The Largest Source of Immigration in Canada: Express Entry
The Express Entry system is the largest source of immigration in Canada. It is a point-based system that allocates points to candidates based on their human capital factors, such as age, education, work experience, and language ability. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the point-allocation grid that is used to rank candidates. The CRS is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to succeed in the Canadian labor market and to integrate into Canadian society. The CRS is an important part of the Express Entry system because it determines which candidates will be invited to apply for permanent residence.
Understanding Express Entry and the CRS
The Express Entry system is an online application system used by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. The system is used to process applications for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
The CRS is a points-based system that is used to assess and score Express Entry candidates. The score is based on factors such as age, work experience, education, and language proficiency. Candidates who score the highest points are invited to apply for permanent residence.
Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the government department responsible for processing applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. The department has a website where interested candidates can find information about the Express Entry system and the CRS.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is a program for skilled workers who have experience working in Canada. To be eligible for the CEC, candidates must have at least one year of full-time work experience in Canada.
The Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP) is a program for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada. To be eligible for the FSWP, candidates must have at least one year of full-time work experience in a skilled occupation.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a program for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada. To be eligible for the FSTP, candidates must have at least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade.
For this article, we will focus on age.
The age of a potential immigrant is one of the factors used in Canada’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Under the CRS, immigrants aged 20-29 receive the maximum number of points (100). Those aged 30 or older receive progressively fewer points, with those aged 45 and above receive 0 points.
The rationale for this age-based system is that younger immigrants are generally more likely to succeed in Canada. They are more likely to be able to find work, learn English or French, and integrate into Canadian society. Older immigrants, while still welcome, may find it more difficult to adjust to life in Canada.
The CRS system is designed to welcome immigrants of all ages, but it is clear that the government of Canada sees young immigrants as a key to the country’s future success. Being age 30 or over does not lock you out of Express Entry. Nevertheless, there are other ways to maximize your CRS score as discussed below.
Getting A Provincial Nomination Through A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
There are many ways to maximize your Express Entry score, but one of the best ways is to obtain a provincial nomination through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This will give you an additional 600 points, which can significantly affect your Express Entry score.
There are several ways to become eligible for a provincial nomination, but the most common way is to have a job offer from a Canadian employer in the province. You may also be eligible if you have studied or worked in the province in the past, or if you have close family ties to the province.
If you are interested in obtaining a provincial nomination, it is important to research the requirements of the province you are interested in, as they vary from province to province. Note that PNPs do not exist in Quebec and Nunavut provinces. Once you have met the requirements, you can apply for a provincial nomination through the Express Entry system.
