As of January 1, 2015, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a new electronic system called Express Entry to manage applications for permanent residence under certain economic immigration programs. Express Entry is the fastest and most popular way to get settled in Canada.
Basic requirements to apply under the Express Entry in Canada?
- University or college degrees
- Skilled work experience
- Moderate to high proficiency in English or French
The candidates should also meet the criteria for one of the below-mentioned programs managed through Express Entry:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
It is the most popular & primary economic immigration pathway particularly meant for people with foreign work experience. Applicants are required to fulfill the minimum 67 points requirement out of the 100-point grid system. This program is for the people who wish to reside outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec has its own system for selecting skilled workers.Requirements:
- At least 1 year of continuous, full-time paid experience completed within the previous 10 years (or an equal amount of part-time experience) in a skilled occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level: Managerial jobs (skill type 0), Professional jobs (skill level A) and Technical jobs and skilled trades (skill level B).
- You will also require to have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 on an approved English or French language test.
- Certificate, diploma, or degree of a Canadian secondary institution (high school) or post-secondary institution or the equivalent in foreign education.
- Proof of funds, showing you have enough funds to sponsor yourself and your family.
- You must be admissible to Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
FST is a dedicated immigration pathway for candidates who want to become permanent residents on the basis of qualifying for a skilled trade. This program is for the people who wish to reside outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec has its own system for selecting skilled workers.Requirements:
- Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years of full-time experience in a skilled trade (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) within the 5-year period of submitting an application.
- You would need a genuine offer letter for full-time employment lasting 12 months or a certificate of qualification in their skilled trade which is issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
- You will need to meet the job requirements of the skilled trade set out by the National Occupational Classification (NOC), except for needing a certificate of qualification. NOC groups you can apply under: Major Group 72, Major Group 73, Major Group 82, Major Group 92, Minor Group 632, or Minor Group 633.
- There is no particular education requirement for the FST.
- Meet the language proficiency criteria. The minimum threshold set by IRCC is Canadian Level Benchmark (CLB) 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- Proof of funds, showing you have enough funds to sponsor yourself and your family.
- You must be admissible to Canada.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
International students and temporary foreign workers who have Canadian experience can apply under the CEC program. Eligible candidates usually get their permanent residence status within six months. This program is for the people who wish to reside outside the province of Quebec, as Quebec has its own system for selecting skilled workers.Requirements:
- Candidates must have at least 1 year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience [full-time at 1 or more jobs or an equal amount in part-time work] in Canada within 3 years of application.
- An experience of working in Canada under temporary resident status with authorization to work.
- Meet the language requirements, Canadian Language Benchmark 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or Canadian Language Benchmark 5 for NOC B jobs.
- You will need to meet the job requirements of the skilled trade set out by the National Occupational Classification (NOC), i.e. managerial jobs (skill level 0), professional jobs (skill type A), and technical jobs and skilled trades (skill type B).
- There is no specific education requirement for the Canadian Experience Class.
- You must be admissible to Canada.
How does a candidate get selected for the Express Entry?
- In the first step, eligible candidates after submitting their profiles on the IRCC website receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, a merit-based score system to evaluate applicants.
- The CRS score is given on the basis of language ability, education, work experience, age, or even having a sibling in Canada, speaking French, a job opportunity in Canada, or securing a nominal from a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
- CRS score helps the Federal Government to rank the applicants to be placed under the Express Entry pool.
- Approximately 2 weeks later the final candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
- As per the second step, after receiving an ITA for permanent residence, applicants are required to pay the required fees and submit more substantial documents such as police clearance certificates, additional ID documents, reference letters, medical examination results, etc. on the IRCC website.
- You will be provided with an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) by IRCC. The result usually takes 6 months or less. Further IRCC will give you a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) for your approved application and permanent residence visa (if required).
FAQs for Express Entry Canada
Who is eligible for Canada Express Entry?
There is a list of requirements you are required to fulfill to be eligible to apply under the express entry category. Fill in a form at Unplugged Immigration to check your eligibility.How much does it cost for Express Entry to Canada?
You won’t be charged to create an Express Entry profile. It’s when you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) you are required to submit a complete application and pay CAD 825 as a processing fee per adult. If you have children the cost is CAD 225 per dependent child.What is the fastest way to obtain permanent residence in Canada?
Express Entry is the fastest most efficient way to get permanent resident status in Canada. You can obtain your PR as soon as 6 months after applying under Express Entry.What is the CRS score?
A comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is a way to determine the candidates for permanent residence under Express Entry. CRS score is given on the factors such as language ability, education, work experience, age, etc. Highest-ranking candidates receive their Invitation to Apply (ITA)