Express Entry
In January 2015, the Canadian government launched a new electronic immigration system that offers express entry to Canada for skilled and qualified immigrants. The Canada Express Entry Program is a points based immigration program for professionals looking to settle in Canada.
The Canada Express Entry process follows a points-based system called a Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS. Points are allotted to applicants based on skills, experience, employment history, and provincial/territorial nomination.
What is the Canada Express Entry System?
Express Entry is a point-based Canada immigration regulatory system developed by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in 2015. With this system, the Canadian government can manage skilled worker applications wanting to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.
It awards points to professionals based on skills, experience, Canadian employment status and provincial/territorial nomination. The higher your points, the greater your chances of receiving an invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residency in Canada. Typically PR applications submitted through this route are processed in 6-12 months or fewer.
Applicants with the highest points receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) for PR in Canada.
There are three significant immigration programs under Express Entry –
1.The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
2.The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
3.The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Canada Express Entry?
The Canada Express Entry Program relies on a points-based system to evaluate applicants. The main objective of this system is to identify applicants who have the highest chance of succeeding after they migrate to Canada. The points scale has a maximum score of 1200 and evaluates you and your spouse (if any) on your:- A test proving adequate knowledge of English or French
- A score of at least 67 points to qualify for some programs
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) positive report
- Good medical health
- Ability to clear the debt
- No age barrier, but no point are awarded for over 47 years
- Canadian work experience
- Other work experience
- Other factors
Benefits of the Express Entry System
One advantage of this immigration program is its transparency. Applicants will know the CRS points they will have to score to be eligible for the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
Candidates will be aware of the median score they should obtain in order to qualify for the ITA, if they do not make the mark, they can always make efforts to improve their CRS score or consider other CRS options.
They can look at improving their language test results, or on gaining additional work experience, look at options to study in Canada or try for a provincial nomination.