Are you planning to move into Canada? Maybe you do not know, the express entry program has been the most reliable immigration program used by foreign workers who are talented and skilled, to move into the country and begin a new life for themselves and their family. In this article, we will gather all the information and guidelines you will need to be eligible for the express entry program, including all the steps involved to successfully apply for the program.
What’s Canada Express Entry System?
Canada Express entry system is an online immigration system which was established to control the inflow of foreign workers for the application of permanent residency via the Immigration Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal. The program is aimed at attracting skilled and extraordinarily talented workers who can make an immense contribution to the country’s economy and establish new innovations and developments.
How does Express Entry work?
The Canadian express entry operations are mostly online actions. This begins by creating an online profile, providing all the basic information like work experience, language proficiency test results requested on the portal. Your submitted profile will be reviewed and put for scoring using the comprehensive ranking system(CRS). Each candidate will receive a CRS score based on their profile which later decides their ranking in the express entry pool. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin the draw, inviting candidates with the highest score to submit their complete application.
List of Programs Under the Express Entry System
Below are the list of immigration programs covered by express entry:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This type of program is for skilled and talented workers with either a year or more work experience in the specific field. Other requirements and criteria are:
- Age: There is no specific age limit to apply for this program but if you are in the age group of 25-35 years old, you have a higher chance of success than others.
- Education: This program requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a recognized university and or college in the type of field you are applying for.
- Work experience: You will need at least two years of continuous work experience in any of the occupations listed in the national occupation of Canada.
- Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in either English or French language i.e being able to speak, write, and understand the language fluently. You may have to undergo a language exam or test like TEF, CELPIP, IELTS, etc
- Points System: You must be able to score above the minimum mark – 67 points out of 100 which will be calculated using factors like work experience, language proficiency, educational level, etc.
- Police Clearance certificate: Every applicant will be asked to submit a police clearance report to show that you are healthy before applying for the role.
- Medical exam: You may have to undergo a medical exam to prove that you are healthy.
- Examples of documents needed for this program: valid ID passport, language test results, medical exam results, etc.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This type of program is for individuals who are skilled in one trade skill or the other like plumbers, mechanics, etc. The eligibility criteria and requirements for this program are:
- Age: You must be at least 18 years and old to work in the country.
- Work experience: You will need a work experience of at least two years in a skilled trade occupation, such as HVAC technicians, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, automotive technicians, etc.
- Language proficiency: You must be able to speak, understand, and communicate effectively with the English or French language. You must also possess a language exam or test result with a CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Examples of documents needed for this program are: language exam results, valid ID passport, etc.
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3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC); This type of program is designed for skilled workers that have Canadian work experience in the last five years. The eligibility criteria and requirements for this program include:
- Work experience: This program requires you to have at least a year of work experience in Canada in any of the approved occupations in the NOC list.
- Language proficiency: You will need a language proficiency test results of CLB 7 for occupation in NOC 0 and NOC A list and CLB 5 for NOC B list.
- Valid work permit: You must have a valid work permit which allows you to work
- Examples of documents needed for your Canadian class experience: valid ID passport, language test results, work permit, etc.
How to Apply for an Express Entry Program
Here are the steps to apply for an express entry program:
Step 1: Check your Eligibility
- There are three programs under the express entry system which include: federal skilled worker program, federal skilled trades program, Canadian experience class, etc.
- Before you apply for any of these programs, ensure you meet up with all the requirements and criteria for the program.
Step 2: Gather your Documents
- To be successful with your application, get all the requested documents in the right format.
- Gather documents like language exam results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, etc.), Proof of work experience (such as payment receipt, employment letters), Educational credentials assessment, valid ID passport, police clearance certificate, etc.
Step 3: Create your Express Entry Profile
- Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
- Create an online account on the website and fill in your information.
- Ensure you submit all the requested documents including your education credentials.
- You will receive a comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- You will have to wait for the result of the draw.
- If you are selected, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
Step 5: Submit your Application
- The application fee for a Canadian permanent residency via the express entry is about 1,525 Canadian dollars for the applicant but other fees will be charged if there are accompanying family members.
- You can go ahead to submit your application for permanent residency once you have confirmed that there is no error or mistake in your application.
- Remember that your application for permanent residency must be submitted within 60 days after an ITA has been received.
Step 6: The processing times
- During this time, the immigration refugee and citizenship Canada will review all applications and select the best applicants.
- Additional information, documents or verification may be asked to.
- If your application is successful you will receive a confirmation message and the next line of action.
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Top Tips for Express Entry Application
Below are the important tips to apply for an express entry system:
- Choose the Right Programs: For any of the programs you have chosen to apply for, ensure that you meet all the requirements and criteria for the program before starting your application.
- Get your documents ready: Ensure that you get all the documents you need to process your application in the requested format.
- Monitor your CRS score (Comprehensive Ranking Score): You must monitor your CRS score, by filling out all the information and documents needed to increase your chance of success.
- Follow up: You must respond to all kinds of requests, messages, updates from the IRCC. Quick response to their requests will hasten the application process.
If you can follow the above tips, it will help you to successfully apply for an express entry program and become a permanent resident in the country.
Benefits of Express Entry System
The benefits of an express entry system include the following:
Benefits to skilled workers
- Faster Processing times: The processing time for an express entry system is much faster than others as it is processed within six months. This allows the skilled workers to start their new life.
- Increased Chances of Selection: The express entry system is a fair system for every applicant because every applicant has the same chance of getting picked during the draws especially when they can provide all the requirements.
- Streamlined Application Process: The express entry system is an online based application system. This has made the system efficient and easy to navigate for all foreign workers.
- Easy accessibility: The express entry system gives easy access to all foreign workers to apply for a permanent residency without having a job offer from a Canadian employer.
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Benefits to the Canadian Economy
- Promoting Economic Growth: The Canada express entry program helps the public and private sector in the country to grow due to the flow of skilled and talented workers who are ready to contribute towards the growth of the firm.
- Provision of Manpower to the lacking sector: Many sectors in the country need more manpower in their department to meet up with demands of their sector. The migration of skilled workers into the country will help to reduce the labour shortages in the country.
- Meeting the Labour Market Specific needs: The public and private sector is able to meet the needs of their economy while they permit the entry of skilled workers into their workforce.
Conclusion
The Canada express entry program is designed for all types of workers i.e either skilled workers or trade people who are ready to work and live in the country. With the fair and transparent CRS system, the express entry system provides an equal chance to everyone to start a new life in Canada.