Express Entry
For skilled foreign workers who want to immigrate to Canada for permanent residence through special economic immigration programs, the Express Entry Canadian immigration management system is responsible for processing their applications. When applicants are qualified for an eligible Canadian visa program, they need to provide their information by filling out an Express Entry profile online. They have 60 days from the time their ITA or Invitation to Apply is received to file their Canadian visa application.
It takes about 6 months before a decision about Express Entry is made. For applicants and their families who get approved for Express Entry, they will be given permanent resident status in Canada, allowing them to live, work, and study there as long as they want. Moreover, they will receive many benefits, such as an opportunity to become a Canadian citizen after 3 years of living in Canada within 5 years and fulfilling other criteria.
Visa Programs Qualifying
for Express Entry
Skilled foreigners who are eligible for any of the Canadian visa programs discussed below can submit their application for Express Entry immigration to Canada:
- FSWP or Federal Skilled Worker Program
- FSTP or Federal Skilled Trades Program
- PNP or Provincial Nominee Program
- CEC or Canadian Experience Class Program
Procedure
The following is the procedure applicants need to complete for Express Entry Canadian immigration:
1. They need to fill out an Express Entry profile online completely and include:
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- Pertinent information about the applicant and members of their family
- French and/or English language evaluation test scores (less than 2 years old)
- A passing Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
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2. An official from the Canadian immigration agency will assess the profile
3. Applicants who appear to qualify can be included in the Express Entry pool.
4. For permanent residency in Canada, the ITA or Invitation to Apply can be given to Express Entry applicants who meet any of the following requirements:
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- Received the highest scores on the Comprehensive Ranking System; or
- Got an authorized employment offer in Canada; or
- Have a nomination for a Provincial Nominee Program by a province in Canada.
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5. After the ITA is given, applicants have 60 days to send in their Canadian visa application, the payment for the visa application fee, and all the needed documents such as:
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- Valid passport or any certified documents to travel
- Birth certificate
- Educational Credential Assessment
- Valid French and/or English language test scores that are less than 2 years old
- Document(s) supporting related work experience for a qualifying occupation
- Document(s) of educational attainment such diplomas and school transcript of record, among others
- Medical exam document to certify good health
- Police clearance to certify good character
- Document(s) showing financial capabilities of the applicant to support themselves and their family in Canada
- An offer of qualifying employment in Canada (if applicable)
- Other documents that may be asked for
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The Canadian immigration office generally makes its decision to allow the issuance of Express Entry to Canada within half a year after receiving the application, fees and documents.
Please Read
Make sure that your online Express Entry profile is always updated. For instance, if you got a qualifying Canadian job offer that has a positive Labor Market Impact Assessment, you ought to update your profile, because you can get extra points and could be issued an ITA. In the same way, if you receive a PNP nomination, it can also increase your chances of getting the Invitation to Apply.
If you got a degree from a higher educational program, you should update your Express Entry profile, because this could increase your points in the Comprehensive Ranking System. For instance, if you applied for Express Entry with a Bachelor’s Degree and got a Master’s Degree afterwards, you should indicate this so that the Canadian immigration officers know that you have achieved higher educational attainment.
You have to remember that the Canadian immigration office will not consider additional factors if you do not update them. Moreover, if there are other pertinent changes, such as your marital status or number of children, you need to update your Express Entry profile as well.
Please keep in mind that this is a summary of the Express Entry procedure for Canadian immigration. Furthermore, the process and requirements may be changed by the Canadian government in the future.
