Express Entry Application

Express Entry Application

Express Entry Application

Express Entry is the application management system for Canada’s three most popular immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. PNP candidates in the Express Entry pool have already qualified for one of these programs.

How can I apply for Express Entry?

Applying to Express Entry is a two-step process. The first step is to submit your profile which requires the following documents:

• Language test results
• Educational credential assessment report
• A passport or travel document

After you submit your profile and you receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence, you will need to provide a more substantial application that includes reference letters, additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, and results of a medical examination.

Who is eligible for Express Entry?

Individuals with university or college degrees, skilled work experience and moderate proficiency in English and/or French are ideal Express Entry candidates. To submit a profile through the Express Entry system, candidates must also meet the eligibility requirements for one of the three federal programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

What are the requirements for Express Entry?

In general, to be eligible to apply to Express Entry as a skilled worker, you must:

• Have at least one year, in the last 10 years of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience in a skilled occupation
• Be able to demonstrate on an approved language test a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) seven in either English or French
• Completed post-secondary education that is assessed against Canadian standards with an Education Credential Assessment
• These are the minimum requirements to apply to Canada’s Express Entry system as a skilled worker. Meeting these requirements doesn’t mean you will receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Candidates with stronger profiles will always be selected over candidates that simply meet the minimum requirement.

How long does Express Entry take?

Express Entry can take as little as six months to process, from submission of the Express Entry profile to the issuance of a permanent resident visa. However, not all cases will proceed this quickly. Your Express Entry profile will remain active in the pool of candidates for 12 months if you do not receive an invitation to apply. If after 12 months you have not received an invitation, you are welcome to resubmit your profile and remain in the pool. To break it down further:

• Your profile will remain valid for 12 months in the Express Entry pool.
• Upon issuance of the ITA, you will have 60 days to provide the requested full application of documents.
• Once the immigration authorities receive your complete application, your permanent resident visa, IRCC may process your application in about six months.

How are Express Entry points are calculated?

When people refer to Canada’s “Express Entry points”, they are usually referring to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Canada uses the CRS score to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool using a series of factors, including:

• Age.
• Level of education.
• Proficiency in French or English.
• Foreign and Canadian work experience.
• Spouse factors; and
• Connections to Canada