The Canadian government is currently open to granting immigrants permanent residency status. But first, the candidates in question must show interest in permanent residency by filling out an online profile that is used to determine their eligibility. So, how is the process done?
Express Entry Explained
Canada prides itself in a clear application management system—Express Entry, that oversees the intake of candidates from three immigration programs namely:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Candidates who apply are then placed into the Express Entry pool and the government utilizes the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to determine which individuals are best suited for the positions.
But What is CRS?
CRS employs a point-based system to evaluate and rank candidates in the pool of applications. Factors that the system takes into account include but are not limited to:
- Candidate’s Age
- Language skills
- Work experience
- Education background
- Language skills
Once the Canadian government has established that the candidates in question have met all the preset requirements, then they will move to the next phase, asking for supporting documents. Some of the aforementioned documents required include:
Medical Examination Certificate
It’s mandatory for every candidate, spouse, and dependents who wish to be permanent residents of Canada to submit documents detailing their health status after a careful examination by a medical doctor. Initially, the reports used to be submitted upfront during the application of Express Entry. However, as of October 1st, 2023, candidates have to wait to receive instruction from IRCC as to when the examination is required to be conducted.
Police Certificates
Before Canada offers permanent residency to candidates in the Express Entry pool, they must be able to prove that they don’t have existing criminal records. This proof or information can be obtained from police certificates also known as the certificates of good conduct. The certificates should be inclusive of reports from all countries the interested party(s) has stayed for more than 6 months in the last 10 years. Records don’t apply for the age below 18. More importantly, according to IRCC, the certificates should be a colored photocopy of the original police certificate (S), certified true copies, and unauthorized copies don’t count.
