey with an Express Entry overview. What exactly is this system, you ask? Well, think of it as Canada’s way of rolling out the welcome mat to skilled workers from around the world. It’s like an exclusive invitation to join the Canadian family.

You see, Canada’s Express Entry system is like a finely-tuned machine, designed to streamline the immigration process. It’s all about efficiency, making it easier for qualified individuals like you to become permanent residents. But how does it all work?

Read: 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Visas

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is a Canadian immigration system that was introduced by the government of Canada in 2015 to manage the applications for permanent residence through economic immigration programs. It is a points-based system designed to select candidates who are likely to succeed economically in Canada.

The key economic immigration programs managed through Express Entry include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.

How Does Express Entry Work?

Express Entry is a comprehensive and points-based system designed to manage the immigration applications of skilled workers who want to become permanent residents of Canada. The process involves several key steps:

Eligibility Assessment:

• Programs: Determine eligibility for one of the three main economic immigration programs managed through Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
• Requirements: Ensure you meet the specific requirements for the chosen program, including work experience, education, language proficiency, and other criteria.

Language Proficiency and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA):

• Language Test: Take an approved language proficiency test (English or French) and obtain the required minimum scores.
• Educational Credential Assessment: If educated outside of Canada, get your credentials assessed to confirm their equivalence to Canadian standards.

Create an Express Entry Profile:

• Online Profile: Create a profile on the Express Entry system, providing detailed information about your skills, work experience, language proficiency, education, and other relevant factors.
• Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): The system assigns a CRS score based on the information provided.

Ranking in the Express Entry Pool:

• Regular Draws: Periodically, the government conducts draws from the Express Entry pool, inviting candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence.
• CRS Cutoff: The CRS cutoff score is the minimum score required to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Job Bank Registration (Optional):

• Job Seeker Validation Code: If eligible, candidates can register with the Job Bank and receive a Job Seeker Validation Code, which can be included in the Express Entry profile to connect with potential employers.

Provincial Nomination (Optional):

• Nomination by a Province: Some provinces and territories in Canada have their own immigration programs. If nominated by a province through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), candidates receive additional CRS points.

Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA):

• Express Entry Draws: Candidates with CRS scores above the cutoff in a particular draw receive an ITA.
• ITA Validity: Once issued an ITA, candidates typically have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.

Submission of Permanent Residence Application:

• Online Application: Submit a complete application for permanent residence through the online system, including supporting documents.
• Biometrics and Medical Exam: Complete necessary biometrics and medical examinations.

Processing and Final Decision:

• Background Check: The application undergoes a thorough background check by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
• Decision: If everything is in order, and the applicant meets all criteria, IRCC makes a final decision on granting permanent residence.

Landing in Canada:

• Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): Upon approval, applicants receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
• Travel to Canada: Use the COPR to travel to Canada and complete the landing process.

Express Entry is known for its efficiency in processing applications and selecting candidates with the skills and attributes needed to contribute to the Canadian economy. The system is dynamic, and candidates can take steps to improve their CRS scores to enhance their chances of receiving an ITA.

What are targeted Express Entry draws?

Targeted Express Entry draws, also known as program-specific draws, are a variation of the regular Express Entry draws conducted by the Canadian government. In these draws, the government specifically targets candidates with certain characteristics or qualifications that align with the needs of particular provinces, territories, or employers in Canada. The goal is to address specific labour market or economic priorities and attract individuals who possess skills or experience in high-demand sectors.

Here’s how targeted Express Entry draws work:

Identification of Specific Criteria:

• Before a targeted draw, the government identifies specific criteria or qualifications that align with the current economic or labour market needs of a particular province, territory, or employer.

Inviting Candidates Meeting Specific Criteria:

• During the draw, candidates in the Express Entry pool who meet the identified criteria are invited to apply for permanent residence.
• The criteria may include occupation-specific skills, experience in a particular industry, proficiency in a specific language, or other qualifications.

Focused Selection:

• Unlike regular draws, where candidates are selected based on their overall Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores, targeted draws focus on specific attributes or qualifications deemed valuable by the targeted province, territory, or employer.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
• Targeted draws are often associated with Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), where provinces and territories nominate candidates directly from the Express Entry pool who meet their specific needs.
• A provincial nomination comes with additional CRS points, significantly increasing a candidate’s chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Employer-Specific Draws:

• In some cases, targeted draws may be initiated to address the needs of specific employers in Canada. Express Entry candidates with job offers from these employers may be invited to apply.

Enhanced Provincial Nomination Streams:

• Some provinces have enhanced Provincial Nomination Streams within their PNP, which allow them to directly select candidates from the Express Entry pool who meet certain criteria.

Benefits for Candidates:

• Candidates selected in targeted draws benefit from a streamlined immigration process, as their qualifications closely match the specific needs of the province, territory, or employer.

Flexibility in Criteria:

• The criteria for targeted draws can vary, and they may change based on the evolving economic priorities of different regions or industries in Canada.

Targeted Express Entry draws enhance the adaptability of the immigration system, allowing it to respond to changing economic demands. These draws align with the Canadian government’s strategy to attract skilled workers who can contribute directly to the growth and development of specific regions and industries within the country.

Read: How to Build Credit Abroad as a New Immigrant

How long does the Express Entry process take?

The Express Entry process can take anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the complexity of your application and the current immigration processing timesWhat are the pros and cons of Express Entry?

Every coin has two sides, and so does the Express Entry system. So, what are the pros and cons you should be aware of? On the positive side, it’s a straightforward process that doesn’t always require a job offer.

Plus, it offers access to various Canadian provinces. On the flip side, it’s a competitive process, and the application fees can add up. Knowing these pros and cons helps you make an informed decision.