Don't know what to do?
Get free counseling
DETAILS OF CANADA EXPRESS ENTRY PROGRAM
With the Express Entry program, immigration for professionals has been made seamless where the process is totally evident to you. The program’s key details are:
It is an online program that has no ceiling on the number of applicants and is open all round the year
The program is valid only for Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FWSP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Immigration Program
You need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and apply under any type of job notified in Skill Types A, B, and 0.
Your profile will be assessed as per points and will be positioned in the applicants’ pool
Provinces and employers of Canada will look to this pool to identify talent that meets their requirements
Individuals holding the highest points are sent Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for PR
The number of issued ITAs will be subject to the Annual Immigration Level.
The Express Entry Program of Canada depends on a points-based system to assess applicants. The primary purpose of this system is to find applicants who stand the maximum chance of being successful after they migrate to Canada. The maximum score on the points scale is 1200 and gauges you and your spouse/partner (if any) on the following parameters:
Age
The highest educational level
Proficiency in English or French
Work experience in Canada
Work experience outside of Canada
Transferability of skill
Other aspects
Advantages of the Express Entry System:
This immigration program’s main advantage is its transparency. Applicants will be aware of the Comprehensive Ranking System’s (CRS) points they need to score to be eligible to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Candidates will also be in the know of the median score they should get if they want to qualify for an ITA. In case they do not make it here, they always can put in efforts to enhance their CRS scores or take into consideration other options of CRS by improving their language proficiency scores, or by earning extra work experience, or weighing options to study in Canada or striving for a provincial nomination.
Better scenarios for migrants:
Young candidates with higher educational levels, English or French language proficiency scores, or those with experience (employees or students) in Canadian are better placed to get an improved CRS score, allowing them to be selected in the Express Entry system.
Candidates who can obtain a provincial nomination get 600 more points. Those having job offers in the country or siblings residing in Canada are eligible too for more points.
Step 1: Fulfill your ECA
If you have been educated outside Canada, you need to get your Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA). The ECA establishes that your educational qualifications are on par with those of the Canadian educational system.
Step 2: Finish your language proficiency tests
The next step is to complete the required language proficiency tests in English. The minimum score is six bands in IELTS, which is equivalent to CLB 7. When you apply, your test score should not lesser than two years old.
Those who know the French language will have more chances than other applicants. Take French language tests, such as the Test de evaluation de Francians (TEF), to demonstrate your language proficiency.
Step 3: Generate your Express Entry profile You will have to generate your online profile for the Express Entry program initially. Include in the profile your age, educational qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, etc. Based on these details, you will get a score. If you qualify by obtaining the required number of points, you are in a position to submit your profile which will find its way into the Express Entry pool. Step 4: Analyze your CRS score The ability of your profile to make it to the Express Entry pool is determined by the CRS score. Metrics, including age, education, work experience, adaptability, etc., influence your CRS score. Step 5: Obtain your Invitation to Apply (ITA) If from the Express Entry pool your profile is selected, you will receive from the Canadian government an ITA, following which you can begin your PR visa’s documentation process.
Age: You score maximum points if you are aged between 18-35. Those aged above will gain fewer points.
Education: Your least educational qualification must be on par with Canada’s higher secondary education level.
Work experience: You should have a minimum work experience of one year. More years of work experience will earn you more points.
Language ability: You need to get a minimum of six bands in your IELTS, which is equivalent to CLB 7, to have the eligibility to apply.
Adaptability: You score ten points on this factor if your family members or other close relatives are Canadian citizens or PRs. If your spouse/ partner wants to migrate with you to Canada, you score more points.
Employment arrangements: A job offer from a Canada-based employer will earn you ten points.
Every Express Entry draw in Canada has a minimum eligibility score. Applicants with a CRS score equal to or above the eligibility score will receive ITAs. If more than one candidate has a score equal to the eligibility score, an individual having a longer presence in the Express Entry pool will get an ITA.
After getting an ITA, submit a complete application within the given 90 days. If you don’t, your ITA will become void. Use this time of 90 days to submit a proper application.
Documents: Begin by gathering all the required documents. The ITA will let you know which program you have chosen to apply for your PR visa. Check the Express Entry portal to find a list of documents that is apt for the program you have applied to. You will need to submit the following documents with your application:
Documents of your language test results in English
Civil status documents, including your birth certificate
Documents to prove your educational qualifications
Documents substantiating your work experience
Medical certificates
Police clearance certificate
Evidence of funds to take care of yourself
Passport size photographs
The medical certificate you need to provide should be from a doctor who is approved by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The immigration authorities will ask you to submit additional documents to ensure that they are ready.
Biometrics: You will have to present your biometrics, including fingerprints and photographs. If you, however, have submitted your biometrics in the last ten years in Canada, you need not provide your biometrics again. Go to the biometric collection center closest to you to submit it.
After completing your biometrics and medical exams and submitting the required documents, you can safely submit your PR visa application.
BMC is one of the leaders in Canadian immigration and visa consulting services. Our teams have worked on thousands of Canadian visa applications and we have the knowledge and experience to help you throughout the process. Our services include:
Explore what Global Indians have to say about BMC in shapping their future
Ajay Kumar about BMC, companion, guide and facilitator, giving you purpose to immigrate and live opportunities
There are two types of work permits given by Canadian authorities- open work permit and an employer specific work permit. An open work permit basically allows you to work for any employer. This visa is not job-specific, so applicants do not require the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an offer letter from an employer who has paid the compliance fee.
With an open work permit you can work for any employer in Canada except for those companies that do not comply with labor requirements or are involved in services like escort services, erotic massage or exotic dancing.
The employer specific work permit as the name suggests is a permit that allows you to work for a specific employer.
Conditions on the work permit
While the employer specific work permit pertains to a single employer, the open work permit can come with certain conditions which will be written on it. These include:
Certain jobs in Canada require entry to the country only on a valid work permit. Two of these jobs are caregivers and agricultural workers. Caregivers who take care of the elderly, disabled of children need to have a work permit before taking up a job in Canada. The same goes for agricultural workers.
Irrespective of the work permit you are applying for, there are certain eligibility requirements you must meet, these include: