06 Nov What is Express Entry Canada and How Does it Work?
Canada has become the ideal destination to immigrate for skilled overseas workers as a result of its immigrant-friendly policy. Because of this, people talk about Express Entry or how they can work in Canada through Express Entry? If you also want to work and live permanently in Canada, you must know how Express Entry Canada works. But before that, let’s first understand what Express Entry is.
What is the Express Entry?
Express Entry Canada is an online point-based immigration system used by the Government of Canada to manage applications for permanent residence under specific economic immigration programs. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), then known as Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), was behind its launch.
The Federal Government of Canada invites skilled and talented people to work, contribute to Canada’s economy, and fill the gaps in the Canadian Labour market. Subsequently, the IRCC assess the submitted profiles based on the points scored by them for six key selection factors, namely:
Age:
The applicants between the age group of 18 to 35 years will get the highest points. The lesser the age, the more the scores the candidate will get.
Educational Qualification:
The applicants’ educational certifications must be attested by an approved agency and should have an equivalent recognition to any higher secondary or post-secondary qualification of a Canadian school.
Skilled work Experience:
The applicants must have one year of full-time experience in O, A, or B categories in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system list. The more work experiences the applicant has, the more points he will gain.
Arranged employment in Canada:
Whether the candidate has employment or not is also an essential factor. The applicant with a job offer from a Canadian employer will get ten points.
Language Ability Test:
To check the applicant’s proficiency in English and French language, the applicant has to take Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) and Niveaux de Competence Linguistique Canadien (NCLC) test, respectively. In addition to knowing English if the applicant also knows French then it is an added bonus as he will get extra points if he can read, write, and speak in French.
Adaptability:
If the applicant has family members or close relatives living in Canada who will support him, the applicant will get 10 points for adaptability. Candidates can also gain points if they are migrating to Canada with their spouse or legal partner.
Express Entry manages the application for Permanent Residence for three economic immigration programs:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program
- The Federal Skilled Trades program
- The Canadian Experience Class
The Express Entry system creates a pool of candidates who may be eligible to immigrate to Canada permanently. A person must qualify for one of the above immigration programs to get into the pool.
Remember that the province of Quebec has a special arrangement on immigration with the Federal government of Canada. It has its own rules for choosing immigrants who will live there, including its program to select skilled workers.
How it Works?
In Canada Express Entry Program, the points are based on a Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS. The points are awarded to clients out of 1200. The points scale consists of two components—a core set of points and additional points both up to 600. The higher the points a candidate gets, the greater are the chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canada PR system from IRCC. The number of invitations to invite candidates to apply is based on the Annual Immigration Level.
How can I apply for Express Entry Program?
To apply for Express Entry, you need to create an express entry profile online. You can follow the steps below to apply for the Express Entry program:
Step 1: Create an Express Entry profile
First, you will have to create your online Express Entry profile to be considered for the immigration pool under the Canada Express Entry Profile. Add your details regarding your job skills, language ability, work experience, educational information, and other required information. You will get a score based on these details.
Your profile will be screened electronically to determine if you are eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, or the Canadian Experience Class. If you qualify for at least one of these programs, you will be included in the express entry pool, and a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will be assigned to you.
Step 2: Complete Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
This step is necessary if the applicant has done his education outside Canada. Get Educational Credentials Assessment or ECA from a recognized assessing authority. It will prove that the educational qualifications are equal to those recognized in the Canadian educational system.
Step 3: Complete the language ability test
Next comes completing the required English language proficiency tests. The minimum score is six bands in IELTS that is equivalent to 7 Canadian Language Benchmarks or CLB. Your test score should be less than two years old at the time of application. You will have the edge over other applicants if you know French as well.
Step 4: Calculate the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is determined by age, work experience, Canadian degrees, certificates, adaptability, etc. Your profile becomes a part of the Express Entry pool if you have the needed CRS score. After that the candidates in the pool compete against one another based on their CRS score.
If your profile gets selected from the Express Entry pool, you will get an ITA from the Canadian government, after which you can start the documentation for your PR visa.
All you doubt regarding how Express Entry Canada works must be cleared by now. If you still have some doubts, feel free to write to us. ImmiVoyage will be happy to help.
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