Express Entry
Express Entry
Express Entry
Canada’s Express Entry immigration program is one of the most popular and simplified ways for skilled workers to obtain permanent residence in Canada. Express Entry is an immigration management system launched in 2015 to quickly process eligible skilled immigration applicants. The Express Entry system manages and selects eligible candidates through an online platform, mainly for applicants who wish to stay in Canada permanently and have corresponding skills, experience and educational background.
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
It is designed for skilled workers who have foreign work experience and want to immigrate to Canada permanently.
Application requirements：
Applicants must have at least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in the past 10 years and be engaged in a technical occupation (NOC TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3).
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking an approved language test and achieving the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) Level 7 for all four language abilities (speaking, reading, writing, and listening).
Applicants must have the equivalent of a Canadian high school or equivalent. It is necessary to pass the Education certificate Assessment (ECA) to prove the equivalence of foreign academic qualifications.
FSWP uses a points table. Applicants must obtain at least 67 points (out of 100) based on factors such as age, education level, work experience, language ability, adaptability, and whether there are effective job opportunities.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
For applicants in technical occupations, they are required to have certain work experience in technical occupations. Applicants must have full-time job opportunities provided by Canadian employers or be certified by the province or territory.
Application requirements:
- Applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience in the technical industry (or an equivalent amount of part-time work) in the past five years.
- Occupations need to meet the requirements of technical jobs specified in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Applicants must have at least one year of valid job opportunities, or a technical industry qualification certificate issued by a Canadian provincial, regional, or federal authority.
Applicants must reach a minimum CLB Level 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB level 4 for reading and writing.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
For applicants with work experience in Canada, it is applicable to applicants who have accumulated at least one year of full-time work experience in Canada.
Application requirements:
Applicants must have at least one year of work experience in Canada within the past three years. Work experience must be in NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3, and appropriate authorization (for example, a valid work permit) must be obtained.
The minimum CLB level for NOC TEER 0 or 1 work is 7, and the minimum CLB level for TEER 2 or 3 work is 5.
There are no clear educational requirements, but a high degree of education helps to improve the comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score.
4. Through the fast-track provincial nomination program (PNP)
The provincial nomination program allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals with the skills, education, and work experience to contribute to the local economy. Many PNP streams are consistent with Express Entry, providing an accelerated way to obtain permanent residence.
Application requirements:
Each province or region has its own nomination criteria, which usually include the specific occupation required, language proficiency, and affiliation with the province (for example, previous work or study in the province).
Candidates nominated by the province will receive an additional 600 CRS points, which almost guarantees an ITA in the next fast-track lottery.
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scoring and lottery mechanism：
The applicant’s comprehensive score is based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language ability. Each EE lottery will set the lowest CRS score line, and only candidates who reach or exceed this score will be invited.
As of 2024, the Express Entry system has undergone a number of updates:
- Targeted lottery: In addition to the regular lottery, IRCC has also introduced lottery for specific categories or occupations to meet specific labor market needs. This means that candidates for certain occupations may have a better chance of being selected, even if their CRS scores are lower.
- Score adjustment: Changes have been made to the CRS scoring system to prioritize candidates with high-demand skills, such as healthcare professionals, technical workers, and candidates with strong French proficiency.
Processing time：
- The applicant’s comprehensive processing time after submitting the application: The processing time of the EE system is usually 6 months, calculated from the submission of a complete permanent residence application (ITA). This time includes background checks, physical examinations, document review and other steps.
- The time for candidates to wait for the invitation: The waiting time in the EE candidate pool depends on your CRS score and the lottery situation. The time varies from person to person. The scoring is based on factors such as age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Each EE lottery will set the lowest CRS score line, and only candidates who reach or exceed this score will be invited.
Precautions:
- CRS score: Constantly improving your CRS score, such as improving your language score, increasing work experience, obtaining a provincial nomination or obtaining a higher education in Canada, can all increase your probability of being invited.
- Provincial Nomination Plan (PNP): Obtaining an additional CRS score of 600 points through provincial nomination will significantly increase the chance of being invited. You can take the initiative to apply for PNP projects in various provinces.
- Validity period and update: EE candidate information will be retained in the pool for 12 months. If you do not receive the invitation, you need to resubmit the information to continue to participate in the lottery.
