Canada Express Entry | Get Canada Express Entry Visa

The most common and desirable pathway for those looking to settle permanently in Canada is the express entry system of Canada.

The candidate will be assessed for the express entry visa during this process; if qualified, they are considered as an express entry visa candidate.

What are the Types of Canada Immigration Express Entry Programs?

Four different programs are available through the Express Entry system of Canada, each customized to a certain applicant type looking to get permanent residence in Canada. The eligibility requirements for each program vary and are listed below:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is designed for skilled foreign workers with at least one year of professional work experience and a high language proficiency score of at least seven in either French or English.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This Program is designed for seasoned workers and requires two years of work experience in a skilled profession within the previous five years, in addition to a language proficiency level of at least 4 or 5.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): The Canadian Experience Class program is intended for foreign workers who have previously worked in Canada. In order to be eligible, applicants must have one year of work experience in Canada within the previous three years and a language proficiency score of five to seven in either English or French.
4. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):  The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is meant for people who have been nominated by a province in Canada. Depending on their qualifications and the needs of the province, candidates must fulfill particular requirements in order to be eligible.

From submitting your Canada Express Entry profile to getting your Invitation to Apply (ITA), applications for the competitive Express Entry System for Canada are processed in a time frame of six months to a year. Depending on the applicant’s qualifications and unique circumstances, the timing could vary.

The steps involved in the Canada PR Express Entry process are listed below as follows:

• Submit Your Profile: You have to submit your profile to the Express Entry pool in order to begin. Personal information, educational background, employment history, language skills, and other relevant details will be required.

• Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS): The CRS score for Express Entry will be used to evaluate your profile. Age, education, employment history, language skills, and other elements which influence your ability to settle in Canada are taken into account while calculating this score. Your chances of being invited to apply (ITA) in the upcoming Canada immigration Express Entry draw are largely determined by your CRS score.

• Receiving the ITA: You will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR Canada Express Entry if your CRS score is sufficiently high to meet the cutoff in an upcoming Canada Express Entry draw.

• Submitting Required Documents: Upon receiving the ITA, you must submit the necessary paperwork required for express entry system of canada, which includes police clearances, educational records, language proficiency tests, medical examinations, and proof of work experience. You have sixty days to turn in these documents so they can be processed.

• Final Steps and PR Visa Issuance:  If all the requirements are met, you will receive your PR Canada Express Entry visa following the processing of your application. Usually, this happens six months or less after your entire application is submitted.

Documents Required for Canada Express Entry Programs Express Entry

The following are the documents required for the Express Entry System of Canada:

1. Valid passport
2. Police clearance certificate
3. Proof of financial funds
4. Medical examination certificates
5. Language proficiency test results
6. Job offer from a Canadian employer
7. Provincial nomination (if applicable)

How to Apply for Canada Express Entry Program?

Every program has various requirements and criteria, so the process also varies. The application forms for the first three programs listed above are identical, but the PNP process varies based on the province you choose.

Below is an explanation of how to apply for the Canada Express Entry Program.

• Get Essential Documents : The documents required for express entry include:

1. Valid passport
2. IELTS score
3. Job offer letter from a Canadian employer
4. Police certificates and medical records
5. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
6. Proof of funds

• Submitting the Profile: Create an account and enter the following information to get started:

1. Age
2. Nationality
3. Education
4. Work experience

Once your profile has been completed, send in the required documents. You will receive notification from the Canadian government within 6 to 8 months of your selection.

• Invitation to Apply: You will receive an Invitation to Apply for Canada Express PR if you are chosen and your points are high enough.

• Apply for PR: You have 60 days from the time you receive the ITA to submit your application for Canada PR express entry and the necessary documentation. After reviewing your application, the Canadian government will let you know if it was accepted or denied.

How Many Points are Needed for the Express Entry System of Canada?

If your documents are complete and you properly follow the instructions, obtaining Express Entry to Canada is simple. Because the Express Entry program uses a point system, you need to score at least 67 points out of 100. Six important selection criteria are used to calculate these points, and the points for each are listed below:

• Language Skills: Up to 28 points
• Education: Up to 25 points
• Work Experience: Up to 15 points
• Age: Up to 12 points
• Arranged Employment in Canada: Up to 10 points
• Adaptability: Up to 10 points

The Canada Express Entry program is most suitable for candidates with diplomas, bachelor’s or master’s degrees, specialized work experience, and fluency in English and/or French.

There are various categories for the express entry system of Canada, including:

• FSW (FEDERAL SKILLED WORKERS)

Skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada can apply for this program. One of the most well-liked and well-known pathways within the express entry system of Canada PR process is the Federal Skilled Workers (FSW) category. To be qualified, applicants must fulfill certain requirements, such as having job experience and being able to speak the language.

• FST (FEDERAL SKILLED TRADES)

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for talented workers who wish to acquire Canada PR based on their experience in a skilled trade, Candidates must have paid or commission-based job experience in a trade in order to be eligible.

• CEC (CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS)

Those who have previously worked in Canada and wish to become permanent residents are the target audience for the CEC (Canadian Experience Class) program. Candidates must have worked in Canada for at least a year within the previous three years. Compared to other Express Entry programs, CEC applications are processed more quickly, which makes this program desired.

• PNP (PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows skilled people to relocate to a specific Canadian province or territory. Depending on their training and professional background, the program allows applicants to support the local economy. Candidates must fulfill the requirements specific to the province in which they intend to settle, as each province has its own set of rules.

With the above mentioned programs regarding Canada’s expedited admission, being a permanent resident of Canada makes it much simpler to settle down. The fact that a candidate does not require a work offer in order to relocate to Canada is another benefit. Nevertheless, some of the programs demand that applicants receive work offers. Foreigners can still enter Canada in a number of ways without a job offer. 

When an application is submitted for any of these programs, it will be taken into consideration in order to grant the candidate a Canadian express entry visa.

To be eligible for any of the Express Entry programs for Canadian permanent residency, the candidate must meet the following criteria:

• Work Experience : At least one year of full-time (or comparable part-time) work experience in a skilled field is required.

• Language Proficiency:  English or French with at least CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark) score.

• Education: Having successfully completed post-secondary coursework in accordance with Canadian standards, as confirmed by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

These are essential prerequisites for entering through the express entry system of Canada Program. Candidates must meet these requirements as well as have a competitive CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score. Stronger profiles increase an applicant’s chances of being invited to apply (ITA) and provide them preference in the Express Entry pool. Longer wait times could be experienced by those who fulfill the minimal requirements but have a lower CRS score.

• IELTS

One of the most important first steps in the express entry system of Canada is getting a high IELTS score. Your profile can gain up to 160 points for a high IELTS score. You can also receive an additional 50 points if your post-secondary education meets Canadian standards.

You can get an extra 50 points if you have worked for at least three years. You may retake the IELTS and update your results on your current Express Entry profile if your score was below average. This flexibility gives you a big advantage when it comes to raising your CRS score for the Canada Express Entry application.

• Work Experience

Your CRS score is greatly influenced by your work experience. Depending on their work experience, skilled people who apply through the express entry system of canada receive extra points. More points are granted for more years of experience. Candidates with Canadian job experience are more competitive as it is valued higher than work experience from other countries. It is best for applicants with little experience to come to Canada as students or temporary workers in order to gain Canadian experience. 

In addition, choosing the correct National Occupational Classification  (NOC) code will greatly improve your score because the NOC system classifies employment according to skill levels. When applying for Canada PR, you will need to show that your job experience matches your NOC code, so choose carefully.

• Spouse

You can receive extra points if you are applying with a spouse or common-law partner. This isn’t applicable for every candidate, though. By retaking a language exam to raise their score or obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for their education, your spouse or partner can help you with your CRS score.

Depending on your spouse’s profile, it may be more beneficial for them to submit their own profile instead of yours. You can increase your chances of success by submitting two profiles with each partner listed as an accompanying party if both have outstanding profiles. You may decide to identify your spouse as non-accompanying and sponsor them to join you later after getting your PR, even if their profile is stronger.

• Job Offer

If your CRS score is low, you may be able to get a job offer from a Canadian company or through the Canadian Job Bank. You can significantly increase your chances of being chosen for permanent residency by adding 50–200 points to your profile with a legitimate employment offer.

• Provincial Nomination

Within the Express Entry system of Canada, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) provides a special path with many advantages. Your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply (ITA) are significantly increased if you earn a provincial nomination, which raises your CRS score by 600 points.

The Express Entry process is comparable to the nomination processes in many Canadian provinces. Selecting the appropriate provincial program might be a calculated move to raise your profile and increase your chances of obtaining Canada PR.

The Canadian government authorizes a qualified applicant to reside in Canada if they are accepted under the Express Entry immigration program. The program grants them a Canada PR visa upon approval. They have access to healthcare, social services, and education as permanent residents, and they are free to work or move anywhere in Canada. 

Also, Canadian law protects them and gives them many of the same rights as citizens. They would be able to apply for Canadian citizenship after a particular period as a permanent resident. It is important to remember that permanent residents cannot cast votes in Canadian elections.

The answer is yes! Foreign nationals can immigrate to Canada with their family members under certain programs. However, depending on the immigration program’s policies, family members will be subject to specific laws and regulations. For instance, a candidate may bring their dependent spouse and children with them under the Express Entry program, but parents are typically not allowed. 

Furthermore, Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor their parents, grandparents, and common-law partners for immigration through family sponsorship programs. Which family members can accompany the candidate will ultimately depend on the program type they select.

The Canadian government will provide you a PR visa and a COPR (Confirmation of Permanent Residence) if your application is accepted. Your photo and important personal information will be included in the COPR.

The applicant must appear for an interview with the immigration authorities if they are already in Canada. The authorities will examine the candidate’s documents and inquire about their relocation plans during the interview.

You can take advantage of free pre-arrival services before you travel to Canada, which will help you adjust to the new country and give you an idea of what life will be like there. These services help guarantee that the Canadian government will accept your educational credentials.

Canada launched the ArriveCAN app as part of the Express Entry procedure. Your name, birthdate, travel documents, and contact information are just some of the personal data that this app saves. When you arrive in Canada, you will need to present the computer-generated receipt that the app generates to the Canadian border officer and the airline carrier. You can still use the app once you’re in Canada.

(Note: Those entering Canada via the Express Entry program must have ArriveCAN.)

Officers from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) will greet you when you arrive in Canada and will examine your identification documents and biometrics. The same questions that were asked during your application will also be asked by the officers. All of your paperwork, including your passport, should always be carried with you instead of packed in your luggage.

The officer will formally welcome you to Canada as a permanent resident after these processes are finished and your documentation is confirmed. Furthermore, they will check the Canadian mailing address to which your PR card will be delivered.

You can go to the Canadian Border Security Agency’s (CBSA) official website for further information on what you are permitted to carry into Canada.

In Canada, you can find immigration consultants to help you adjust to your new life and settle down in this amazing country.

Read the Welcome to Canada guide for further information, and use the Living in Canada tool to locate the appropriate services.