Express Entry
Express Entry
The Express Entry system is a Canadian immigration program that was introduced in 2015. It is an online system used to manage applications for permanent residence in Canada under certain economic immigration programs, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
The Express Entry system uses a points-based system to assess and rank candidates based on factors such as their work experience, education, and language proficiency. Candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria are placed in a pool, and the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the pool.
Express Entry is not a visa program, it’s a system that the Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses to manage and select applications for three of its federal economic immigration programs. The system is only used to select candidates for permanent residence, not for temporary residence (visitor visa, student visa, etc.). The selected candidates will be able to submit their full application to the Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
How Does Express Entry Work?
The Express Entry system operates on a points-based system, known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Candidates are assessed based on various factors such as their work experience, education, language proficiency (English and/or French), age, and other factors. These factors are then assigned a certain number of points, and the candidate’s total score is used to rank them in the Express Entry pool.
The process begins with the candidate creating an Express Entry profile, which is then assessed to determine if the candidate meets the minimum eligibility criteria for one of the immigration programs managed by Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class).
If the candidate is found to be eligible, they are placed in the Express Entry pool. Regular draws are held from the pool, and the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence. The government of Canada conducts these draws regularly, usually every 2 weeks. There were some abruptions during COVID 19 but IRCC always tends to get back on previous track.
The processing time for Express Entry can vary depending on the specific immigration program that the candidate is applying for and the volume of applications being processed. In general, the processing time for an Express Entry application can range from six months to one year or more. Candidates with a higher CRS score and complete documentation will be processed faster than others.
It’s important to note that Express Entry is not a guarantee of getting the permanent residence and the candidates need to meet additional requirements as per the immigration program they are selected for.
What is CRS? (Comprehensive Ranking Score)
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a point-based system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to assess and rank Express Entry candidates. The CRS assigns points to candidates based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors. Candidates are then ranked against each other based on their total CRS score, with the highest-scoring candidates being invited to apply for permanent residence. The CRS is used to select candidates for the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class programs.
How To Increase Your CRS? (Comprehensive Ranking Score)
There are several ways to increase your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score when applying for Express Entry through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Some of the ways include:
1. Improving your language proficiency: A higher score in English or French language proficiency can add a significant amount of points to your CRS score.
2. Obtaining a valid job offer: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can add up to 600 points to your CRS score.
3. Obtaining a provincial nomination: If a province or territory nominates you for permanent residence, it will add an additional 600 points to your CRS score.
4. Increasing your work experience: If you have more work experience, you will receive more points in the CRS.
5. Having a spouse or common-law partner with language proficiency and/or education: If your spouse or common-law partner has higher language proficiency and/or education, it can increase your CRS score.
One of the major factors that can increase CRS score is having a valid job offer. This is particularly beneficial for those who are unable to change their age or upgrade their education. A valid job offer from a Canadian employer demonstrates to IRCC that you have the skills and qualifications that are in demand in Canada, and that you are likely to integrate well into the Canadian workforce and economy. This can greatly increase your chances of being selected for
permanent residence.
Three Programs In Express Entry
67 Point Selection Grid
The 67-point grid for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) in Canadian immigration is a system used to assess the eligibility of candidates for the program. Candidates are awarded points based on six selection factors: education, language proficiency, work experience, age, arranged employment, and adaptability.
The total number of points that can be awarded is 67, with a minimum pass mark of 67 points. The breakdown of the 67 points is as follows:
- Education: Maximum of 25 points
- Language proficiency: Maximum of 24 points (first official language) and Maximum of 4 points (second official language) Maximum of 28 points
- Work experience: Maximum of 15 points
- Age: Maximum of 12 points
- Arranged employment: Maximum of 10 points
- Adaptability: Maximum of 10 points
To be eligible for the FSWP, candidates must score at least 67 points out of 100 on the selection grid. Additionally, the candidate must pass a language test from a designated agency, and have at least one year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in a single occupation.
It’s important to note that the above numbers are the maximum points that can be awarded, and not all the candidates will be able to achieve the maximum points. The points awarded to each candidate will depend on their specific qualifications and background.
The six selection factors for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) of Canadian immigration are:
- Foreign nationals are awarded points for their level of education, including the completion of a Ph.D., Master’s degree, or Bachelor’s degree.
- Language Proficiency: Candidates are awarded points for their proficiency in English and/or French, the official languages of Canada.
- Work Experience: Candidates are awarded points for their work experience, including the number of years they have spent in a skilled occupation, and the relevance of their work experience to the Canadian labour market.
- Age: Candidates are awarded points for being in the age range that is most likely to successfully establish themselves in Canada.
- Arranged Employment: Candidates are awarded points if they have a job offer from a Canadian employer or a valid work permit.
- Adaptability: Candidates are awarded points for their ability to adapt to life in Canada, based on factors such as their previous work or study experience in Canada, a relative living in Canada, or a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
The above selection factors are designed to assess the candidates’ ability to establish themselves economically in Canada. The total points scored by the candidate in these selection factors will determine the candidate’s ranking in the Express Entry pool, with the highest-ranking candidates being invited to apply for permanent residence.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a Canadian immigration program that allows individuals with specific skilled trade qualifications and experience to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. The program is designed to meet the needs of the Canadian labor market by filling in the shortage of skilled workers in certain trades.
To be eligible for the FSTP, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Have at least two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years
Meet the job requirements for the skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Have a valid job offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
Pass a language test from a designated agency and meet the minimum level of language proficiency in English or French.
The FSTP operates through the Express Entry system, which is a points-based system that assesses and ranks candidates based on factors such as their work experience, language proficiency, and other factors. Candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria are placed in the Express Entry pool, and the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the pool. For a while there were no specific draws were drawn during COVID 19 and sometimes after.
It’s important to note that the FSTP is one of the Canadian immigration programs that is managed by Express Entry, but it’s not the only one. The other programs managed by Express Entry are the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a Canadian immigration program that allows individuals who have previously worked or studied in Canada to apply for permanent residence. The program is designed to help individuals who have already established themselves in Canada and have experience adapting to Canadian society to become permanent residents.
To be eligible for the CEC, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Have at least 12 months of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the last three years before the date of application.
Meet the language requirements for the skilled work experience, with at least CLB/NCLC 7 in English or French in all four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing and listening) for occupations under TEER 0 and 1 and CLB/NCLC 5 in English or French in all four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing and listening) for occupations under TEER 2 and 3.
Have completed their Canadian work experience while holding a valid work permit in one or more occupations other than a restricted occupation, that are listed in TEER Category 0, 1, 2, and 3 and have not been self-employed or working as a business owner during this time.
The CEC operates through the Express Entry system, which is a points-based system that assesses and ranks candidates based on factors such as their work experience, language proficiency, and other factors. Candidates who meet the minimum eligibility criteria are placed in the Express Entry pool, and the highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residence through regular draws from the pool.
It’s important to note that the CEC is one of the Canadian immigration programs that is managed by Express Entry, but it’s not the only one. The other programs managed by Express Entry are the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Note: Calculation of hours per week, total number of hours in one year and how to calculate half or full time work week accounted for in Canadian Experience Class is not hard but little tricky so we highly recommend you to consult with us to avoid future complications in your application.