Express Entry is an online application management system used by the government of Canada. Eligible international skilled workers can immigrate to Canada by applying through Express Entry. How to apply for Express Entry is provided below in a step-by-step process.
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Table of Content
Check your eligibility
Create your Express Entry profile
Receive an ITA
Apply for PR
Upload the required documents
Pay fees
Submit complete application
Give biometrics
Receive a positive decision on your application
Express Entry Step-by-Step Process
- Check your eligibility
- Create your Express Entry profile
- Receive an ITA
- Apply for PR
- Upload the required documents
- Pay fees
- Submit complete application
- Give biometrics
- Receive a positive decision on your application
Step 1: Check your Eligibility
There are three immigration programs under the Express Entry system:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Candidates with Canadian work experience are preferred
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This one is for skilled workers with eligible work experience
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): Candidates with work experience in a qualified skilled trade can apply under this program
Whether you are eligible for a program or not is assessed based onthe following parameters:
- Age
- Language skills
- Education
- Work experience
- Available funds
- Job offer
- Nationality
- Family members
To be eligible for immigration through Express Entry, you must be eligible for at least one of these programs. You can be eligible for more than one of these programs. In such a case, IRCC would invite you to apply based on this order:
- CEC
- FSWP
- FSTP
In simple terms, if you meet the eligibility requirements for all these programs, IRCC will invite you under CEC.
If you are eligible for both CEC and FSWP, you will be invited under the CEC.
If you are eligible for FSWP and FSTP, the invitation received will be to apply under FSWP.
All in all, one cannot choose which immigration program they are invited under, it is the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) that decides the program based on the candidate’s information.
Moreover, to be eligible under the FSWP, you must first score at least 67 points out of the total 100 points. These points are assessed on the following criterias:
| S. No. | Criteria | Max points allotted |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Language Proficiency | 28 |
| 2. | Education | 25 |
| 3. | Work Experience | 15 |
| 4. | Age | 12 |
| 5. | Job Offer | 10 |
| 6. | Adaptability | 10 |
| Total | 100 points |
If you don’t score at least 67 points, you won’t be eligible under FSWP.
Once you know that you qualify for at least one of the programs, hop on to the next step.
Step 2: Create your Express Entry profile
You must create an Express Entry profile when applying under Express Entry. Before you create your profile, ensure that you have the following:
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
- Language test results (IELTS/ CELPIP/ PTE Core/ TCF Canada/ TEF Canada)
- National Classification Occupational (NOC) code
- Work experience
- Some additional information
You won’t be uploading these documents, rather just using their information.
Once you have completed creating a profile, IRCC will use the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assign you a score. You will receive a score out of 1,200 points which are allotted based on the following criteria:
| Criteria | Max Points You Gain With Spouse/Partner | Max Points You Gain Without Spouse/Partner |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 100 | 110 |
| Language proficiency | 150 | 160 |
| Canadian Work experience | 70 | 80 |
| Education | 140 | 150 |
| Skills Transferability – 100 points | ||
| Additional | ||
| Sibling living in Canada as a PR/Citizen | 15 points | |
| French proficiency | 50 points | |
| Post-secondary education in Canada | 30 points | |
| Job offer – TEER 0 Major group 00 | 200 points | |
| Job Offer – NOC TEER 1, 2 or 3 | 50 points | |
| Provincial Nomination | 600 points | |
| Total | 1,200 Points | |
IRCC will place your profile in the Express Entry pool if you are found eligible. Currently, there are about 2,11,000 profiles in the pool. If your CRS score is less than 450, you should try to improve it.
When an Express Entry draw is held, IRCC will select profiles that meet the CRS requirements of that round. This means you must aim to score higher so you receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency sooner.
There are three kinds of rounds of draws held by IRCC:
- General: High ranking and eligible candidates under any one of the Express Entry programs are invited to apply
- Program-specific draw: Candidates from a specific program are invited to apply
- Category-based draw: Candidates under a specific category are invited
Step 3: Receive an ITA
You must receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for residency or you cannot apply through the Express Entry system. After you are being invited by the IRCC, you have to submit a completed PR application within 60 days or the ITA expires.
Step 4: Apply for PR
After receiving an ITA, sign in to your IRCC account and apply for Canada PR. As you have 60 days to submit this application, make sure that you submit all the required documents. You must not hide or give any false information or IRCC may reject your application.
Moreover, ensure that you haven’t missed any of the mandatory fields or the application won’t be submitted.
Step 5: Upload the required documents
Upload the following required documents in your PR application:
- Passport/ travel documents
- Language test result
- ECA report
- Proof of funds
- Proof of work experience
- Police Clearance Certificate
Additional documents:
- Provincial nomination
- Job offer
- Certificate of qualification
- Birth certificate
- Common-law union form
- Marriage certificate
- Divorce certificate
- Death certificate
- Adoption certificate
- Any other documents
Step 6: Pay fees
Once you have completed your PR application, pay the fees:
- PR application processing fee- $850
- Right of Permanent Residence fee- $515
- Biometrics fee-$85
Step 7: Submit complete application
Attach the fee receipt with your application and submit it.
Step 8: Give biometrics
Biometrics consists of one’s fingerprints and photographs and are used to verify their identity. Once given, you do not need to provide your biometrics again for the next 10 years.
Step 9: Receive a positive decision on your application
IRCC will approve your application if you meet the eligibility requirements of the program and if you are admissible to Canada. You will receive the decision in your online IRCC account.
If your application is approved, IRCC will send you a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Canada PR visa (if you require one).
Arrive in Canada using this COPR with your passport and proof that you have enough money to support yourself and your family.
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