Express Entry is an electronic system used to manage the applications of skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. Express Entry manages three programs:
Upon submission of an online profile by an interested candidate, the federal government evaluates their eligibility for a program administered by Express Entry. Eligible candidates are admitted into the Express Entry pool and ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This system assigns points to candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other criteria.
Subsequently, the Canadian government selects the highest-scoring candidates from the Express Entry pool and issues them an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Moreover, Canada offers specific categories where certain candidates may qualify to receive ITAs through category-based selection.
Express Entry comprises two primary stages. In the initial stage, eligible candidates express their interest in obtaining Canadian permanent resident status to the Canadian government. In the subsequent stage, the government conducts rounds of invitations, also referred to as “draws,” inviting the highest-scoring candidates to immigrate to Canada.
To be eligible for Express Entry, candidates must meet the criteria of at least one of the following federal economic immigration programs:
1. General rounds of invitation: IRCC invites those with the highest-ranking CRS scores to apply for permanent residence.
2. Program-specific rounds of invitation: IRCC invites those with the highest-ranking CRS scores who are eligible for a specific Express Entry program.
3. Category-based rounds of invitation: IRCC invites those with the highest-ranking CRS scores who are eligible for specific categories designated by IRCC aimed to promote certain economic goals.
In order to submit a profile through the Express Entry system, candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three federal programs.
These are the minimum requirements for applying to Canada’s Express Entry system as a skilled worker. However, meeting these requirements does not guarantee an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates with stronger profiles will be prioritized over those who only meet the minimum criteria.
Express Entry processing time can be as short as six months, starting from the submission of your Express Entry profile to receiving a permanent resident visa. However, not all cases progress this swiftly. If you don’t receive an invitation to apply, your Express Entry profile remains active in the candidate pool for 12 months. After this period, if you haven’t received an invitation, you can resubmit your profile and stay in the pool.
Here’s a breakdown:
Ideal Express Entry candidates would meet the following requirements:
Other factors that can really boost your CRS score can include:
How to submit your Express Entry profile:
You must meet the eligibility criteria of at least one Express Entry program: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). So, you need to first Find out if you are eligible for Express Entry. Then, you need to complete your language testing and if necessary, obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).Next step is to submit your profile on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and wait to see if you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC. If you receive an invitation to apply (ITA), you need to submit your completed Application for Permanent Residence (APR) to IRCC and pay your fees within the specified deadline, include your medical exam and police certificates as part of this step. IRCC will then provide you with an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR). You also need to submit your biometrics once IRCC asks you to do so. In the final step you will need to wait for IRCC to make a final decision on your APR. Once your application is approved you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if you are from a country that requires a visa) so you can travel to Canada and complete your landing.
There are various strengths and limitations of Express Entry, but the benefits outweigh the drawbacks significantly.
Before Express Entry, Canada operated on a first-come, first-served application system, leading to long waits for successful candidates due to the surplus of applications. With Express Entry, the processing time for permanent resident visas has significantly reduced to as little as six months, compared to several years under the old system.
Inspired by New Zealand and Australia, Canada introduced Express Entry in 2015 to streamline the processing of skilled worker applications and enhance the overall experience for immigration candidates.
Before Express Entry, Canada operated on a first-come, first-served application system, leading to long waits for successful candidates due to the surplus of applications. With Express Entry, the processing time for permanent resident visas has significantly reduced to as little as six months, compared to several years under the old system.
Express Entry’s reliance on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is another advantage, as it is based on extensive Canadian government research identifying traits that facilitate immigrant success in Canada’s job market. Candidates with attributes like youth, high education levels, professional experience, and strong language skills tend to excel. Research since 2015 indicates that Express Entry immigrants perform exceptionally well in the Canadian labour market, offering them confidence in securing professional jobs.
However, Express Entry does have its limitations. It does not guarantee candidates an invitation to apply for permanent residence, unlike the previous system where meeting eligibility and admissibility criteria almost ensured a visa. Under Express Entry, only candidates with the highest CRS scores have this opportunity.
On the positive side, Express Entry draws occur regularly, providing multiple chances for candidates to receive invitations. Moreover, candidates can improve their CRS scores through various methods such as obtaining a Canadian job offer, provincial nomination, Canadian education, gaining more professional work experience, and enhancing language test scores. Additionally, Canada offers over 100 skilled worker immigration pathways besides Express Entry, providing diverse opportunities for immigration.
Do I need a Canada job offer under Express Entry?
No, you do not need a job offer to be successful under Express Entry. Obtaining a job offer does not guarantee you will succeed, however it will help to increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. You can obtain either 50 or 200 additional CRS points if you receive a job offer that is eligible under Express Entry.
Is my CRS score enough under Express Entry?
Reviewing the latest Express Entry results provides the clearest insight into competitive CRS scores for individuals seeking an invitation to apply for a Canadian permanent resident visa.
You should not feel discouraged if your CRS score currently falls below recent cut-off requirements, as these requirements change with each Express Entry draw, often fluctuating unpredictably.
If your CRS score is just slightly lower than recent cut-offs, there’s a chance that future cut-offs may include candidates with scores similar to yours. Additionally, you can explore opportunities to improve your CRS score.
Even if your CRS score is significantly lower than recent cut-offs, there’s no need to lose hope. Being in the Express Entry pool presents the opportunity to secure a provincial nomination, which essentially guarantees success under Express Entry. In the meantime, you can pursue options such as obtaining a job offer in Canada, enhancing your CRS score, exploring other Canadian immigration programs, or pursuing a study pathway towards a permanent resident visa.
Should I enter the Express Entry pool if I have a low CRS?
If you have a low CRS score, entering the Express Entry pool remains a beneficial option for you, as it enhances your chances of immigrating to Canada successfully. Firstly, entering the pool is free, although you may have costs for your language test and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) beforehand, which are expenses typically associated with various Canadian immigration programs. Express Entry CRS cut-off scores are always fluctuating and are impossible to predict. What may seem like a low CRS score could be enough to eventually secure an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Moreover, being in the Express Entry pool allows you to actively work on improving your CRS score by retaking language tests, gaining more eligible professional work experience or education, or pursuing work and study opportunities in Canada. Additionally, while in the pool, you may receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination, essentially guaranteeing you an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a Canadian permanent resident visa. Alternatively, securing a job offer in Canada while in the pool could significantly increase your CRS score, leading to an ITA for permanent residence. Additionally, you retain the option to apply directly to other Canadian immigration programs while in the Express Entry pool.
