Express Entry Canada Program

Are you a skilled worker looking to immigrate to Canada? Did you know the Express Entry Canada Program offers a streamlined pathway for qualified individuals to apply for permanent residency?

On this page, we will explore the Express Entry Canada program in detail, including its eligibility requirements, documents required, the application process, and more.

What is the Express Entry Canada System?

Introduced in 2015, the Express Entry Canada system is a gateway for immigrants. It manages and streamlines immigration applications for skilled workers who wish to migrate to Canada.

The Express Entry system works by assessing the eligibility of candidates based on several factors and the ones who meet the eligibility criteria submit an online Express Entry form to create a profile and enter the Express Entry pool of candidates. The candidate is then assigned a CRS score and the highest-ranking candidate receives an Invitation to Apply for PR.

There are three major programs under Express Entry Canada:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) - This program is designed for skilled workers with at least one year of work experience in a skilled occupation.
2. Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) - This program is designed for skilled tradespersons with at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade.
3. Canadian Experience Class - This program is designed for foreign workers who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.

Canada Express Entry Eligibility Criteria

The Canada express entry requirements or the express entry eligibility criteria for the Program are as follows:

1. Age: The candidate must be at least 18 years old.
2. Education: The candidate must have completed a minimum of high school education or equivalent.
3. Language Proficiency: The candidate must score a minimum level of proficiency in either English or French, which is assessed through language tests such as IELTS or CELPIP.
4. Work Experience: The candidate must have at least one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) skilled work experience in a National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill type 0, A, or B within the past ten years.
5. Adaptability: The candidate must show evidence of adaptability to the Canadian workforce, which can include previous work or study in Canada, having a valid job offer, or having a relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
6. Health and Character: The candidate and their accompanying family members must undergo medical and security screenings.
7. Proof of Funds: The candidate must show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family members in Canada.

Note: You may even check your Express Entry Eligibility calculator by following the link. Meeting these Express Entry requirements allows candidates to create a profile in the Express Entry system.

Moving further, let us understand the documents required for Express Entry Canada.

Documents Required for Canada Express Entry Program

Applicants need to provide a variety of documents to support their application. The documents required for the Canada Express Entry program can be divided into three stages, such as

1. Documents for your Profile

• Passport or travel document
• Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF)
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report (for education obtained outside Canada)
• Provincial nomination (if applicable)
• Written job offer from a Canadian employer (if applicable)
• Proof of funds (bank statements or other financial documents)
• Personal reference letter (if applicable)

2. Documents for your Application for Permanent Residence

• Police certificates (certificates of good conduct)
• Medical exam results
• Proof of education (diplomas, degrees, certificates, or transcripts)
• Proof of work experience (reference letters, job descriptions, employment contracts, pay stubs, or tax documents)
• Marriage certificate, divorce certificate, or proof of common-law status (if applicable)
• Proof of dependent children (birth certificates, adoption papers, custody documents)

3. Other Documents

• Photographs
• Family information form
• Travel history
• Consent to perform a background check
• Statutory declaration of common-law union (if applicable)
• Any other document requested by IRCC

Process for Applying for a Canada PR Express Entry Visa

The Express Entry Canada process is a pathway to immigrate to Canada for skilled workers. Here is the Canada PR process step by step by step that is generally followed for Express Entry.

The process of applying for an Express Entry Canada PR Visa can be broken down into three main phases:

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Create a Profile

• Review the eligibility criteria for the Canadian Skilled Worker Program.
• Create a profile on the IRCC Express Entry website.
• Provide personal information, education, work experience, language skills, and other required details.
• Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for foreign education credentials.
• Calculate your CRS score and aim for a minimum score of 67 out of 100 points.

Step 2: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

• Based on your CRS score and other factors, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence.
• An ITA gives you 60 days to submit a complete application for Canada PR.

Step 3: Gather Supporting Documents

• Collect all the relevant supporting documents required for your Canada PR application. Refer to the list provided by IRCC for guidance.

Step 4: Submit Application for Permanent Residence

• Within the 60-day period, submit your online application for Permanent Residence.
• Ensure all the required documents are included and pay the necessary fees.

Step 5: Wait for Application Processing

• Your application will undergo processing by IRCC.
• Be patient during this waiting period, as processing times can vary.

Step 6: Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR)

• If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
• The COPR signifies that you have been granted Permanent Residence status in Canada.

Step 7: Plan for Your Move to Canada

• Once you have your COPR, you can begin planning your move to Canada.
• Make arrangements for travel, housing, and other necessary preparations.

Overall, the Canada Express Entry system is designed to be a fast and efficient way for skilled immigration workers to apply for PR in Canada under the Skilled Worker Program.

CRS Points System for Canada Express Entry Visa

The CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) as discussed is a points-based system used by the Canadian government to assess and rank candidates’ eligibility for PR. The maximum CRS points that can be awarded is 1,200 and evaluates candidates and their spouses based on the following factors.

• Age
• Education
• language proficiency
• Work experience
• Additional Factors

Let us understand with the help of a table for each factor in the CRS Points System.

1. Age

2. Language Proficiency

3. Level of Education