How the Express Entry System Works
- Create an Express Entry Profile:
Eligible candidates begin by creating an online profile through the Express Entry system. This profile includes personal information, educational background, work experience, language skills, and other relevant details. The Crucial part is selecting the right Occupation code as Canadian Occupation description differ from those used in other countries. Profile creation is 70-80% biodata filling. The grey area is 20-30% which is critical and decisive. If profile is not created as per the required legal requirements, your Permanent Residence application could be refused resulting in loss of time, money and opportunity. AT Euro Immigraiton Consultants, We are licensed and Experienced to submit your profile as per the requirements and ensure perfect submission to enhance selection chances. - Eligibility Check:
You must meet the minimum eligibility criteria for one of the three Express Entry programs (FSWP, FSTP, or CEC). Each stream has its specific eligibility requirements. Your assessment on one of the streams is a complicated matter and requires the assisstance of a licensed and Experienced Immigration Consultant. You will be assessed based on these criteria when creating your profile. - Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS):
Once your profile is submitted, it is given a CRS score. This score is based on factors such as:- Age
- Education
- Work experience
- Language skills (English and/or French)
- Adaptability (spouse’s skills, previous work or study in Canada and abroad, etc.)
The higher the CRS score, the better your chances of being invited to apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
- Draws from the Pool:
Express Entry candidates are ranked in the system according to their CRS scores. The Canadian government regularly holds draws in different categories to invite the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residency in those categories. These draws typically take place every two weeks, but the frequency may vary. - Invitation to Apply (ITA):
Candidates with the highest CRS scores in the draw receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a complete application with supporting documents (e.g., police certificates, medical exams, proof of funds, etc.). - Application Processing:
After submitting your application, the Canadian government will process it. The processing time for Express Entry applications is generally around 6 months or less from the date of receiving the ITA. - Permanent Residency:
If your application is approved, you will receive permanent resident status in Canada. As a permanent resident, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada.
Key Programs Under Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
This program is for individuals with skilled work experience who want to become permanent residents of Canada. To be eligible for the FSWP, you must meet certain work experience, education, and language requirements.- Work Experience: At least 1 year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a TEER Category 0,1, 2, 3.
- Language: You need to take a language test (IELTS for English or TEF for French) and score a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7.
- Education: A secondary school education is required, but a higher education (college, university, or diploma) is strongly recommended for higher CRS scores. Canadian Equivalency of your education is required in order to submit your profle in Express Entry.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
This program is designed for individuals with experience in skilled trades who want to become permanent residents of Canada. To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:- Work Experience: At least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the past 5 years.
- Job Offer or Certificate: You must have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, or a Certificate of Qualification from a Canadian province or territory.
- Language: The minimum language requirements are lower than those for the FSWP, with a CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
The CEC is for individuals who have gained work experience in Canada and want to transition to permanent residency. You must meet the following criteria:- Work Experience: At least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in TEER 0,1,2,3 in the last 3 years.
- Language: A minimum language proficiency of CLB 5 (TEER 2,3) & CLB 7(TEER 0,1) is required.
Additional Factors Affecting Your CRS Score
- Spouse or Common-law Partner:
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, their age, education, language skills, and work experience can contribute to your CRS score. - Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):
Some provinces have PNPs that allow them to nominate candidates for permanent residency. If you are nominated by a province, you will receive an additional 600 points in the CRS system, which virtually guarantees an ITA in the next draw. - Education:
Higher levels of education, such as a Canadian post-secondary degree or an International Credential Assessment (if your education was obtained outside Canada), can add more points to your CRS score. - Canadian & International Work Experience
Types of rounds of invitations
We hold different types of rounds of invitations throughout the year.
1. General rounds of invitations
IRCC invites top-ranking candidates in the pool who are eligible for 1 of the 4 programs managed through Express Entry. (EE, FCTP,CEC, PNP)
2. Program-specific rounds of invitations
Other types of invitations include top-ranking candidates who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program. For example, PNP, CEC, FSTP.
3. Category-based rounds of invitations
Currently there are 6 in demand categories under which foreign nationals are invited. These are:
i.French-language proficiency
ii. Healthcare and social services occupations
iii.Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) occupations
iv. Trade occupations
v. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
vi.Education occupations
For a detailed list of these programs please feel free to contact us or submit our online FREE ASSESSMENT FORM.
Express Entry Processing Time
- Processing Time: The average processing time for an Express Entry application is approximately 6 months from the date the Full application is submitted. However, it may take longer depending on individual circumstances and the complexity of your application.
How to Increase Your CRS Score
- Improve Language Skills: Take additional language tests to improve your IELTS or TEF scores.
- Pursue Further Education: Completing additional post-secondary education, especially in Canada, can help increase your points.
- Apply for Provincial Nominee Programs: Consider applying for a PNP, which can give you 600 additional CRS points.
How Euro Immigration Consultants Assist clients with Express Entry Profile:
- Being a Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant, we submit our client’s profiles through our Authorized Paid Representative Portal allocated to us by IRCC.
- We understand submitting Express Entry profile seems biodata filling mostly. However, the 20-30% portion is technical and requires practical knowledge of the Canadian Immigration System, Immigration Act and Regulations, recent and current Immigration trends, and future forecasts. Being a licensed and experienced Immigration firm, we submit our client’s profiles tactically in order to maximise their invitation chances.
- Allocating the appropriate NOC code is the most crucial factor in submitting the Express Entry Profile. With our knowledge and experience of Canadian job market and employment standards, we can better advise our clients and submit the appropriate NOC code to maximise the invitation chances.
- With a dedicated emails that receives all clients’ updates, We remain vigilant to take any action requried on client profiles.
- Our clients only do one job, viz, they retain our professional services. All the other work is done by us.
Conclusion
Express Entry is an efficient and fast application management system designed to manage skilled worker immigration to Canada. By creating a profile and entering the pool, you can be selected for an ITA if you meet the criteria and have a competitive CRS score. It’s a great option for skilled workers, tradespeople, and those with Canadian work experience who want to make Canada their permanent home.
To get started, you should:
- Check your eligibility for one of the Express Entry programs.
- Complete the online profile to enter the Express Entry pool.
- Improve your CRS score if needed by improving your language skills or securing a job offer.
Express Entry offers a pathway to permanent residency in Canada for skilled individuals, making it an attractive option for those looking to start a new life in Canada.
You are strongly advised to submit our online FREE ASSESSMENT FORM. Our Licensed Canadian Immigration Consultant will assess your profile and advise you according to your profile.