Express Entry Program

Canada Express Entry Immigration

Canada Express Entry Immigration

Canada Express Entry is the most popular immigration system offering Canadian permanent residence, introduced by the federal government in January 2015 to replace the old “first come, first served” process.

What is Express Entry and how does it work?

Express Entry is not an immigration program in itself, it is actually an online system created to manage Canada’s immigration applications intake.

Applicants who meet eligibility criteria submit an online profile known as an Expression of interest (EOI), under one of 3 federal Canada immigration programs or a participating provincial immigration program, to the Express Entry Pool.

Candidates’ profiles are ranked against each other according to a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest-ranked candidates will be considered for an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Those receiving an ITA must quickly submit a full application and pay processing fees, within a delay of 90-days.

The federal government aims to process complete PR applications in only 6 months.

Introduced in January 2015, the Express Entry program is the fastest and the most popular immigration pathway to Canada PR Visa. It is the main source for skilled immigration in Canada and manages the profiles of immigrants who have applied for Canada PR visa through three economic immigration programs:

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Express Entry program is a point-based immigration program where in order to be eligible, candidates are required to score a minimum of 67 points out of 100 in the FSWP point assessment grid. These points are awarded based on the following factors:

Age – Maximum 12 points are awarded to the candidates between the age group of 18-35 years. You start losing one point every year after the age of 35 years.

Education – Maximum 25 points are awarded in this category.

Work Experience – Maximum 15 points are awarded in this category and you need at least 1 year of experience in a skilled occupation that is categorized under Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) skill type-level A, O, or B.

Language Proficiency – Maximum 28 points are awarded, where 24 points are for IELTS and 4 points are for TEF.

Arranged Employment – Maximum 10 points are awarded in this category if you are able to get a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Adaptability – Maximum 10 points are awarded if your spouse is also accompanying you in the application.

Calculate your Canada PR Visa 67 points with our 67 points calculator!!

What if I qualify for the Express Entry program with 67 points or more?

If you are qualified enough to score 67 points, you can start your ECA and IELTS processing to submit your application under the express entry program. On clearing the CRS score cut-offs, you will get an ITA to submit your application for a Canada PR Visa through direct invitation.

What is the Step by step Canada PR Visa process?

Following are simple steps to apply for Canada PR Visa:

Step 1 – Get ECA: You have to get your educational credentials assessed by an authorized Canadian Assessing Body to check the equivalency as per Canadian education.

Step 2 – Complete your IELTS Exam: In the second step you need to attain the required IELTS scores or minimum 6 bands in each module of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

Step 3 – Create an Express Entry Profile: Applicants will be required to create an Express Entry profile by registering themselves under the Federal government’s Express Entry program online. Express Entry profile is then submitted into the Express Entry pool.

Step 4 – Apply for PNPs (Optional): In case the applicant wants to apply for a provincial nominee program, they can wait for an NOI or interest letter to apply under a PNP.

Step 5 – Get an ITA: Once the applicant is able to clear the minimum required CRS score, they are issued the Invitation to Apply (ITA). Once they have the ITA, the applicant has 60 days to submit their application to IRCC with all the required documents.

Step 6 – Medical and PCC: Applicants must undergo a medical examination as a mandatory requirement to apply for Canada PR Visa. Candidate must also obtain a PCC – Police Clearance Certificate.

Step 7 – Application reviewed by IRCC: IRCC will review the Canada PR application by doing a background check and assess all the submitted documents. This process takes around 4 to 6 months.

Step 8 – The biometric fee – Applicant receives a request for biometric and fingerprints.

Step 9 – Passport Submission request & COPR – You receive a request to submit your passport for visa stamping and soon after that you get the Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR).

How can you lose PR Visa Status?

You can lose your Canada permanent resident status due to the following reasons:

Become a canadian citizen
Give up (renounce) your PR Status
Become inadmissible to Canada

Although Canada immigration is quite a long and complex process, you can get in touch with an immigration expert to apply for a Canada PR Visa to save time and to make this job easy for you.