Immigrate Through Express Entry

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Canada's Express Entry system is one of the most popular and efficient ways for skilled immigrants to settle permanently in Canada and contribute to the Canadian economy. This detailed, step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, from understanding how Express Entry works to what you need to do once your application is approved.

Table of Contents

1. What is Express Entry?
2. How Express Entry Works
3. Programs Under Express Entry
4. Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
5. Step 2: Gather Required Documents
6. Step 3: Create Your Express Entry Profile
7. Step 4: Waiting in the Pool and Invitations to Apply (ITAs)
8. Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residence
9. Step 6: After Your Application is Approved
10. Helpful Tips and Resources

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1. What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an online system that manages applications for three federal immigration programs for skilled workers: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). It’s a point-based system designed to fast-track the immigration process for individuals who can help boost Canada’s economy.

Key Features of Express Entry:

• Efficient: Most applications are processed in 6 months or less.
• Point-Based: Candidates are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which scores candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, language skills, and more.
• Invitation to Apply (ITA): Only the highest-ranking candidates receive an ITA to apply for permanent residence.

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2. How Express Entry Works

The Express Entry process can be broken down into several clear steps:

1. Create a Profile: Submit your details online. You’ll receive a CRS score based on the information provided.
2. Enter the Pool: Once you submit your profile, you enter the Express Entry pool, where you’ll be ranked against other candidates.
3. Receive an ITA: If you’re among the highest-scoring candidates in a particular round of invitations, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
4. Submit a PR Application: After receiving the ITA, you’ll have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residence, including all required documents.

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3. Programs Under Express Entry

Express Entry manages three immigration programs. It’s important to know which program you’re applying under, as the eligibility requirements differ.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

• For individuals with foreign work experience.
• Requires at least one year of continuous, full-time skilled work experience in the last 10 years.
• Requires meeting the minimum language proficiency and education requirements.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

• For individuals with qualifications in a skilled trade.
• Requires a valid job offer or certification of qualification in your trade.
• You must meet minimum language requirements and have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the past 5 years.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• For individuals with at least 1 year of Canadian work experience in the last 3 years.
• Must meet language proficiency requirements.
• Best suited for temporary workers or international students who have gained work experience in Canada.

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4. Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Before you start the process, you need to determine if you’re eligible for Express Entry. Each program under Express Entry has specific requirements, so you’ll need to check the criteria for the program that fits your background.

General Eligibility Requirements:

1. Work Experience: Must be in a skilled job (classified under National Occupational Classification or NOC).
2. Education: Post-secondary education is typically required.
3. Language Skills: Must take an approved language test (English or French).
4. Proof of Funds: Show you have enough money to settle in Canada unless you’re already working or have a valid job offer.

Tools to Check Eligibility:

• National Occupational Classification (NOC): This system categorizes all occupations in Canada based on skill level. You need to determine if your job is considered skilled under NOC.
• Online Eligibility Tool: The Government of Canada provides an online tool to quickly check if you qualify for Express Entry.

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5. Step 2: Gather Required Documents

You’ll need a number of documents to create your Express Entry profile and later to apply for permanent residence. It’s important to gather these documents early to avoid delays in the process.

Key Documents You’ll Need:

1. Language Test Results: You must take a test approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to show your language proficiency. The most common tests are IELTS (English) and TEF (French).
2. Education Credential Assessment (ECA): If you studied outside Canada, you’ll need an ECA to confirm that your education is equivalent to Canadian standards.
3. Passport: A valid passport or travel document.
4. Proof of Funds: Bank statements, proof of investments, or other documents to show you have enough money to support yourself and your family.
5. Police Certificates: You’ll need police clearance from every country where you’ve lived for 6 months or more since the age of 18.
6. Medical Exam: An IRCC-approved doctor must conduct the exam to ensure you meet Canada’s health standards.
7. Job Offer (if applicable): If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you’ll need to provide documentation of this.

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6. Step 3: Create Your Express Entry Profile

Once you’ve gathered your documents and checked your eligibility, the next step is to create an Express Entry profile.

How to Create a Profile:

1. Sign In: Start by creating an IRCC secure account or signing in to your existing account.
2. Complete the Profile: Enter your personal information, education, work experience, language test results, and other details.
3. CRS Score: After you submit your profile, you’ll be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score will determine your rank in the Express Entry pool.

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7. Step 4: Waiting in the Pool and Invitations to Apply (ITAs)

After submitting your profile, you’ll enter the Express Entry pool where you’ll wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation.

Tips to Improve Your CRS Score:

• Improve Language Scores: Retake your language test to achieve higher scores.
• Get More Work Experience: Gain additional work experience to boost your score.
• Obtain a Job Offer: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can add points to your CRS score.
• Provincial Nomination: Some provinces offer Express Entry candidates the chance to be nominated, which significantly increases your score.

Rounds of Invitations:

• IRCC conducts regular rounds of invitations. During each round, candidates with the highest CRS scores are invited to apply for permanent residence.

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8. Step 5: Apply for Permanent Residence

If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you’ll have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.

Steps to Apply:

1. Complete the PR Application: Fill out the necessary forms in your IRCC account.
2. Upload Documents: You’ll need to provide copies of all the documents listed above (language test results, police certificates, proof of funds, etc.).
3. Pay the Fees: The application fee for a single applicant is CAD 1,325. If you’re including a spouse or dependents, the fees will be higher.
4. Submit the Application: After reviewing your information, submit the application online.

What Happens Next?

• After submission, you’ll receive a confirmation that your application was received. IRCC will then begin processing your application. Most applications are processed in 6 months or less.

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9. Step 6: After Your Application is Approved

Once your application is approved, you’re almost ready to move to Canada!

Steps After Approval:

1. Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): You’ll receive a COPR document, which confirms your status as a permanent resident.
2. Travel to Canada: You can now plan your move to Canada. You’ll need to show your COPR and other documents when you enter the country.
3. Settle in Canada: Once you arrive, you’ll receive your permanent resident card, which you can use for identification and to access services in Canada.

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10. Helpful Tips and Resources

Tips for Success:

• Keep Documents Ready: Start gathering your documents early, especially police certificates and medical exams, as they can take time to process.
• Monitor Rounds of Invitations: Stay updated on the latest rounds of invitations to understand the CRS cut-off scores.
• Improve Your CRS Score: If your score is too low, consider improving your language skills or gaining additional work experience to increase your chances.

Additional Resources:

• IRCC Website: Official source for all information related to Express Entry and immigration to Canada.
• National Occupational Classification (NOC): Check if your occupation qualifies for Express Entry.
• Processing Times: See current processing times for Express Entry applications.

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By following these steps, you can navigate the Express Entry process confidently and increase your chances of successfully immigrating to Canada as a skilled worker. Good luck on your journey to becoming a permanent resident of Canada!

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