How does Canada’s Express Entry system work?

Anyone trying to become a permanent resident of Canada will no doubt come across the term “Express entrymore than once. It’s easy to assume that Express Entry is its own immigration program but, surprisingly, that’s not correct. Understanding what Express Entry is and how it works is an essential step before submit a request.

Express Entry is a system, not a program

Express Entry is an application management system introduced by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2015. It was introduced after it was found that the existing system was not effective in handling the overwhelming number of applications received by IRCC.

In the past, Canada considered every application submitted whether or not an applicant met a set of basic qualifications. This meant that processing times for all applicants could take more than five years.

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How does Express Entry work?

Express Entry is not as complicated as it seems at first glance. The first step is to find out if you are eligible. You must then complete your profile to express your interest in applying for permanent resident status in Canada. You will then get a Comprehensive filing system (CRS). Approximately every two weeks, IRCC invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply.

Here is a simplified, step-by-step breakdown of the Express Entry process.

Step 1: Check if you are eligible for Express Entry. Each of the three programs run by Express Entry will have its own minimum eligibility criteria. You must qualify for at least one.

2nd step: Complete your language test and get a Academic credential assessment (ECA).

Step 3: Submit your profile on the IRCC website.

Step 4: Wait to see if you receive a Invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residency from IRCC.

Step 5: If you receive an ITA, submit your completed Electronic Application for Permanent Residence (e-APR) to IRCC and pay your fee within the 60-day period. You must include your medical examination and police certificates as part of this step. IRCC will then provide you with an acknowledgment of receipt (AOR).

Step 6: Submit your biometrics once IRCC asks you.

Step 7: Wait for IRCC to make a final decision on your application. Once approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and Permanent Resident Visa (if you are from a country that requires a visa) so you can complete your landing.

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What is considered skilled labor under Express Entry?

“Skilled” workers are defined by the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

In short, the NOC is a system that Canada uses to determine skill level and the education necessary for a profession or career in Canada. For Express Entry, three categories of NOC are eligible:

NOC 0: Management positions, such as in a restaurant

NOC A: Careers that typically require a college degree

NOC B: Skilled trades and technology

Each NOC category has a separate ranking system and applicants are specific numeric codes assigned depending on their profession.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program

the FSWP is designed for skilled workers who meet certain foreign language, work experience and education requirements. The minimum requirements are one year of work experience, one CLB score of 7, proof of funds and proof of education. You must also score at least 67/100 on the FSWP point grid.

Canadian Experience Class

the CEC is specifically for those who have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years.

The language requirement differs based on their NOC classification. Applicants whose occupations fall under NOCs 0 and A need a CLB of at least 7, while workers in NOC B need a CLB of at least 5.

Federal Skilled Trades Program

Faced with a shortage of skilled workers, Canada created the FSTP in 2013. The program works similarly to the FSWP but is exclusively for skilled trades. Those entering Canada with the FSTP must have two years of work experience in a skilled trade, have a full-time job offer from a Canadian employer or qualification certificate from a Canadian authority.

Provincial Nominee Program

Each province or territory (except Quebec and Nunavut) has a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

Provinces regularly review the pool of Express Entry candidates. If a candidate, who is eligible for one of the programs managed by Express Entry, satisfies certain criterion that meet a need for a specific province, the province may issue a invitation to apply for a provincial nomination. Applicants may also indicate in their application that they wish to settle in a particular province. Provincial immigration programs that draw from the pool of Express Entry candidates are called “enhanced” PNPs. If the candidate wins the provincial nomination, he will subsequently be receive 600 additional CRS points.

The Complete Ranking System

the SCR was created to score and rank Express Entry candidates. Those wishing to immigrate using Express Entry must go online to the IRCC website and complete a personal profile. This profile takes approximately one hour to complete. Candidates are scored and ranked on criteria such as age, language skills, work experience and education as well as other factors. Prior to the pandemic, IRCC issued ITAs to applicants with the highest CRS scores. It has temporarily deviated from this approach, but will return to it in early July.

Look forward

The pandemic has caused delays in the Express Entry system. IRCC has suspended invitations for CEC and FSWP applicants to address the backlog of applications.

Next July, IRCC will again invite CEC and FSWP applicants under Express Entry. As well, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser says the standards of treatment for new applicants will again be return to six months for new applicants.

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