Express Entry is a new selection system (not a new migration program) introduced in January 2015 by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). This system is designed to be an effective way of selecting skilled worker and managing immigration applications for permanent residence. The new program has improved in the following ways:

• The entire process of applications is managed online so processing time of applications has reduced.
• The new system accepts applications from wider variety of fields.
• There is more focus on quality of applications, which is if you have studied in Canada, or if you have job offer you would get additional points.
• Express Entry offers a new platform i.e. Job Bank registration where candidates can find suitable jobs and apply for the same even before they arrive in Canada.

The Canada express entry information below should only be used as a guide. If you want a better, clearer understanding on your eligibility appropriate for your circumstances, then we would request you to contact us. The team of expert consultants of Visas Abroad will provide you the knowledge, support and understanding needed to turn your dreams of living abroad a reality.

Express Entry is used to manage applications for permanent residency under one of the following federal economic migration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry system under Provincial Nominee Program to meet local labor market needs.

How is Express Entry different from traditional immigration program?

• Reduced Application Processing time & more effective screening of eligible applicants from Express Entry Pool: Every year Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) receives thousands of immigration applications globally. Earlier immigration process used paper applications and there were limitations on the number of applications that were accepted. Earlier, immigration process involved step by step processing of each application on first come first serve basis, with an average processing time of about 12-14 months or even longer. While in the new express entry system, candidates who are more likely to succeed in Canada, are picked up first in line and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Permanent Residence. Express Entry candidate have a processing time of about six months or less.
• Better Job Bank services and features: New Improved Job Bank helps applicants to connect directly with Canadian employers and in the process contributing to an effective growth of Canadian economy.

Canada Express Entry Step by Step Procedure:

To know more about express entry point system, please visit http://visasabroad.com/Canada-Express-Entry-Points-Systems/

Step 1: Create Express Entry Profile and Register on Canadian Job Banks:

1. Give Language tests for English or French and get eligible score: The first step to begin your immigration journey to Canada is to give English or/and French exam to test your proficiency. To be able to create your profile in Express Entry, you must have minimum proficiency level of communication in English or/and French. Canada is a bilingual country so knowledge of French helps a lot in getting a high paying job.

2. Get World Education Society (WES) Assessment done for your educational qualifications: It is essential to get your educational qualification assessed by WES in order to apply for Canada permanent resident visa. This evaluation of educational qualification by WES is termed as Educational Credential Assessment. It is mandatory to get an ECA done, if you have done your studies in any foreign country (any country other than Canada).

3. Create an Express Entry profile if you are eligible: The first step to officially start your Canadian immigration journey is to create an Express Entry profile and express your interest in permanent residence program. You need to provide all the necessary information about skills, work experience, language ability, education and other details. To qualify for the express entry pool, there are three federal economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

4. Update all required information on Express Entry profile: It’s very important that you ensure that your profile in Express Entry is complete with all valid language test results and Educational Credential Assessments. An express entry is valid for a period of one year.

5. Register with Canadian Job Bank: The next step is to register with Job Bank in case you don’t have a(https://www.visasabroad.com/canada-visa/canada-province-nomination-program-pnp-for-skilled-worker-immigration/).

6. Promote your profile on job bank and connect with recruiters: It’s important for applicants to promote their profiles on job bank and connect with recruiters, employers, etc…There is a Comprehensive Ranking System which considers skills, work experience, language ability, education and other factors to determine a score of the applicants. Depending upon your score CIC determines your chances of success in Canada.

Please note that it’s very important to update your profile to reflect the latest changes in status like i.e. language, education, family composition, etc.

Step 2: Apply online once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA):

1. An Express Entry candidate can receive an Invitation to apply if they meet one of the following conditions:

• Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer (Depends on the Labor Market Impact Assessment at that time)
• Are nominated by a province or territory
• Are among the top ranked in the Express Entry pool based on their skills, education and experience.

2. Apply online along with all required documents: Once you receive an Invitation to apply, you will have 60 days time to submit an online application for permanent residence through one of the following program:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• A portion of the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Provinces and Territories are able to nominate candidates who meet regional labor market needs.

3. Pay visa application charges and get medical and police verification certificates: Pay visa fees, landing fees, and other fees (such as medical test fee, police verification fees) along with completed application. Once you have paid visa application charges, you need to get your medical examination and police verification done. Along with completed application form, it’s mandatory to append medical and police certificates along with your application.

4. Receive COPR and happily migrate to Canada: If your application is approved, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will issue you a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). Some country citizens don’t require visa to live in Canada, COPR is issued to only those foreign nationals who require visa.

If you are looking for better guidance about your eligibility for Canada immigration, please visit http://www.visasabroad.com/skill-assessment/. Below is a quick list of action items flow that can help you understand step by step immigration process:

Canada Express Entry Requirements:

Canada Express Entry system uses a point based system to evaluate a candidate profile and provides a Comprehensive System Ranking (CRS) score to rank candidates in a pool which is based on the below factors:

• Age
• Language Ability in English / French
• Education
• Work Experience
• Arranged employment in Canada
• Adaptability

Here is a quick list of items that you can use to check your eligibility:

• English/French Proficiency: You can give English/ French language evaluation exams such as for English you could give TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, etc… The language test result must meet the minimum proficiency level. The language test is considered valid for 2 years.
• Educational Qualification: There is an assessment body known as World Education Society (WES) which evaluates an applicant’s educational standards and creates an Educational Credential Assessment Report. This report is valid up to five years.
• Before you can apply through Express Entry System, you must have eligibility of minimum of 67 points based on factors such as (age, education, language proficiency, etc).
• In order to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency visa a candidate needs to create a profile at Express Entry and submit Expression of Interest.
• There are certain health and character requirements for a person to immigrate to Canada. If you receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) you need to provide the respective health and character certificates so that your PR visa application can be submitted.
• Proof of Funds: For immigration to Canada you must show that you have enough funds to support yourself and your family in Canada unless you are either legally working in Canada or you has a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.

Canada Express Entry processing time:

Before Canada Express Entry system existed immigration to Canada was a very lengthy process and involved about 12-14 months of visa application processing time. Now, processing time of visa applications through Express Entry system just takes around 6 months to complete.

To ensure your application processing time is less please ensure you provide complete and accurate information about yourself and have the necessary evidence in place.

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