Immigrate To Canada: How To Apply For Express Entry Program

In this article, we will guide you on how to apply for Express Entry Program and move to Canada. Known for being the prime destination for foreign nationals, Canada is the fastest-growing immigration center in the world.

The Express Entry Program is the fastest and easiest method to immigrate to Canada. Over the years Canada has changed its economic immigration programs. As a result, skilled immigrants, can gain entry into Canada. Skilled foreign workers can migrate to Canada, gaining access through Express Entry.

Express Entry was introduced in 2015 by the Canadian government, to replace the old “first come first serve” program. Express Entry is not just any immigration program, but a powerful online system created to manage application intake in Canada. Canada Express Entry program is the most popular immigration system offering Canadian permanent residence.

In this article, we will discuss the step-by-step process of how to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry Program.

What is Express Entry Program?

Express Entry is a powerful immigration management system created by the Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage the application process, through Canada’s federal economic immigration programs for skilled workers.

Who is eligible for Express Entry Program?

Before you begin the process of applying for the Express Entry Program, you must first determine if you are eligible. Express Entry manages applications for 3 immigration programs. Candidates must be eligible under one of the three federal economic immigration programs to enter the Express Entry pool

Canada plans to welcome over 1.5 million new national foreigners by 2025. With a large percentage coming through one of these three streams of Express Entry.

What are the requirements for Express Entry Program?

To be eligible, you must meet the following Express Entry requirements:

Have at least one year of skilled work experience
Meet the minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB), language proficiency requirements in English or French
Score enough points on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to be eligible

If you’re eligible for any of the three (3) programs, you can also apply through the Select streams under Provincial Nominee Program, which will earn you bonus points.

Meeting these requirements doesn’t mean you will receive an invitation to apply for Canadian permanent residence. Only candidates with stronger and better profiles will always be selected over candidates who simply meet the minimum requirements.

ALSO READ: How To Immigrate To Canada: The Ultimate Guide

How Can You Apply For Express Entry Program?

Step 1: Create an Online Profile

Once you have determined your eligibility, you can create an online profile on the Canadian government’s website. You will need to provide information about your work experience:

language test results,
education, and
personal information, such as a passport or travel document.

Your profile will be given a CRS score, which is used to rank you against other applicants in the Express Entry pool.

Step 2: Receive Your Confirmation of Permanent Residency

If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a Permanent Resident (PR) visa. You must present these documents when you arrive in Canada to become a permanent resident.

Step 3: Apply for Permanent Residency

If you are invited to apply for permanent residency, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) through your online account. You will have 60 days to apply for permanent residency after receiving an ITA. You will need to submit additional documents, such as police certificates and medical exams, as part of your application.

What do you need to do after receiving an ITA for permanent residence?

You will need to provide IRCC with the requested documents and pay any necessary fees. The documents that will be assessed by the IRCC include:

Valid passport;
Birth certificate;
Language test results;
Educational Credential Assessment (ECA);
Police clearance certificates;
Medicals reports;
And others

Express Entry processing time

After submitting your application, you will need to wait for processing. The processing time for Express Entry applications varies depending on the program, which usually takes six (6) months or less.

Note: Your Express Entry profile will remain active for 12 months in the entry pool. After 12 months if you have not received an invitation, you are welcome to resubmit your profile and remain in the pool.

Your profile will remain active for 12 months in the entry pool.
You will have 60 days to provide the requested full application of documents after receiving an ITA.
IRCC will process your application in about six months or less after Canadian immigration authorities receive your application.

What are the features of Express Entry?

For candidates:

Immigrate to Canada within 6-months
Secure Canadian employment
A job offer is a significant benefit, but not required

For employers:

Select pre-screened skilled immigrants
No government fees
Fast processing

How much does Express Entry cost?

The cost of Express Entry is typically about CAD 2,300 for a single applicant, or about $4,500 for a couple. Below you will the breakdown of the total cost:

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

You will not be requested to pay any government fees unless you’re applying for permanent residency. You may also need to pay provincial immigration fees if you apply through a PNP.

Do I need a job offer for Express Entry?

You do not need a job offer to apply for Express Entry. But a valid job offer will add up to 200 points to your CRS Score.

Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score

The CRS is an online assessment system used by Canadian Immigration to assess, score, and rank your profile in the Express Entry pool.

Below are the series of factors Canada uses the CRS score to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool:

Age;
Level of education;
Proficiency in French or English;
Foreign and Canadian work experience;
Spouse factors;
Connections to Canada;
Skills and
Other factors

Ideal Express Entry candidates would meet the following requirements:

Be under 30 years old
Hold at least two Bachelor’s degrees or a Master’s degree
High English and/or French language proficiency (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level nine or higher)
Minimum of three years of work experience

Other factors that can boost your CRS score can include:

Higher language proficiency in English and/or French
Bilingual in French and English
A Master’s degree or PhD education
Canadian work or educational experience
A Canadian brother or sister currently residing in Canada
An arranged employment offer from a Canadian company
A nomination from a provincial nominee program

What is an Express Entry Profile?

The Express Entry profile is an online application form submitted by the eligible candidates which includes their information such as age, work experience, education, language ability both in French and English, family details, and ties to Canada. This is a breakdown of what you need to create your Express Entry profile:

Passport
Work experience,
family details,
Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA),
Language test (ability both in French and English),

Options for language proficiency test:

If you want to prove your proficiency in English, your options are the IELTS General Training exam or the CELPIP General exam. If you want to prove your proficiency in French, your options are the TEF exam or the TCF exam.

In conclusion, the Express Entry program has revolutionized the immigration process for skilled workers who want to move to Canada. It has streamlined the application process, making it more efficient and reducing wait times for successful applicants. With its flexible eligibility criteria and fast processing times, the Express Entry program is an excellent option for those seeking to make a new life in Canada.