EXPRESS ENTRY
Canada is one of the friendliest nations in the world, especially in regards to immigrants. The country offers a high standard of living, free healthcare, quality education and there are thousands of Canadian jobs available. Express Entry plays a major role in helping skilled foreign workers to get those high-demand jobs in Canada by selecting eligible candidates for Canadian permanent residency using an efficient procedure.
People who meet the criteria for a Canadian visa program that qualifies for Express Entry provide their details online. Those who receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) have 60 days to file their Canadian visa application and will learn if they are approved for immigration to Canada in about six months or less.
Skilled foreign workers will be allowed to bring their families with them to live in Canada after they are approved for Express Entry. Their families will also be allowed to study and work in Canada as permanent residents, receive other benefits, and after three years of living in Canada, they may apply for Canadian citizenship.
Qualifying Programs
Foreign workers are allowed to apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada if they have met the eligibility criteria for one of the following Canadian visa programs;
Procedure
The Express Entry Canadian immigration system mainly involves the following procedures undertaken by applicants:
1. The Express Entry online application must be completed:
- Details of the skilled foreign worker and his/her family are entered.
- English and French language test scores are provided in the application.
- An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is also required.
2. The Canadian immigration officers check the foreign worker’s profile to see if they are eligible for Express Entry.
3. The applicants who are found to be eligible are placed in the Express Entry pool.
4. An Invitation to Apply (ITA) may be given to applicants who:
- Have one of the highest scores on the Comprehensive Ranking System; OR
- Get a Canadian job offer that qualifies for Express Entry; OR
- Receive a nomination for a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
5. Skilled foreign workers who receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency in Canada must file their visa application with all the necessary documents such as:
- A valid passport or any other approved document for travel
- Birth Certificate
- A valid English or French language test which is less than two years old
- An Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
- School certificates, diplomas and transcripts to show proof of education
- Proof of work experience
- A medical exam report showing that one is in good health
- Certificate of good conduct from the police
- Proof of Funds, showing that they can support themselves and their families when they immigrate to Canada
- A Provincial Nominee Program Nomination Certificate, if a person has been nominated through a PNP
- A document indicating that they have an approved offer to work in Canada (if that is required for a particular program, such as to receive points)
- Other necessary documents as may be requested
Important Things
to Remember
It’s crucial for all the applicants to keep their Express Entry profiles updated. For instance, when one receives a qualifying offer of Canadian employment, one should update the profile. The reason is that an applicant can receive additional points that might enable him or her to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). When one receives a nomination for a Provincial Nominee Program, one should also update their profile since it can also lead to getting an Invitation to Apply. Similarly, if a person completes a higher education program, it should be included in the profile. For example, if someone had a Bachelor’s Degree when they initially completed their Express Entry profile, but later received a Master’s Degree, it should be indicated when updating the profile. This process will boost the score on the Comprehensive Ranking System and might even lead to an ITA.
Additional factors, such as a person’s marital status or if they have a baby and other relevant information, should also be updated in the profile. Canadian immigration authorities cannot consider new details that might affect an individual’s Express Entry profile if they are not informed about the changes by the applicant. So, keep your Express Entry profile up-to-date!
