The Canada Express Entry refers to an online system that the Canadian government has implemented to manage immigration applications from skilled workers who want to settle in Canada permanently and contribute to the economy. It was designed to simplify the previous rather cumbersome process of applying for permanent residency and streamline the selection of eligible candidates.
If you have never visited Canada and you would first like to explore the country for a while before making a decision, we recommend that you apply for a Canadian eTA and enter the country as a tourist before taking the final plunge.
What are the 3 main types of Canadian Express Entry programs?
The current system consists of 3 main economic programs run by the federal government:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program or the FSWP: This is aimed at skilled workers with at least a year of uninterrupted full-time or equivalent paid work experience in a skilled occupation within the last 10 years, have validated language ability, and a Canadian post-secondary degree or equivalent.
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For skilled workers with a minimum of 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years, and who meet the required language levels.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled workers with at least two years of full-time experience working in a skilled trade within the last 5 years, validated language ability, and a Canadian post-secondary degree or equivalent.
In addition to these programs, candidates can also apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), which allows provinces and territories to nominate people who would like to immigrate to Canada and who would like to settle in a specific province.
To successfully submit their profile via the Express Entry system, candidates have to meet the eligibility requirements linked to at least one of the 3 federal programs. The application process includes the following steps:
- Find out if you’re eligible: Candidates can determine their eligibility by answering a few questions or consulting with an immigration expert.
- Create and submit a profile: Prospective applicants should also set up a secure IRCC account and submit the electronic form that includes their personal info, work experience, education, language skills, and other relevant information.
- Get your documents ready: Applicants also need to provide documents such as language test results, education assessments, job offers, police certificates, and medical exams.
- Wait in the pool and receive invitations to apply: Candidates are then ranked in the system’s Express Entry pool by utilizing CRS (the Comprehensive Ranking System, a points-based system that assesses and scores their profiles.
To be invited, a candidate has to have a score above the minimum points score for their round of invitations.
- Apply for permanent residence: If invited, a candidate has to fill out the application form, upload his or her documents, pay the necessary fees, and submit the application.
- Confirm permanent resident status and settle in Canada: If the application is approved, candidates will receive confirmation of their permanent resident status and can then proceed with settling in Canada.
Express Entry remains open for applicants who want to submit their profile year-round. More or less once every two weeks, the Canadian government sends out a new round of invitations to candidates who have added their profile to the Express Entry pool and who have the minimum points score that is required for each round of invitations.
What are the eligibility requirements for Canada express entry?
To be eligible for the Canada Express Entry, you must meet the criteria of at least one of the following federal government programs:
The FSWP or Federal Skilled Worker Program: To qualify for this program, you have to meet the following minimum criteria:
- A minimum of 1 year of uninterrupted full-time (or equivalent) paid employment experience in what qualifies as a skilled occupation within the previous 10 years.
- Validated language proficiency of intermediate or higher in English or French.
- A Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate, or a foreign degree, diploma, or certificate assessed by a designated organization.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): To be eligible, applicants should have one or more years of qualifying Canadian employment experience within the last 3 years.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): To qualify for this program, you should meet the following minimum requirements:
- At least 2 years of full-time, uninterrupted paid work experience (or the equivalent) in a skilled job over the last 5 years.
- Validated intermediate (or better) language skills in French or English.
- A Canadian post-secondary degree, diploma, or certificate, or a foreign degree, diploma, or certificate assessed by a designated organization.
In addition to these minimum requirements, you should also meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You have to be at least 18 years old.
- Have a valid passport or other acceptable type of travel document.
- Be admissible to Canada.
- Have enough money to settle in the country.
To qualify for applying under the FSWP or Federal Skilled Worker Program, a candidate should first achieve a minimum score of 67 on the eligibility points grid of the FSW. Once you have qualified as an FSW candidate, or as a candidate for the CED or Canadian Experience Class, or the FSTP (Federal Skilled Trades Program), you also qualify to apply for the PNP (Provincial Nominee Program) via Express Entry.
If you’re nominated, you’ll get extra points, so you can be invited to apply quickly.
What documents are required for an Express Entry Program application?
To apply for permanent residence through the Canada Express Entry program, you need to provide various documents at different stages of the application process. Here are the documents required for an Express Entry application:
Documents for your profile:
- A passport or other acceptable type of travel document
- Language test results
- Proof of relationship to a relative in Canada
- Digital photos to confirm your identity
- Other name to confirm aliases
- Authority to release personal information to a designated individual form (PDF, 1.74 MB)
- Any other documentation that you believe could be relevant to your application
Documents for your application for permanent residence:
- Police clearance certificates
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Birth certificate, if you’re declaring dependent children
- Proof of having received a Canadian education or otherwise an educational credential assessment report for the purposes of immigration
- Provincial nomination (if you have one)
- A written job offer from a Canadian employer (should you have one)
- Proof of work experience
- Certificate of qualification in a specific trade that was issued by a Canadian territory or province (where applicable)
Please note that these documents are mandatory and have to be provided by every applicant. If an application is rejected as incomplete, the applicant must submit a new Express Entry profile through their online account to be considered again.
What are the costs involved with applying for Canada PR under Express Entry?
The cost involved with applying for Canada PR under the Express Entry program includes various fees and expenses. Here is a breakdown:
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): The average cost for an ECA is $200.
- Biometrics: The biometrics fee is $85 per person.
- Government fees: The government fees for processing permanent residence applications are $1,365 for a single applicant and $2,300 for a couple.
- Medical examination fees: The cost of medical examinations varies depending on the provider.
- Police background check fees: The cost of police background checks also varies depending on the provider.
- Immigration fees for provincial programs: If someone applies via a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), he or she might also have to pay additional fees.
- Settlement funds: Unless your application is submitted under Canada’s Experience Class program, you will be asked to prove that you have the financial means to support your resettlement in the country.
Please also note that these costs are subject to change and may vary depending on individual circumstances. Researching and planning for these expenses is essential when applying for Canada PR under the Express Entry program.
What exactly is meant by the term Express Entry Draw?
An Express Entry Draw is a process implemented by Canada’s federal government to select candidates for immigration to that country via its Express Entry system. The system manages applications for 3 economic programs run by the federal government: the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), the FSWP or Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). An Express Entry draw usually takes place more or less once every two weeks.
During an Express Entry draw, candidates are selected based on their score in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This points-based system assesses and scores candidates’ profiles. The CRS score is calculated based on various factors, including age, work experience, education, language proficiency, and other relevant information.
The lowest accepted CRS score varies with each Express Entry draw, depending on the number of candidates in the pool, the immigration targets set by the Canadian government, the program, or even the specific category. For example, the lowest ever accepted CRS score was 75 in a CEC draw that took place in February 2021.
Once selected, candidates are invited to submit an application for permanent residence. They are given 60 days to complete and submit an official electronic Application for Permanent Residence. Potential immigrants must monitor Express Entry draws and stay informed about the latest draw results and CRS cut-off scores.
If I enter Canada with an eTA and a company offers me a job during my visit, what should I do?
If you enter Canada with an eTA and a company offers you a job during your visit, it’s important to note that you cannot work in Canada on an eTA alone. To work in that country, you would need to obtain the relevant work visa or a business eTA, depending on your circumstances. Therefore, if you receive a job offer while in Canada, you should ensure that you have the necessary work authorization before engaging in any work activities.
It’s essential to adhere to the specific immigration and work authorization requirements for Canada, and obtaining a job offer while in Canada would not automatically grant you the right to work without the appropriate authorization.
In this regard, we recommend that you contact a reputable company such as canada-eta.com to learn more about the eTA program and what you can and can not do while visiting Canada with an eTA.