How to Apply for Express Entry
The first step is to complete a language assessment and obtain Education Credential Assessments then create an online account and complete the Express Entry profile. In the profile, you will be asked to provide information about your age, gender, level of education, work experience, language skills, and other aspects of your background. You will also be asked to indicate your interest in certain provinces or territories of Canada.
Once you have completed your profile, you will be given a score based on the information you provided. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) uses a point-based system to rank profiles. If you score high enough, you will be placed in the Express Entry pool. IRCC will then periodically draw candidates from the pool and give them the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
If you are invited to apply, you will be given 60 days to submit a complete application, including all supporting documentation. Once your application is received, it will be processed according to IRCC’s usual standards. IRCC processes around 80% of all complete applications within 6 months of receiving the application. If everything is in order, you will be granted permanent residence and will be able to move to Canada.
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
It is the most popular program under Express Entry designed to attract highly skilled workers to Canada. The program is based on the principle that skilled workers with the right experience and training can contribute to the Canadian economy and help fill labor shortages.
To be eligible for the FSWP, applicants must have at least one year of full-time work experience in an occupation that is listed on the National Occupational Classification (NOC). They must also meet the language requirements of the program, which includes a minimum score of 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) test, and provide proof of funds, and education. In the FSWP points-based system, you need to get at least 67/100.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The CEC is an immigration program for those who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada, gained within the last 3 years. The program aims to help skilled workers immigrate to Canada permanently and contribute to the Canadian economy.
Applicants must also meet the language requirements of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or the Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadiens (NCLC) for English or French, scoring 5 for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 jobs or CLB 7, for NOC TEER category 0 or 1 job.
Changes to Express Entry
The Express Entry system is Canada’s way of managing applications for skilled workers. The system was introduced in 2015 and has been through a few changes since then. The most recent change came with Bill C-19, which received Royal Assent in December 2018.
Under the new system, Express Entry candidates can be invited to apply based on individual factors. IRCC will look at each candidate’s situation on a case-by-case basis.
The changes to Express Entry are designed to make the system more flexible and responsive to the needs of employers to fill the nearly one million job vacancies in Canada. This should make it easier for employers to find the skilled workers they need, and for skilled workers to find the jobs they want.
