Canadian Express Entry Immigration
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The Express Entry system allows foreign skilled workers to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The categories of applications that fall within the Express Entry include the Federal Skilled Worker Category, the Federal Skilled Trades Category, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Programs. In order to apply under these categories, qualified foreign applicants must first register an expression of interest with the Express Entry then wait to see if they are invited to apply for permanent residence. 

There is no requirement to have a job offer in Canada to apply under the Express Entry, the applicant’s qualifications will be assessed on the basis of their ability to become economically established in Canada, including their education, skilled work experience, and ability to speak English or French, among other factors.

 

Express Entry Canadian Experience Class

Canadian Experience Class

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a type of application for permanent residence for foreign workers living in Canada.

To qualify under this category, you must have obtained the equivalent of at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years. You must also show English or French language abilities commensurate with the skill level of your work experience. To apply under the CEC, you must register through the Express Entry system and wait to be invited to apply for permanent residence.

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Express Entry Foreign Skilled Worker Class

Federal Skilled Workers Class

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) allows those who have at least one year of skilled work experience to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Under this program, applicants must meet minimum levels of education, skilled work experience, and language skills. Applicants are also assessed based on their age, adaptability to settle in Canada, and whether they have a valid job offer.

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Provincial Nomination Program

Each of Canada’s ten provinces have their own small immigration program with each province or territory having their own criteria.

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Express Entry - Federal Skilled Trades Class

Federal Skilled Trades Class

Allows skilled workers in the construction and manufacturing sectors to work in Canada and to settle under permanent resident visas.

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See if you are qualified for Express Entry Immigration

Calculate your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score by filling out our FREE Express Entry CRS
calculator.

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How Does Express Entry Work?

The Express Entry program allows for the submission of expressions of interest in immigrating to Canada for certain types of economic programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Category, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Category. The Provincial Nominee Programs can also draw applicants from this system.

After applying for Express Entry, you are placed in a pool with all the other applicants. Immigration candidates are ranked against each other, and the immigration authorities will periodically draw from the pool. Those with the highest scores will then receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.

You do not need a job offer in Canada in order to apply under the Express Entry. Rather, the immigration authorities will look at a range of qualifications to decide who will be selected for immigration to Canada, including the applicant’s age, level of education, language ability, and work experience, among other factors.

Step 1: Create an Express Entry Profile

Express Entry Create Profile

Express Entry consists of a 2-step process. First, you create an Express Entry profile, providing information on your education, work experience, language, and other skills. Once you submit your profile, you will be placed in a pool of candidates. Candidates are ranked through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and top-ranking candidates are regularly invited to apply for permanent residence. Our Canada Express Entry Calculator can help you determine how many points you would likely receive.

Step 2: Invitation To Apply (ITA)

Candidates within the Express Entry system are ranked against each other based on a point system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS measures factors such as age, work experience, language skills, valid job offers and education, among other factors. Your score is calculated by assigning points to the above factors. It is possible to earn additional points for thing such as receiving a provincial nomination. The total amount of points available, and thus the highest CRS score one can obtain, is 1200.

Every few weeks, those with the highest CRS scores will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Previous rounds of invitations (express entry draws), and the score needed to get an ITA can be viewed here. The score required to receive an ITA depends on the number of people in the pool, the qualifications of those people, and the number of invitations being given out. Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit an online application for permanent residence. Once received, the immigration authorities try to process these applications for permanent residence within six months.

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Express entry draws take place regularly, usually every two weeks or so. Each draw is accompanied by Minister’s Instructions, a document that includes the date and time of the draw, the number of candidates that will be drawn, and which specific program(s) will be included in the draw. After each draw, they publish what was the lowest score accepted.

If you continue to qualify under one of the above-mentioned immigration streams, and you are still interested in permanent residence, you can re-apply to the Express Entry pool.

We Can Help You Get Permanent Residence

Here’s how we can help you:

  • Formulate a strategy based on your particular circumstances
  • Collect and review supporting documentation to sufficiently establish your qualifications
  • Prepare you for any requested interviews
  • Provide expert legal submissions in support of your application
  • Communicate with the immigration authorities on your behalf to ensure you don’t miss anything, which could lead to significant delays

The Law Office of Matthew Jeffery has years of experience assisting clients with Express Entry applications. If you are qualified and would like assistance in applying for Express Entry, or have received an ITA and would like assistance submitting an application for permanent residence, please contact us for further information. You can also complete our FREE Express Entry Calculator to see if you are qualified to apply under the Express Entry.

CALCULATE YOUR CRS SCORE

Common Refusal Reasons for Express Entry Applications

One common scenario that leads to Express Entry refusal is when you fail to provide your work experience properly. Your application may also be refused if you do not attach the right supporting documents. You may also face a refusal if the immigration officer is unsure about certain elements in your application such as your job duties.

Another scenario is when you have inconsistencies or mistakes such as adding a work experience that you had not included 5 years ago in previous applications. Immigration officers check the slightest details so you must ensure that there are no inconsistencies. Lack of proper supporting documentation can also lead to refusal. The Immigration Law Firm of Matthew Jeffery has years of experience in skilled workers cases with high success rate and we can assist you with your application.

Factors In The CRS Scoring

Education

Applicants are awarded points based on their highest level of education, ranging from 5 points for a secondary school credential to 25 points for a Ph.D. If your formal education was conducted outside of Canada, you will also need to submit a Canadian equivalency assessment report from an approved agency.

Language Proficiency

Applicants under the Skilled Worker category must prove their language proficiency in English and/or French in order to obtain these points. This requires you to provide the results of an approved language test as part of your application. You will be tested and separately scored on your speaking, reading, writing, and listening abilities. To be valid, you must have taken your language test within the last two years of applying.

Work Experience

Skilled Worker applicants receive additional points for each year that they have worked, for up to six years. The work experience must be in what is considered a skilled job, and must be equivalent to full-time experience. You can check whether your work experience is considered a skilled job in the NOC listing. 

Arranged Employment

If the Skilled Worker applicant is in Canada with a work permit that was obtained on the basis of a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and the applicant’s employer is willing to employ them on a permanent basis, then the applicant will obtain points for having arranged employment in Canada. If the applicant is not working in Canada but has an offer of employment based on an LMIA, then points will also be awarded.

Age

Applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 receive the full amount of points allowed for this category. Applicants lose one point per year that they are above the age of 35. For example, if you are 40 years old, you will have 5 points deducted from your age score.

Adaptability

Applicants can also receive additional points for adaptability. These points are awarded for things like having arranged employment, work or study experience in Canada by the applicant or their spouse, or having a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.

Express Entry Vs. Other Immigration Programs:

When contemplating immigration to Canada, potential applicants are met with a myriad of pathways. Each pathway is curated for specific types of applicants, and while some provide fast processing, others offer a higher chance of approval based on individual circumstances.

Express Entry is the federal government’s flagship program for skilled immigrants. It was introduced in 2015 to address the labor market shortages and ensure a smoother, faster immigration process.

Pros of Express Entry:

  1. Speed: Historically, many immigration pathways experienced backlogs, leading to long waiting periods for applicants. Express Entry, on the other hand, boasts a processing time of typically six months for most applications.
  2. Point-Based System: The CRS, a transparent ranking system, lets candidates know precisely where they stand. As their circumstances or credentials change, such as acquiring more work experience or improving language scores, they can see their potential rise in ranking.
  3. Flexibility: The absence of a mandatory job offer means candidates have a wider range of opportunities. While a job offer provides a significant points boost, many candidates have received invitations without one.

Cons of Express Entry:

  1. Competition: The program’s efficiency and popularity make it highly competitive. Those with scores around the minimum threshold may find it challenging to receive an invitation to apply.
  2. Fluctuating Cut-Off: The CRS cut-off score for invitations varies with each draw, making it unpredictable.

Other Immigration Programs like the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, and the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, cater to specific provinces or regions and might have a more focused approach. For instance, the PNP allows provinces to nominate individuals who wish to migrate and settle in a specific province. While they might offer more chances for candidates with lower CRS scores or specific skill sets, they can be restrictive in terms of settlement location or slower in processing.

Legal Insights into Express Entry:

The Express Entry program, with its modern approach to immigration, brings forth a collection of legal aspects that every applicant should understand.

  1. No Occupation List, But…: Earlier immigration programs required candidates to have experience in specific occupations to qualify. While Express Entry has abolished this list, some caps might exist, especially for trades in the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
  2. Proof of Funds: This is a crucial component. Every Express Entry applicant, unless they have a secured job offer, must prove they have enough funds to support themselves and their family in Canada. The required amount changes based on family size.
  3. Inadmissibility: Canada doesn’t compromise on the safety and security of its residents. Applicants with criminal histories, certain medical conditions, or those who misrepresent information can be deemed inadmissible.

It’s paramount for candidates to understand the legal nuances. Missteps can lead to application refusals or even bans from reapplying. This underscores the importance of possibly seeking counsel from immigration attorneys or consultants familiar with Canadian immigration intricacies.

Why Choose the Express Entry Program:

Canada’s Express Entry program stands out as a beacon of efficiency, transparency, and flexibility in the vast ocean of global immigration pathways.

  1. Efficiency: Traditional immigration routes, mired by paperwork and lengthy processing times, often left applicants in the lurch. Express Entry, with its digitized approach, sidesteps these issues.
  2. Transparency: The CRS, a clear points-based system, demystifies the selection process. Candidates can actively work on improving their scores, knowing exactly what impacts their chances.
  3. Flexibility: Traditional routes often tethered candidates to specific job offers or employers. Express Entry, in contrast, offers candidates the freedom to choose their pathway, making the entire process less restrictive.

 

Components of Express Entry Program:

Navigating Express Entry involves understanding its four core components.

  1. Express Entry Pool: Prospective immigrants initiate their journey here, entering their details into an online profile. This profile captures their skills, work experience, language proficiency, and more.
  2. CRS: Once in the pool, every applicant is ranked based on their profile using the CRS. Factors like age, education, and work experience play pivotal roles in determining this score.
  3. Express Entry Draws: Typically, every two weeks, IRCC sifts through the pool to select candidates. Those with the highest CRS scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.
  4. Permanent Residency Application: Post-ITA, the onus shifts back to the candidates. They must compile and submit a detailed application within 60 days, showcasing all their credentials.

Each component is a step forward in the journey, getting candidates closer to their Canadian dream.

Common Questions About Express Entry Program

Once the Express Entry application has been submitted, processing times can take about one year, depending on the workload and priorities of the immigration authorities. Those who wish to remain working in Canada while the application is being processed may be able to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

Previous rounds of invitations (express entry draws), and the score needed to get an ITA can be viewed here. The score required to receive an ITA depends on the number of people in the pool, the qualifications of those people, and the number of invitations being given out.

For example, September 14, 2021 round of invitations, 2000 invitations were issued for the Canadian Experience Class. The lowest ranking candidate invited had a CRS score of 462. In the January 5, 2022 round of invitations, 392 invitations were issued for the Provincial Nominee Program. The lowest ranking candidate invited had a CRS score of 808.

There may be several ways for you to improve your score. You can even improve your score while waiting in the pool and updating your profile with your new information.

» Learn on how to improve your CRS score.

“Full-time” employment is defined as at least 30 hours per week. These hours can be met through a single full-time position, or through multiple part time work. For example, working 30 hours a week for one year, or working 15 hours a week for two years, will both count as one year of full-time experience. However, the one year of full-time experience must be achieved within a three-year time frame.

Your work experience must be skilled. Occupations that fall under Skill Type 0, or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC), are considered to be skilled by the immigration authorities. Generally speaking, skilled work is work that requires some level of education or special training in order to perform. The work experience can be in any skilled occupation. The experience can be with multiple jobs and/or with multiple employers and does not need to be continuous, as long as it adds up to the required one year of skilled experience within three years.

No. Unfortunately, the required work experience cannot have been earned through self-employment, even if the self-employment was skilled and documented. All applicants are required to provide satisfactory evidence of their work experience, including the fact that they were in an employer-employee relationship during their period of qualifying work experience.

No. Unfortunately, the required work experience cannot have been earned while you were a student. Only work experience gained after the completion of the course of study can be considered. Full-time students who have completed a course of study at a Designated Learning Institute in Canada may be able to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). A PGWP allows you to work for any employer willing to hire you. After working for one year in a skilled occupation on a PGWP, you may be eligible to apply for Express Entry under the CEC stream.

Another requirement for Express Entry is that the applicant must be either moderately or highly proficient in English or French. All applicants must complete a language test to prove their abilities, regardless of whether they come from an English or French speaking country.

The Provincial Nominee Program allows provinces and territories in Canada to nominate individuals for immigration to their specific regions based on their specific needs. Some PNP streams are aligned with Express Entry, and receiving a provincial nomination can grant an applicant an additional 600 points on their CRS score, greatly increasing their chances of receiving an ITA.

Yes, if your circumstances change (for instance, you gain more work experience, improve your language scores, or achieve higher education), you can update your Express Entry profile. However, once you receive an ITA, you must ensure that all the information in your profile remains accurate when you submit your final application.

If you decline an ITA, your profile will go back into the Express Entry pool, and you can potentially receive another ITA in future draws. Declining an ITA won’t have a negative impact on whether you receive another ITA later.

While there isn’t a strict age limit to enter the Express Entry pool, age is a factor in the Comprehensive Ranking System. Applicants receive CRS points for age up until 45 years old. After this, the number of points awarded for age starts decreasing, making it potentially more challenging to secure an ITA with increasing age.

What is Express Entry?

In 2015, Express Entry system was introduced in Canada and it allowed all skilled workers or tradesmen persons who are interested in immigrating to Canada to have their applications processed faster than ever. Watch this video that briefly gives a quick overview on how the Express Entry program works.

Download Express Entry FAQ Guide

Express Entry Success Stories

Google Review - Brett Power

Matthew Jeffery and his team were instrumental in assisting me with my Express Entry application and then with my Permanent Residency Application. From the moment I met with them in their Toronto office until the time my Permanent Residency Application was approved everything was done smoothly and well within the timeframes. Matthew and his staff were always available and kept me updated on my application progress. I would highly recommend Matthew Jeffery as a competent, professional and caring Immigration Lawyer for all of your Canadian Immigration needs!
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Brett P

Google Review

My friend who immigrated to Canada in 2015 suggested me to talk to Matthew. I called him over the skype and we discussed my options, he suggested Express Entry program, helped me collect all documents. I came to Canada 6 months after. Thank you Matthew Jeffery for helping me!
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Ruslan E

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Google Review - Kirill Nikolaev

Had a great experience working with Mr. Jeffery. Got help with LMIA, work permit, express entry and permanent resident applications. Everything was done in the most professional and fast way. Got answers to all the questions, all paperwork was done in very organized manner, met all the deadlines. Strongly recommend the office, they're doing great job.
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Kirill N

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