Express Entry System
JGCIS
Express Entry System
Express Entry
Express Entry Canada is the gateway for the majority of newcomers who immigrate to Canada permanently each year in the federal economic immigration programs. It is an online system launched in 2015 that provides a gateway to participating in Canadas’ workforce. It is a popular option as it is one of the fastest ways to immigrate to Canada permanently, with Canadian Permanent Residence Visas generally issued within 6 months of applying.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The Canadian Experience Class is one of the immigration pathways managed through Canada’s Express Entry system and is ideal for those who have already worked in Canada and wish to settle permanently. It’s a pathway designed to facilitate the transition of skilled workers into Canadian permanent residency, capitalizing on the fact that they already have Canadian work experience and are likely to contribute positively to Canada’s economy.
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
It is designed for skilled workers from around the world who have the qualifications, experience, and language abilities to contribute to the Canadian economy and society. The FSWP is for individuals who do not have Canadian work experience but meet the criteria based on their skills, education, language proficiency, and other factors. It provides a straightforward pathway to Canadian permanent residency for individuals with skilled work experience outside of Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is a collection of immigration programs designed to allow individual Canadian provinces and territories to nominate people for permanent residency in Canada. This program is a key part of Canada’s immigration system because it helps meet the specific economic and labor market needs of each province or territory such as filling labour gaps in key sectors. Under the PNP, provinces can select immigrants based on their ability to contribute to the local economy, whether through specific skills, work experience, or other factors.
Express Entry System
The Express Entry System is comprised of these immigration pathways:
Each program has its own specific criteria related to factors such as work experience, education, language proficiency, and more. These eligibility factors (requirements) will comprise your individual score by using a CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) tool. The CRS score is a ranking tool that determines your position in the Express Entry pool compared to other candidates. The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The Canadian government conducts periodic draws from the Express Entry pool, typically every 2 weeks. In each draw, candidates with the highest CRS scores are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The CRS cut-off score varies from draw to draw, depending on the number of invitations being issued and the applicant pool. If you receive an ITA, you then have 60 days to submit your complete application for permanent residency, including documents that prove the information you provided in your Express Entry profile.
Many provinces and territories in Canada have their own Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that are aligned with Express Entry. If a province nominates you through a PNP, you get additional 600 CRS points, effectively guaranteeing that you will receive an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.
Summary
of the Steps
Step 1 : Check eligibility for one of the Express Entry programs.
Step 2 : Create and submit your Express Entry profile.
Step 3 : Get ranked based on your CRS score.
Step 4 : Wait for an invitation to apply (ITA) in a draw.
Step 5 : Submit your permanent residency application.
Step 6 : Wait for processing (typically up to 6 months).
Step 7 : Land in Canada as a permanent resident.
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Some of the advantages of the Canadian Experience Class is there is no need for a job offer. Unlike some other immigration programs, you do not need a job offer to apply through the CEC, though having one can increase your CRS score. Also, If you are applying as the primary applicant, your spouse or common-law partner can also apply for permanent residency as a secondary applicant. They may also receive points for their work experience, language proficiency, and education. Additionally, the processing times are faster when compared to other immigration streams.
Summary of the CEC Process:
#1
Work Experience
in Canada (12 months full-time, in a skilled job)
#2
Language Proficiency
(CLB 7 or 5, depending on the job category)
#3
Create an enxpress entry
profile and enter the pool.
#4
recieve an invitation
to apply (ITA) on your CRS score
#5
Submit your application
for permanent residency
#6
Await processing time
to become a permanent resident
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Some of the benefits of this program include:
- No job offer required (although it can increase your CRS score).
- Work experience from anywhere in the world is eligible (as long as it’s in a skilled occupation).
- Fast processing times through Express Entry (usually about 6 months).
- High flexibility in terms of where you can live and work once you arrive in Canada.
- Opportunities for family members: Your spouse and dependent children can also apply for permanent residency under the same application.
The FSWP uses a points-based system to determine whether you meet the minimum requirements to apply for permanent residency. The points system is based on six selection factors:
1. Age: Maximum of 12 points. Younger candidates generally receive more points
2. Education: Maximum of 25 points. Higher levels of education (e.g., a Master’s degree or PhD) earn more points. If your education was completed outside of Canada, you need to have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) done by a designated organization to confirm that your education is equivalent to a Canadian diploma or degree
3. Work Experience: Maximum of 15 points. More years of skilled work experience (up to 6 years) will give you more points. You need to have at least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in the past 10 years. This work experience must be within specific National Occupational Classification (NOC) skilled occupations, experience must be paid and at least 30 hours per week for 12 months (or an equivalent amount of part-time work, e.g., 15 hours per week for 24 months
4. Language Skills: Maximum of 28 points. This is determined by your results from the approved language test in either English or French. Language proficiency is a crucial factor in the FSWP and is assessed through standardized language tests in English or French. You need to meet the minimum language requirements based on your job category
5. Arranged Employment (optional): Maximum of 10 points. A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can add points
6. Adaptability: Maximum of 10 points. Factors that can increase your adaptability score include having a spouse with Canadian language skills, previous work or study experience in Canada, or a close family member living in Canada
* Proof of Funds: In most cases, you need to show that you have enough settlement funds to support yourself (and your family, if applicable) once you arrive in Canada. The amount of funds required depends on your family size. While not influencing the points system, this requirement is noteworthy
The maximum points you can achieve under the selection factors are 100 points. To qualify for the FSWP, you must score at least 67 points out of 100.
Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is one of the immigration pathways under Canada’s Express Entry system. It is designed for individuals who have experience in a skilled trade and want to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents. Whether you have a job offer or a provincial certification, the program is specifically tailored for tradespeople and workers with expertise in hands-on, technical jobs that are in high demand in the Canadian labor market.
The eligibility requirements to qualify for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are specific criteria related to work experience, language proficiency, and job offers or certifications in certain skilled trades:
- Work Experience
You must have at least two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in a skilled trade within the last five years before you apply. The work experience must be in a skilled trade categorized under National Occupational Classification (NOC) 7200 to 8299
- Job Offer or Certification
One of the unique features of the Federal Skilled Trades Program is that you must have either:
- A valid job offer for full-time, permanent work in Canada, OR
- A certificate of qualification in your trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.
- Job Offer: If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer in one of the eligible skilled trades, this can help you meet the program’s requirements. The job offer must be full-time, permanent, and from a Canadian employer who is willing to employ you after you receive your permanent residency.
- Certificate of Qualification: Alternatively, if you have a certificate of qualification in your trade from a Canadian province or territory, you meet the requirement without needing a job offer. The certificate proves that you are fully qualified to work in that trade in Canada.
- Some provinces and territories require a certificate of qualification to practice in certain trades, and others may offer trade-specific exams or certification programs. For example, you may need to pass an exam with a provincial regulatory body to get certified in some provinces.
- Language Proficiency
You must demonstrate your ability to communicate in either English or French by meeting the minimum language proficiency levels:
- If your work experience is in a NOC B occupation (skilled trades), you need a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in speaking and listening and CLB 4 in reading and writing.
To prove your language skills, you must take an approved language test such as:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) for English.
- TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) for French.
- Other Requirements:
- Proof of Funds: You must prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family when you arrive in Canada, unless you have a valid job offer or are already working in Canada.
- Legal Status: You must have legal authorization to work in Canada, meaning your work experience in Canada must have been gained while on a valid work permit.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program does not use the same point-based selection system as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). However, it is still subject to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) within the Express Entry system.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Each province and territory in Canada (except Quebec) has its own PNP, with specific requirements and categories tailored to their individual needs. The PNP is a provincial immigration pathway that works alongside Canada’s Express Entry system, but it can also function as a separate pathway for those who are not eligible or do not want to apply through Express Entry.
Types of PNP Streams:
Each province and territory operate its own PNP with various streams targeting different types of immigrants. Below are some examples of common PNP streams:
- Skilled Worker Streams:
These streams are for workers who have skilled work experience in high-demand occupations. They are typically aligned with federal immigration programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) or the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).
- Express Entry Streams:
Some provinces have streams specifically designed to nominate individuals who are already in the Express Entry pool. These streams prioritize candidates who have the skills and qualifications that match the province’s labor market needs.
- Entrepreneur and Business Immigration Streams:
Provinces may have specific streams designed for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners who want to establish or buy a business in the province.
- International Graduate Streams:
These streams target international students who have completed their studies in a Canadian province. They often do not require prior work experience but may require a job offer from a local employer.
- Family Support and Humanitarian Streams:
Some provinces offer pathways for people with family connections to the province (e.g., a close relative) or for individuals who are refugees or have humanitarian concerns.
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot:
Some provinces or regions have streams dedicated to rural and northern immigration, encouraging newcomers to settle in smaller cities and communities outside of major metropolitan areas.
Common Provincial Nominee Programs by Region:
Here is a brief overview of the major PNPs across Canada:
Ontario
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) – Has streams for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international students. Ontario is one of the most popular destinations for immigrants due to its large economy.
British Columbia
British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) – Offers streams for skilled workers, healthcare professionals, tech workers, and entrepreneurs.
Alberta
Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) – Offers streams for skilled workers, graduates, and people working in certain occupations in high demand.
Manitoba
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) – Includes streams for skilled workers, international graduates, and family members.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP) – Focuses on skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs.
Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut
These territories also have their own PNP streams targeting skilled workers, business owners, and specific labor needs.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) – Offers a variety of streams including skilled worker, entrepreneur, and international student streams.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Nominee Program (NSNP) – Has streams for skilled workers, business owners, and international graduates.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NB PNP) – Targets skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and family members.
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP) – Includes streams for skilled workers, international graduates, and entrepreneurs.
Quebec
While Quebec has its own separate immigration system (Quebec-selected skilled workers), it operates outside of the PNP system.
The above list of PNPs do not represent all of the available programs. PNP evolve over time and as such some PNPs are removed or new ones are created. See the link below for the most recent information.
