Express Entry is a Canadian immigration system launched in 2015, that allows skilled workers from around the world to immigrate to Canada. It’s an electronic process that manages applications for three of Canada’s main economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class.
Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements can create an online profile and submit their information, including language proficiency, work experience, education, and other factors. They are then ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns a score based on various factors that reflect the candidate’s ability to succeed in the Canadian labor market. The highest-ranking candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency through regular draws from the Express Entry pool.
The Express Entry system is the main immigration program in Canada for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada permanently. Here’s the process:
- Determine eligibility: Check if you’re eligible for one of the immigration programs under Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class).
- Create an Express Entry profile: Provide information about your education, work experience, language ability, and other factors.
- Receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score: Based on the information you provide, you will be assigned a score which determines your ranking among other Express Entry candidates.
- Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If your score is high enough, you may receive an ITA through regular draws from the Express Entry pool.
- Submit an application: If you receive an ITA, you will have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency.
- Receive a decision: The processing time for Express Entry applications is typically six months or less. If your application is approved, you will receive a Canada visa and be able to move to Canada as a permanent resident.
Note: The above steps are general and may vary based on your specific situation. It’s recommended to seek professional help for a more accurate and up-to-date understanding of the process.
You can get professional help to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry by hiring a registered immigration consultant or a lawyer. Here’s how:
- Research: Look for qualified and reputable immigration consultants or lawyers by checking their credentials, reading reviews, and comparing fees.
- Contact potential advisors: Reach out to potential advisors to ask questions and discuss your specific immigration needs and goals.
- Choose an advisor: Based on your research and discussions, choose the immigration consultant or lawyer who you feel is best suited to help you with your Express Entry application.
- Provide information: Work with your advisor to provide all the necessary information and documentation for your Express Entry application.
- Review and submit your application: Your advisor will review your Express Entry application and make any necessary changes before submitting it to the Canadian government.
- Receive updates: Your advisor will keep you updated on the status of your application and guide you through any additional steps or requirements.
Note: It’s important to verify that the immigration consultant or lawyer you choose is registered with the appropriate regulatory body, such as the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) for immigration consultants or the Law Society of Ontario for lawyers.
There are many reputable immigration consultants and lawyers who can help you with your Express Entry application to immigrate to Canada. To find a reputable professional, you can:
- Check credentials: Look for immigration consultants who are members of the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) or lawyers who are members of their provincial or territorial law society.
- Read reviews: Look for reviews from past clients on websites such as Google, Facebook, or Avvo to get an idea of their experience and satisfaction.
- Ask for referrals: Ask for referrals from friends, family, or professional networks who have used an immigration consultant or lawyer in the past.
- Schedule a consultation: Schedule a consultation with a few potential immigration consultants or lawyers to ask questions and discuss your specific immigration needs and goals.
- Compare fees: Compare fees from different immigration consultants and lawyers to determine which one is the best fit for your budget.
here’s some additional information about the Express Entry system that you should know:
- Eligibility requirements: To be eligible for Express Entry, you must meet the eligibility criteria for one of the immigration programs it covers (Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, or Canadian Experience Class).
- Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): The CRS is a points-based system that assigns a score to each Express Entry candidate based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.
- Invitations to Apply (ITA): Express Entry candidates with the highest CRS scores are regularly invited to apply for permanent residency through regular draws from the Express Entry pool.
- Processing time: The processing time for Express Entry applications is typically six months or less.
- Work and study in Canada: As a permanent resident in Canada, you have the right to work and study in Canada without any restrictions.
- Path to citizenship: After three years of living in Canada as a permanent resident, you may be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.
- Relevant documents: You will need to provide various documents as part of your Express Entry application, including proof of education, work experience, language proficiency, and other factors.
