What is Canada's Express Entry System?
Express Entry is an online immigration system introduced by the Canadian government in January 2015 to manage applications for federal economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It serves as a streamlined pathway for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. The system uses a points-based approach known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank candidates based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency in English or French, and additional factors like a valid job offer or a provincial nomination.
To participate in Express Entry, candidates must first determine their eligibility for one of the three programs. Eligible candidates create an online profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website, where they provide detailed information about their skills, work experience, education, and language abilities. Based on this information, they receive a CRS score. Higher scores enhance the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Approximately every two weeks, IRCC conducts a draw from the pool of candidates, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence.
One of the unique features of Express Entry is its integration with the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Provinces and territories can select candidates from the Express Entry pool to meet local labor market needs, and a provincial nomination significantly boosts the candidate’s CRS score by 600 points, significantly improving their chances of receiving an ITA.
Express Entry has revolutionized the immigration process by making it more efficient and transparent. Most applications are processed within six months, making it one of the fastest routes to permanent residency. The system’s flexibility allows candidates to update their profiles and improve their scores while in the pool, increasing their chances of being selected.
More About Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a crucial component of Canada’s Express Entry immigration system, designed to assess and rank candidates who apply for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). The CRS assigns points to candidates based on a variety of factors that indicate their potential for economic success in Canada. These factors include age, education, work experience, language proficiency in English or French, and additional attributes such as a valid job offer or a provincial nomination.
Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for one of the Express Entry programs create an online profile, providing detailed information about their skills, work experience, education, and language proficiency. The CRS then calculates a score for each candidate based on this information. Points are awarded for core human capital factors (age, education, work experience, and language skills), skill transferability factors (combinations of education, work experience, and language proficiency), and additional factors (such as provincial nominations or valid job offers).
Candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool according to their CRS scores. Approximately every two weeks, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws from the pool, inviting the highest-ranking candidates to apply for permanent residence. Recipients of an Invitation to Apply (ITA) have 60 days to submit a complete application along with all required supporting documents.
The CRS is designed to prioritize candidates who are most likely to succeed economically in Canada. It offers transparency and flexibility, allowing candidates to improve their scores by gaining additional work experience, improving language test results, or securing higher education credentials while in the pool. The system ensures that Canada attracts and retains the best and brightest from around the world, facilitating their integration into the Canadian economy and society.
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is one of Canada’s key immigration pathways, targeting skilled professionals who can contribute to the country’s economy. As part of the Express Entry system, the FSWP offers a streamlined route to permanent residency. Candidates must have at least one year of continuous full-time paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation, demonstrate proficiency in English or French through standardized tests, and possess a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or an equivalent foreign credential. They must also score at least 67 out of 100 points on the selection grid, which evaluates age, education, work experience, language ability, arranged employment, and adaptability.
Eligible candidates create an online Express Entry profile, providing detailed information about their skills, work experience, education, and language proficiency, and receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Candidates are then ranked in the Express Entry pool, and those with the highest scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The process is highly efficient, with most applications processed within six months. Approved candidates and their families become permanent residents, enjoying the benefits of living, working, and studying in Canada, and can eventually apply for citizenship. The FSWP is a gateway to a prosperous future in Canada for skilled workers worldwide.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is an essential pathway for skilled tradespersons seeking permanent residency in Canada. Under the Express Entry system, this program targets individuals with experience in specific trades that are in demand across the country. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French, possess at least two years of full-time work experience in the skilled trade within the last five years, and have a valid job offer of at least one year in Canada or a certificate of qualification in their trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
Candidates eligible for the FSTP create an Express Entry profile, where they detail their work experience, language skills, and educational background. Their profile is assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which determines their ranking in the Express Entry pool. High-ranking candidates may receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence during regular draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Successful applicants under the FSTP can become permanent residents of Canada, allowing them to work and live anywhere in the country while contributing to its thriving trades sectors.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a key immigration pathway for individuals with skilled work experience in Canada who wish to become permanent residents. Part of the Express Entry system, the CEC is designed to facilitate the transition from temporary to permanent residency for those who have already integrated into the Canadian workforce. To qualify, candidates must have at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time skilled work experience in Canada within the last three years and meet the required language proficiency in English or French.
Eligible candidates create an online profile in the Express Entry system, providing information about their Canadian work experience, education, and language proficiency. They are then assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on these factors. Candidates enter the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked against others, with those having the highest scores receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence. The CRS awards points for factors such as age, education, work experience, language skills, and additional points for factors like a provincial nomination or Canadian education credentials.
The process is efficient, with most applications processed within six months. Candidates who receive an ITA have 60 days to submit a complete application, including documents like proof of work experience, language test results, and police certificates. Once approved, candidates and their families become permanent residents, enjoying the benefits of living, working, and studying in Canada. The CEC provides a seamless pathway for skilled workers already contributing to the Canadian economy to build a permanent future in the country.
FAQ
You can improve your CRS score by gaining more work experience, improving language skills, obtaining Canadian education credentials, securing a job offer from a Canadian employer, or receiving a provincial nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications within six months from the date of submission. Processing times can vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the completeness of the application and the volume of applications received.
Definately you can apply for Express Entry without a job offer. While having a valid job offer can increase your CRS score, it is not mandatory to enter the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score can also be boosted by factors such as your age, education, language proficiency, and work experience.
Yes, you can update your Express Entry profile as long as it remains active in the pool. You should update any changes to your work experience, education, language test results, or any other relevant information that could potentially increase your CRS score. It’s important to keep your profile accurate and up to date.
Yes, once you are granted permanent residency through Express Entry, your eligible family members (spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and in some cases, parents or grandparents) can accompany you to Canada as permanent residents. They can live, work, and study in Canada, enjoying the same benefits as you.