Express Entry is an internet technology that we utilise to manage skilled worker immigration applications.
Express Entry is a mechanism used by the Canadian government to manage permanent residence applications for some economic immigration programmes in order to fill labour shortages. This immigration system, which was launched on January 1, 2015, is used to select and communicate with talented and qualified applicants, as well as manage a pool of immigration-ready skilled workers.
Express Entry is a programme that allows qualified workers “who are most likely to thrive economically” to come to Canada quickly. When compared to a current system, the system is shown to be more efficient in terms of processing timelines, with 80 percent of applications handled in 6 months or less.
What is Express Entry?
The Canadian government uses Express Entry, an online system, to organise and process applications for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada and get permanent residence status.
How does Express Entry work?
- If you complete an Express Entry profile, your application will be graded using a points system.
- You will be invited to apply for permanent residence as a skilled immigrant if you are highly ranked.
- Following your application, your PR application will be processed within 6 months.
How much does Express Entry cost?
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Immigrating to Canada via Express Entry costs around $2,300 CAD for a single applicant and $4,500 CAD for a spouse. The costs are broken down as follows:
- Language tests: Average cost – $300
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): Average cost – $200
- Biometrics: $85/person
- Government fees: $1,325/adult & $225/child
- Medical examination fees: average cost – $450/adult & $250/child
- Police clearance certificates: average cost – $100/country
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There are no expenses associated with submitting your initial Express Entry profile to the government. Fees are only required if you are invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada. If you apply through a PNP, you may be required to pay provincial immigration fees in addition to the government processing expenses.
Eligibility for express entry program:
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The Canada Express Entry Program evaluates applications using a points-based system. The primary goal of this approach is to identify applicants who have the best possibility of prospering in Canada after they arrive. The points scale has a maximum score of 1200 and assesses you and your spouse (if applicable) on the following:
- Age
- The highest level of education
- Language skills
- Canadian work experience
- Other work experience
- Skill transferability
- Other factors
Steps to apply for the express entry program
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Step 1: Complete your ECA
You should get your Educational Credentials Assessment, or ECA, if you received your education outside of Canada. The ECA certifies that your educational credentials are equivalent to those recognised by Canada’s educational system.
Step 2: Finish your language aptitude tests.
Completing the appropriate English language competence examinations is the next step. In IELTS, a minimum score of 6 bands (CLB 7) is required. At the time of application, your test score should be less than two years old.
If you know French, you will have an advantage over other applicants. The Test de evaluation de Francians (TEF) is a French language test that will demonstrate your competency in the language.
Step 3: Make a profile for Express Entry.
To begin, you’ll need to create an online Express Entry profile. Your age, employment experience, education, language skills, and other facts should all be included in your profile. Based on these information, you will be given a score.
Step 4: Find out what your CRS score is.
Your profile is ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score if it is accepted into the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score is determined by factors such as your age, work experience, adaptability, and so on. If you have the required CRS score, your profile is included to the Express Entry pool.
Step 5: Obtain your Invitation to Apply (ITA)
If your profile is chosen from the Express Entry pool, the Canadian government will send you an ITA, which you can use to begin the paperwork for your PR visa.
How long does Express Entry take?
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From the time an Express Entry profile is submitted to the time a permanent residence visa is issued, the procedure can take as little as six months. However, this will not be the case in all circumstances.
If you do not receive an invitation to apply, your Express Entry profile will remain active in the pool of candidates for another 12 months. If you have not gotten an invitation after 12 months, you may resubmit your profile and stay in the pool. To break it down even more, consider the following:
- In the Express Entry pool, your profile will be valid for 12 months.
- You will have 60 days from the date of issuing of the ITA to submit the requisite full application of papers.
- IRCC may process your permanent resident visa application in roughly six months after the immigration authorities receive your entire application.
What is the difference between CRS score and Express Entry eligibility points?
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Candidates must first earn at least 67 on the FSW eligibility points grid in order to apply for the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). A CRS score will be assigned to an FSW candidate, or any other Express Entry candidate, once they have been accepted into the Express Entry pool.
In the Express Entry pool, Canada utilises the CRS score to rank all candidates against one another. The Government of Canada operates an Express Entry draw every two weeks, with a minimum CRS score cut-off.
Those in the pool who have a CRS score higher than the cut-off will be sent an Invitation to Apply for Permanent Residence in Canada.
How to create an Express Entry profile?
You must first create an IRCC secure account before you can build an Express Entry profile. If a representative is submitting a profile on your behalf, they will use their Authorized Paid Representatives Portal to do so.
After you’ve created an account, you’ll need to fill out an eligibility questionnaire to see if you’re eligible for the Express Entry programme.
If you qualify, fill out an online form with your information, including your age, employment experience, education, and language test scores, if applicable. After you submit the form, the Express Entry system will automatically calculate your CRS score and identify which programme you are eligible for.
How is COVID-19 impacting Express Entry?
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Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Canada is holding regular Express Entry drawings and is admitting the biggest number of immigrants since the program’s inception in 2015.
Canada’s unwavering commitment to immigration is the reason for the large number of Express Entry invitations. To support a strong economy and society, Canada requires a large number of qualified workers to start a new life in the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The instructions for obtaining a police clearance certificate (PCC) for Express Entry vary per nation. Visit the IRCC’s website for country-specific details on how to obtain a PCC.
You must obtain a reference letter from each of your employers over the previous ten years in order to offer verification for each term of work experience on your Express Entry profile.
If you obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you have 60 days to file a permanent residence application. If you miss the deadline or decline the invitation, your ITA will be lost, and you may not be invited again.
A 12-month Express Entry profile is valid. If you become ineligible for Express Entry while in the pool, your profile may be withdrawn before the 12-month period is up.
Log into your IRCC account and click “View the applications you filed,” then “Express Entry profile status,” and “View your profile” to check the status of your Express Entry profile.
Unlike certain programmes that open and close application intake throughout the year, Express Entry allows candidates to submit an Express Entry profile at any time during the year.
Express Entry is a system that manages permanent residency applications for three different immigration categories.
For Express Entry applicants, there is no upper age limit. Applicants aged 20 to 29 receive the most points for their age. If you are over 35 but have a high level of education or connections in Canada, they can easily compensate for any points lost due to your age.
Final Thoughts
It is illegal to provide false information or lie about your Express Entry profile. If someone is charged with misrepresentation, they may be barred from applying to Canada for five years.
We hope this clarifies what express entry is, but if it doesn’t, feel free to leave your questions in the comments section below. We will gladly respond to your questions.
