Understanding Express Entry As A Path Toward Canadian Immigration

Canada is one of the top countries where many people across the world wish to migrate to, thanks to its strong education system, lucrative job opportunities, solid healthcare system, and beautiful landscapes. Initially, people move to this country by getting a work permit and gradually, once they are eligible, they apply for Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada. 

If you are one of those people who is looking forward to applying for immigration Canada Express Entry is the first choice that can get you the visa. Continue reading this article to understand more about this program, which serves as a path towards settling down in Canada as a permanent resident. 

What Is Express Entry Program?

The Express Entry program refers to a points-based immigration regulatory system in Canada. It has been developed by the IRCC (Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada). The Canadian government uses this system to manage applications of skilled workers who want to immigrate as permanent residents to Canada. 

Express Entry is the most popular and fastest way to get a PR visa in Canada for immigrants. However, that doesn’t mean anyone who wants to get PR in Canada can get it. There are several criteria that one has to meet in order to get the PR approved. 

Express Entry Eligibility

To be eligible for PR through the Express Entry program, you must have a college or university degree, moderate proficiency in French or/and English, and skilled work experience. If you want to submit your profile through this program, you should also meet the eligibility requirements under one of the following federal schemes: 

• Canadian Experience Class (CTC) – for skilled employees who have experience working in Canada
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST) – for skilled workers experienced in skilled trades
• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) – for skilled workers with experience working in foreign countries

Express Entry Requirements

As a skilled worker, if you want to be eligible to apply for PR under Express Entry, you must  have:

• A minimum one year experience in the past ten years of continuous full-time experience working in a skilled job
• Finished post-secondary education that is evaluated against the standards of Canada
• The ability to illustrate your skills in an approved language test and score a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 points in either French or English

Though these are the minimum requirements to be eligible to apply for the Express Entry program as a skilled worker, it doesn’t mean you will get your PR approved. The Canadian government will assess the submitted applications and select candidates with stronger profiles. 

Applying for Express Entry

You need to follow a 2-step process to apply for Express Entry. 

Step 1: Submit your profile with the following documents: a travel document or a passport, educational credential evaluation report, and language test results. 

Step 2: After submitting your profile, if you get an invitation from the Canadian government to apply for PR, you will have to submit a more substantial application, which includes police clearance certificates, extra identity proof documents, medical test results, and reference letters. 

Express Entry Points

If you are planning to apply for PR through the Express Entry system, you are likely to have come across the term ‘Express Entry Points’, which generally refers to the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. The Canadian government uses this score for ranking candidates who have applied through the Express Entry system. The scoring is done based on factors, including education level, age, proficiency in English or French, spouse factors, Canadian and foreign work experience, and connections to Canada. 

Factors That Can Increase Your CRS Score

Here are a few factors that can help increase your CRS score and thus, increase your chances of getting an invitation from the Canadian government to apply for PR.

• Educational or work experience in Canada
• A Ph.D education or Master’s degree
• Higher proficiency in French or/and English languages
• Bilingualism in English and French
• A Canadian sister or brother presently residing in Canada
• A Provincial Nomination Program (PNP nomination)
• An arranged job offer from a Canadian firm

Documents Required for Express Entry Canada

The documents needed for the Express Entry system depends on two phases:

• Submission of profile
• Submission of PR application

• Documents Needed for Profile Submission

You will need to attach the following documents during profile submission:

1. Passport
2. Educational credential evaluation report
3. Language test results
4. Provincial nomination
5. Job offer letter (if received)

• Documents Needed for PR Application Submission

You have to attach the below documents while submitting your PR application: 

1. Medical test report
2. Police clearance certificate
3. Proof of funds

The Express Entry system is a competitive immigration program that ranks all eligible applicants according to their CRS scores and then invites the top ranking ones to apply for Canadian PR status. You can hire Canada work permit consultants for professional assistance. This is the best way for families and individuals who wish to settle in this country within a few months.