Canada Express Entry – Application Process, Eligibility & More
The Canada Express Entry system allows you to immigrate to Canada and apply for a Canada PR directly. It is used by the IRCC to manage applications of skilled workers who want to Immigrate to Canada as a skilled professional.
Take the language tests – IELTS for English and TEF for French language
Get an Educational credential Assessment or ECA done on your educational qualifications by a certified agency to prove that your educational standards are on par with the Canadian education system.
The following steps are required for applying Canada Express Entry
Canada follows a multi-faceted system for immigration into the country. Skilled as well as semi-skilled and agricultural workers are welcomed by the Canadian federal and provincial governments.
The most popular avenue for immigration to Canada is the Express Entry stream which works on a points based system
Other pathways for immigration to Canada are work-permit visa, which allows its holder to work in Canada for a limited amount of time. A person can choose to extend a work permit and apply for permanent residence without living the country
Quebec, which is an autonomous region within Canada has its own immigration stream that one can apply for
Another excellent method for immigrating to Canada is to enter the country as a student and then gain experience in a Canadian company and gain extra points to migrate through the Express Entry
The Express Entry Pathway
The Express Entry pathway has the following streams
Federal Skilled Workers Program
The federal skilled workers program is designed for highly skilled immigrants who are planning to immigrate to Canada
What is the Eligibility Criteria to Apply Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
In order to be eligible to apply under the Federal Skilled Workers Program, you will have to fulfill the following eligibility criteria
You will need to score at least 67 points out of a total of 100 on the Comprehensive Ranking score (CRS). The points are calculated for the following criteria
You have to produce test results for English and/or French language tests to demonstrate your proficiency in the language
You will need to complete your ECA for your educational qualifications and submit the documents with your application
You need to have a minimum of 1 year of uninterrupted work experience in one of the professions that come under the NOC categories O, A and B.You should either
a.Have an employment offer on hand
b.Be working for an employer in Canada
Have completed your PhD from a recognized institute of learning in Canada
If you get accepted into the Express Entry pool, you will then get to enter a pool of Express Entry candidates, from which applicants are drawn based on a minimum arbitrarily decided minimum CRS score. All applicants who have earned the designated CRS score or higher will be issued invitations to apply.
Documents Required for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
All the applications forms that are required for the canada immigration and canada PR visa process are completed and signed without any errors
Documents showing proof of your work experience
Results of your language test for English and/or French
An educational certificate Credential certificate
Two Self-attested mailing labels
A copy of the pages of your passport that contain your personal information and date of validity
If you have stated in your application that you have an employment offer on hand, then you need to include the following document
a.Offer letter from your employee
b.Photocopy of your work permit
Additional Steps for Canada Immigration Express Entry Application
Step 1: Get your CRS Score
You will be assigned a CRS score once you have completed your application. If your CRS score is equal to or more than 67 points.
If your CRS score is equal to or higher than the cut-off score for any of the draws, and you meet the eligibility criteria for the draw, then you will be issued an ITA
Step 3: Receive your Invitation to Apply
If you have satisfied the conditions in the above step, then you will get an Invitation to Apply from the IRCC
Once you receive the ITA, you are required to complete your final application process within 60 days
Step 4: Obtain your Medical and police certificate
You will need to obtain a medical clearance as well as police clearance certificate from the concerned authorities
Step 5: submit your final PR Application
Once you have all the documents ready, then you will need to make your final submission
Before submitting your application, you need to make sure that all documents are in perfect order
Step 6 Get your PR status
Once you submit your application, you can expect it to get processed within six months
If your application is approved, then you will receive a COPY of confirmation of Permanent residence
You will be able to travel to Canada with the COPR
Once you arrive at the port of entry, then you can get your PR status stamped on your passport
You can expect the process to take 6 months on an average. However, there may be some delays under unexpected circumstances
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Individuals who worked in canada for atleast one year to immigrate permanently then we call this as Canadian Experience Class(CEC) program.
Eligibility conditions Canadian Experience Class
You will need to have worked for a minimum of 1 year in Canada in a full-time job or for a part-time job that covers the same duration within the last 3 years, immediately preceding the date of application
Your work experience can fall under any of the following categories
Eligibility Conditions for the Federal Skilled Trades Class Program (FSTP)
You will need to write the language test and meet the required level
You need to have at least 2 years of full time work experience
You need to have acquired skills in a trade that is as per the stipulations of the National Occupation Classification or NOC. these include the following
a.From the major group
1)Group 72: Jobs in Industrial, Electrical, and Construction trades
2)Group 73: Jobs in equipment Operation and Maintenance trades
3)Group 82: Jobs in technical and supervisory jobs in agriculture, natural resources
4)Group 92: Jobs in Utility and Manufacturing, processing,Central Control Operators and supervisors
5)You need to have acquired skills in a trade that is as per the stipulations of the National Occupation Classification or NOC. these include the following
b.From Minor Groups
1)Group 632: chefs and cooks
2)Group 633: Butchers and bakers
You need to have an legitimate offer of employment from an employer based in Canada
Proof of sufficient funds. You are not required to meet this requirement if you have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada or are currently working in Canada
Documents Required for the FSTP
All the application forms completed and signed
Processing fees as required
Documents showing proof of your identity
A valid passport and other required travel documents
Proof of having sufficient work experience
Proof of completing skills training
Test results of your language tests
Proof of employment offer
Police clearance and medical clearance
Proof of having sufficient funds for settlement
Application Process for FTSP
Find your job under the NOC
Get your ECA completed
Give your language tests and obtain the results
Complete your online application and get your CRS score
If you qualify, then your application will enter the Express Entry pool
If your CRS meets the minimum CRS score in any Express Entry draw then you will receive an ITA
Processing Time for FSTP
The Immigration authority for Canada, IRCC has provided the latest updated timelines for processing of canada visas during the current pandemic situation. Most of the applications for FSTP are likely to be processed within a duration of 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions by Professionals Immigrating to Canada.
The Express Entry program is Canada immigration’s flagship program to attract and retain talent from all across the world into Canada. Specifically, the Express Entry is a pathway to obtain PR visa for Canada. To know more about this program, get in touch with our expert Canada immigration consultants at Global Tree
The article above explains in detail the process for applying for Canada PR through Express Entry. You can get in touch with our Canada immigration consultants to know more detailed and updated information about Express Entry
The details of costs are outlined above. However, to get an updated information, we recommend that you reach out to our Canada immigration consultants at Global Tree