How to Relocate to Canada Permanently with Express Entry
If you're a skilled worker looking for new opportunities abroad, Canada could be your next big adventure.
And that's possible through the Express Entry System.
The Express Entry system is a pathway that allows skilled foreign workers, tradespeople, and international students and workers in Canada to become permanent residents.
Permanent residency in Canada is a super important step.
As a permanent resident, you can live, work, and study anywhere in Canada without any time limits. It also opens the door for you to potentially become a Canadian citizen one day if you'd like! Pretty cool, right?
The Express Entry system manages applications for three main federal immigration programs:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program
- The Canadian Experience Class
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| Canada Express Entry System |
Let's look into how Express Entry works!
What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an online system that manages and processes immigration applications for certain economic immigration programs in Canada.
The main goals are to allow Canada to welcome talented skilled workers and their families as permanent residents in a fast and flexible way based on Canada's labor market needs.
The key steps are:
- You submit an online profile with details like your age, work experience, education, and language skills
- You get ranked in the Express Entry pool based on a points system
- The highest-scoring candidates get invited to officially apply for permanent residence
Eligibility Requirements
To submit an Express Entry profile, you need to meet the eligibility criteria for one of the three programs:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
At minimum a bachelor's degree, trades certificate or foreign equivalent
At least 1 year of continuous skilled work experience in the last 10 years
Score at least 7 in all English or French language abilities
Other criteria like your age and having a job offer in Canada can help your chances
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Your job must be considered a skilled trade (e.g. electrician, plumber, chef)
2+ years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade in the last 5 years
Meet basic language requirements for English or French
Have a job offer from a Canadian employer OR certification for your skilled trade
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
For temporary foreign workers and international students in Canada with skilled work experience
1+ year of skilled work experience in Canada in the last 3 years
Language test minimum levels and having a Canadian degree/credential can help
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The CRS is a points-based system used to rank and score candidates in the Express Entry pool.
Points are awarded for:
- Core human capital factors like age, education, language ability, and skilled work experience
- Your spouse's skills like language, education, and work experience
- Having a valid job offer or nomination from a province
- Other factors like studying or working in Canada, having a sibling in Canada, getting education credentials assessed upfront, and more.
The maximum CRS score is 1200 points.
Typically, scoring 470+ points gives you a high chance of being invited to apply.
But the exact score can vary for each round of invitations.
Creating an Express Entry Profile
Start by creating an online account and Express Entry profile at the official government website.
You'll need to provide details on:
- Your education, work experience, language test results
- Passport and other travel details
- Background information like marital status
- Answers to admissibility questions on health, criminal record, etc.
- Supporting documents to validate your information
Profiles are valid for 12 months, but you can update details or re-submit when expiring.
The Express Entry Pool and Invitations
All Express Entry profiles are ranked in the same pool based on their CRS scores.
In regular invitation rounds, the candidates with the highest CRS scores receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
The number of ITAs issued and minimum CRS score changes for each draw based on factors like application volumes and labor market needs.
Applying for Permanent Residence
If you get an ITA, you have 60 days to submit a full application with supporting documents providing more details.
Required documents include things like:
- Proof of work experience and credentials
- Updated medical exams
- Travel documents and police certificates
- Proof of funds to support yourself and family in Canada
Immigration officers will review your full application package. If approved, you'll get permanent residence! The total processing time can take 6 months to 1 year.
Provincial Nominee Programs and Express Entry
In addition to the federal programs, provinces/territories (except Quebec) have their own immigration programs called Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).
Many provinces have PNP streams aligned with Express Entry. Getting a provincial nomination gives you an extra 600 points toward your CRS score!
So creating an Express Entry profile is mandatory to be considered for most PNPs nowadays.
This helps increase your chances of getting an ITA.
Tips and Strategies
To maximize your CRS score:
- Meet or exceed the minimum requirements for core factors like language, education, age
- Have your credentials assessed ahead of time to claim maximum points
- Prove skilled work experience with official employment records
- Consider a job offer's impact, and the spousal points, if applicable
Due to a tie-breaker rule, having a higher individual score can give you priority over other candidates with the same total CRS score.
Try resources like the Job Bank to find employment that fits your skills and supports your immigration goals.
The process can seem complicated - seeking professional guidance from an authorized immigration consultant can be worthwhile.
The Express Entry system offers an amazing opportunity for skilled individuals around the world to permanently immigrate to Canada based on their talents and qualifications.
With the right planning and preparation, you too could get invited to become a permanent resident of Canada!
The key is understanding all the program requirements, knowing how to calculate and improve your CRS score, and making sure you submit a strong profile and application package.
It takes effort but getting permanent residence lets you embrace all the incredible opportunities Canada has to offer.