Express Entry Program

The Express Entry Program is Canada's main immigration system for managing applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. It was launched by the Canadian government in January 2015 to streamline the immigration process. The program aims to attract skilled workers, tradespeople, and professionals to Canada, in order to fill labor shortages and contribute to the economy.

Here's an overview of the Express Entry system:

1. Eligibility

To be eligible for Express Entry, applicants must meet the criteria for one of the following federal immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): For skilled workers with at least one year of work experience in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, 1, 2 and 3).

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For workers with experience in a skilled trade, such as electricians or plumbers.

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals with Canadian work experience (at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada).

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Although not directly part of Express Entry, candidates can be nominated by a province or territory, giving them additional points for selection.

2. Application Process

The process is divided into two main parts:

• Step 1: Create an Express Entry Profile
  Candidates create an online profile in which they provide details about their skills, work experience, education, language ability (English or French), and other factors. This profile is then entered into the Express Entry pool.

• Step 2: Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score
  Once in the pool, candidates are assigned a CRS score based on factors like age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and whether they have a job offer or provincial nomination. The higher the score, the better the chances of being invited to apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

• Step 3: Invitation to Apply (ITA)
  Periodically, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws from the pool of candidates. Those with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence.

• Step 4: Submit Application for Permanent Residence
  If invited, applicants must submit their complete application for permanent residence, including documents such as proof of work experience, educational credentials, and language test results. The application is reviewed, and if everything is in order, applicants receive permanent residency.

3. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The CRS is a points-based system that assigns points to candidates based on factors such as:

• Core Human Capital Factors (age, education, language proficiency, and work experience).

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner Factors (if applicable).

• Skill Transferability (combination of education and work experience).

• Additional Factors (e.g., job offer, provincial nomination, Canadian education credentials, sibling in Canada).

The highest-scoring candidates are selected in each Express Entry draw. Regular draws are held, with cut-off scores varying depending on demand and available spots.

4. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

While Express Entry is a federal program, many provinces and territories in Canada have aligned their provincial nominee programs with Express Entry. If a province nominates a candidate through its PNP, that candidate receives 600 additional CRS points, which virtually guarantees an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

5. Processing Times

After submitting the complete application for permanent residence, the typical processing time is 6 months or less. However, this can vary based on the complexity of the application and the volume of applications in the pool.