Express Entry

Canada’s Express Entry is an online system introduced in January 2015 to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers. It streamlines the immigration process for three primary federal economic programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Targets skilled workers with foreign work experience who meet specific criteria in education, language proficiency, and work experience.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Designed for qualified tradespeople with experience in eligible trade occupations.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Caters to individuals with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.

How Express Entry Works:

• Profile Creation: Eligible candidates create an online profile detailing their skills, work experience, language ability, education, and other personal information.
• Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): Profiles are ranked using the CRS, which assigns points based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Additional points can be awarded for job offers, provincial nominations, or Canadian education credentials.
• Invitation to Apply (ITA): Periodically, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts draws from the pool, inviting top-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residence.
• Application Submission: Invited candidates have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
• Processing Time: IRCC aims to process most applications within six months or less.

Express Entry has modernized Canada’s immigration system, making it more responsive to labor market needs and reducing processing times for skilled workers seeking permanent residency.