The demand for highly skilled workers continues to grow across Canada and as a result, on January 1, 2015, the Canadian government launched the Express Entry system for immigration to Canada.
Express Entry is an electronic Canadian immigration system for skilled foreign workers that manages Permanent Resident (PR) visa applications to Canada very QUICKLY and EFFICIENTLY for the following programs:
- the Federal Qualified Worker Program (PFTQ)
- the Federal Skilled Trades Program (PFMS)
- the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program.
Foreign workers can also apply for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) through the Express Entry system or using the “traditional” application method.
Canadian provinces and territories seeking qualified foreign workers can review the profiles of Express Entry candidates who register with the Canadian government Job Bank and can “nominate” qualified foreign workers for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). ) if they appear to meet the criteria established for their particular province or territory.
The Express Entry system for immigration to Canada has two main stages.
The approved immigration consultants that Canadian Visa Expert works with can help you navigate the two main steps of the Express Entry procedure.
Step One – Express Entry Profile
During the first stage of the procedure, qualified foreign workers will complete an online Express Entry profile which will include, among other things, information on their education, language skills, professional skills and experience and their age.
Canadian Visa Expert offers the advantageous service, provided by the authorized immigration consultants we outsource, of correctly completing the Express Entry profile on behalf of its clients.
Individuals who meet the criteria for one of the “economic immigration” programs mentioned above (i.e. PFTQ, PFMS, CEC or PNP) will be placed in the applicant pool for Canadian immigration and will be ranked against other candidates in the pool in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
Those who have a qualifying job offer from a Canadian employer or who have received a nomination from a Canadian province or territory will be assigned high scores in the ranking system.
If a candidate does not have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer or a provincial/territorial nomination when submitting their Express Entry profile, they must register with the Canadian government Job Bank, which will will connect with eligible Canadian employers so that they can obtain a valid job offer.
Canadian employers will be able to access the profiles of those who register with Canada Job Bank to find eligible qualified foreign workers and offer them job offers in Canada.
Canadian provinces and territories will also be able to consult the Job Bank and propose applications to their Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) to qualified foreign workers who appear to meet their eligibility criteria.
Step Two – Invitation to Apply
During the second major stage of the Express Entry process, the Canadian government will review the qualifications of skilled foreign workers in the pool and select eligible candidates (based on their skills, experience, points and other factors) who will be invited to apply for a permanent resident visa in Canada.
Generally, to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for a permanent resident visa to Canada, an applicant from the Express Entry pool must have one of the highest Comprehensive Ranking System scores OR receive a job offer eligible Canadian, OR be nominated under a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Individuals who receive an ITA will have 60 days to submit an electronic application for Canadian permanent residence and will normally receive a response within as little as 6 months.
This is why this Canadian immigration system is called Express Entry!
Individuals who do not receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a PR visa for Canada after being in the applicant pool for 12 months will be removed from the pool, but will then be able to submit a new Express Entry profile to re-enter the pool of Canadian immigration candidates, if they meet the criteria for eligible Canadian immigration programs at that time.
Authorized immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert can assess your eligibility for Express Entry and, if you qualify, can help ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible for you and your family.
