Canada's Express Entry system has been around since 2015. It was introduced to help make the visa application process more efficient and simpler.
Every year, over 100,000 foreign skilled workers are invited to apply for permanent residency through programs managed by the Express Entry system. The Canadian government has announced its three-year immigration plan, which aims to invite more than 1.2 million people to immigrate to Canada.
2021 will see 108,500 Express Entry candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to make Canada their new home. And you could be one of them!
Lets take a closer look at this incredible Canadian immigration program and how you can discover whether you meet Canada's Express Entry requirements as well as how to apply.
What Is the Canada Express Entry System?
The Express Entry system was designed to streamline the visa application process for skilled workers wanting to immigrate to Canada. It manages three federal economic immigration programs, each aimed at helping applicants with different skill levels and work experience, find their pathway to Canada.
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) helps highly skilled workers get permanent residency in Canada. Ideal candidates for this program would be professionals who have some form of university or college qualification and work in management, professional and technical jobs such as mine managers, doctors and architects.
2. Federal Skilled Trade Program
The Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) helps skilled trade workers get permanent residency in Canada. Ideal candidates for this program would be trade workers who want to live and work in Canada on a permanent basis and work in jobs such as plumbers, electricians and industrial butchers.
3. Canadian Experience Class Program
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is the perfect Canadian immigration program if you have previous Canadian work experience of at least one year. Unlike the other two programs, you will need a job offer in Canada to qualify.
Express Entry candidates are ranked according to personal factors such as their:
- Age
- Education
- Language Ability (English and/or French
- Work experience (if any)
- Ability to adjust to Canadian life
All applicants will be ranked based on these factors according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and receive a score. Every two weeks, Express Entry draws take place in which the government selects the top scoring candidates to invite to apply for permanent residency in Canada.
What Are the Canada Express Entry Requirements?
Each program under the Express Entry system has its own requirements that need to be met in order to qualify.
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has a prerequisite eligibility requirement. Candidates have to score at least 67 out of a possible 100 FSWP points. This is scored differently to the Express Entry CRS.Below are some of the main requirements for the FSWP.
- Skilled work experience in skill type 0, or level A or B
- Education
- Minimum CLB 7 in language ability (English and/or French)
- Canadian qualification or foreign equivalent thereof with Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Proof of funds to cover you and your family who will be joining you in Canada
- Be admissible to Canada.
2. Federal Skilled Trade Program
Below is a list of the general requirements for the Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP).
- Skilled work experience of at least 2 years in a qualifying job:
- Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades
- Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
- Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
- Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers
- Minimum language ability (English and/or French) - CLB 5 in speaking and listening & CLB 4 in reading and writing
- Canadian qualification or foreign equivalent thereof with Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Proof of funds to cover you and your family who will be joining you in Canada
- Be admissible to Canada.
3. Canadian Experience Class Program
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- At least 1 year of Canadian work experience
- Minimum CLB 7 in language ability (English and/or French) - NOC 0 or A jobs; or
- Minimum CLB 7 in language ability (English and/or French) - NOC B jobs;
- Proof of funds to cover you and your family who will be joining you in Canada
- Be admissible to Canada.
How Do I Apply?
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has a prerequisite eligibility requirement. Candidates have to score at least 67 out of a possible 100 FSWP points. This is scored differently to the Express Entry CRS. Below are some of the main requirements for the FSWP.
Step 1: Find out if you qualify
The first step to apply for a visa through the Express Entry system is to not only check that you meet the general Canada Express Entry requirements but also requires finding out which Express Entry programs you qualify for. Having professional evaluation done is most likely your best bet to get an accurate report on which immigration programs you not only qualify for but will give you the best chance of a successful application.
Step 2: Create an Express Entry profile
Applications for the Express Entry system are strictly done online. There is no option to submit your application via the paper applications process. You will need to visit the government website and create an account. Be sure to have whatever supporting documentation you have on hand when completing your profile. Although you may not be asked at this point of the application process to present your documents, it's important to ensure that all information supplied is accurate and matches your documentation.
Step 3: Gather Your Supporting Documentation
Now that you've created your profile, which has been entered into the Express Entry draw pool, you can start gathering your documents so that once you receive your Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency, you will be ready and won't have to worry about potentially missing the deadlines of document submission.
Step 4: Receive Your ITA
If successful, or in other words if your CRS score is the same as the CRS cut-off score or higher, you will receive your ITA. If you haven't received an ITA in this particular draw, your profile will automatically be entered into every draw until you receive an ITA or until your profile expires after one year.
Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residency
Once you've received your ITA you will now have to apply for permanent residency. You will have 90 days to submit your application.
How We Can Help You
Canada plans to welcome over 1.2 million people by 2023, and there is no reason you shouldn't be one of them. The Canada Express Entry system offers immigration processing times of as little as six months through three possible programs aimed at helping high and semi-skilled people, as well as experienced foreign worker with Canadian work experience, find their way to Canada. Find out how VisadeCanada can help you and your loved ones design a new future in one of the most progressive and welcoming nations in the world.