Canadian immigration Express Entry is a system that manages permanent residence applications under the existing immigration programs. It basically selects skilled workers to Canada under the Federal Economic programs. Applications need to submit online profiles to Express Entry Pool so provincial governments and Canadian employers across the country can access best candidates invited by the Federal government to apply for the permanent residence.

Who is eligible?

Express Entry immigration is designed for skilled workers who are currently working in Canada or even in other countries. It is therefore important to check with the National Occupational Classification to find out whether your occupation qualifies or not before applying. For you to qualify for the entry, you must be in one of existing immigration programs which are Federal Skilled Trades Program, Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class. The programs come with different requirements too including work experience, education and language skills.

The process

The Express Entry system is not as complicated as it might sound. It is actually a short process involving a couple of steps.

Step 1

The first step in express entry requires the potential candidate to complete relevant profile online. The form is secure and is used to provide the needed information regarding their language ability, work experience, skills, education and other details necessary to assess them. Upon meeting the federal immigration program criteria, the candidates are accepted into the pool of candidates. In case candidates do not have job offers supported by LMIA or nomination from territory, they will be required to register with the ESDC job bank to connect them with eligible Canadian employers.

Candidates can also increase their chances with employers by using recruiter and job boards. LMIA is needed from ESDC for job offers to be valid in the Express Entry and to also get points. Permanent residency applications, however do not attract a fee.

Step 2

After the application and assessment of candidates, the highest ranking candidates will then be invited to apply for the permanent residence. The system ranks the candidates on point basis also known as a comprehensive ranking system. The information provided in the profiles is what is used to award the points and those with highest scores in the pool get an invitation to apply. Points are awarded for the job offer, nomination from territory or province and experience and skill factors. Job offers supported by LMIA and nomination by province attract additional points for the candidates. The higher you are ranked as a candidate the higher your chances of getting invitations.

After receiving an invitation, a 60 day window period is offered for you to submit an application for permanent residence. It takes six months or less for the Citizenship and Immigration Canada to process complete applications and candidates can remain in the pool for up to a year. In case they do not get invited to apply for the permanent residence within this period then they are free to submit new profiles to start the process again.

The Canadian immigration Express Entry makes it easier for interested candidates to get permanent residence in the county. Find out if you qualify and start your journey to Canada.