Understanding the steps to apply for Canada Express Entry has been a hassle for Canadian immigrants over the years. The Canada Express Entry system is a popular pathway for skilled and unskilled immigrants to obtain permanent residency in Canada.
Express Entry, popularly shortened as EE, is a point-based system that selects candidates based on their skills, work experience, language ability, and other ranking factors. Want to know how you can successfully immigrate to Canada through EE? This piece is for you.
Eligibility Criteria
The first step to applying for Canada Express Entry is checking which program you’re eligible for. Here are the eligibility criteria for the Canada Express Entry.
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by taking approved language tests, such as the IELTS for English and the TEF for French.
- Educational Qualifications: Applicants must have their foreign education credentials assessed and validated to meet Canada’s required academic standards. This involves obtaining an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- Work Experience: Candidates need relevant work experience in occupations classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. The experience should meet the stipulated requirements in terms of duration and skill level.
- Valid job offer: A valid job offer from a Canadian employer can significantly increase your points in the Express Entry system. This ensures that you have a job waiting for you in Canada and demonstrates your ability to contribute to the Canadian economy.
- Adaptability: The adaptability factor in the Express Entry system considers various aspects such as previous work or study experience in Canada, having a relative in Canada, or having arranged employment in the country. This factor recognises an individual’s ability to adapt and settle in Canada based on their connections and experience.
- Age: Points are awarded based on the candidate’s age, with younger applicants receiving more points. This is because younger immigrants are seen as potentially having a longer career in Canada and contributing to the economy for extended periods.
Steps to apply for Canada Express Entry
Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is a points-based system that assesses and scores candidates in the Express Entry pool. It ranks candidates based on various factors, such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.
CRS scores are calculated based on various factors, including core human capital factors, skill transferability factors, additional points for candidates with a valid job offer or provincial nomination, and others. The maximum CRS score a candidate can achieve is 1,200.
Candidates can improve their CRS score in several ways, including obtaining a higher language test score, gaining additional work experience, obtaining a higher education credential, securing a job offer, or obtaining a provincial nomination from a Canadian province.
Provincial Nominations
Provincial nominations can significantly impact a candidate’s CRS score. A provincial nomination can result in 600 additional CRS points, effectively guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada through the Express Entry system.
Different provinces and territories in Canada offer Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Each PNP has its own set of eligibility requirements and streams. Willing individuals can submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) for provincial nomination. Some of Canada’s easiest provinces to get pr include Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Nova Scotia.
Category Based Draws
Category Based Draw refers to the practice of the Canadian government periodically selecting candidates from the pool of applicants based on specific qualifications. The categories include French language proficiency, healthcare occupations, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths), trade, transport, agriculture, and agri-food occupations.
These draws are conducted to meet Canada’s labour market needs and to invite candidates who meet the eligibility criteria for permanent residency.
Creating an Express Entry Profile
Having understood the fundamentals of the EE system, let’s now break down the steps to apply for Canada Express Entry starting with profile creation.
To create a Canada Express Entry profile, you need to follow these steps
- Visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website and create an account to initiate the Canada Express Entry profile creation process.
- Complete the online profile by providing accurate personal details, educational background, work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant information.
- Submit the required documents for validation, including educational credentials, language test results, work experience documents, and other supporting materials.
- Once the profile and documents are submitted, the IRCC will review them as part of the Express Entry process.
Invitations to Apply (ITA)
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you must meet the eligibility criteria for a particular immigration program. Once the ITA is accepted, you must prepare the required documents, such as identity documents, educational credentials, work experience records, language test results, and other supporting evidence.
It’s crucial to ensure that all the necessary documents are collected and organised to submit a complete application within the specified deadline. Please complete the deadline and provide the required documents to avoid having the ITA revoked or the application rejected. Therefore, it’s important to remain diligent and proactive throughout the application process.
Post-ITA Application Process
After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada, there are yet other crucial steps to complete as part of your post-ITA application.
1. Completing Medical Examinations
One requirement for permanent residence in Canada is to undergo a medical examination to assess the applicant’s health status. This examination must be conducted by a designated panel physician approved by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is important to schedule this examination as soon as possible after receiving the ITA to avoid delays in the application process.
There are situations where medical inadmissibility is usually due to the following:
- Danger to public health
- Danger to public safety
- Excessive demand on health or social services.
The medical examination will include Tuberculosis, Kidney function, Liver function, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Venereal disease, Lipid profile, Urine analysis, Diabetes profile, Genotype, and Blood group.
2. Obtaining Police Clearance Certificates
Applicants must obtain police clearance certificates indicating they have lived for six months or more since t8. These certificates provide evidence of good conduct and are essential for assessing the applicant’s admissibility to Canada. It is vital to initiate the process of obtaining these certificates promptly, as the timelines for receiving them can vary significantly depending on the issuing authority.
3. ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)
For applicants claiming points for their education in the Express Entry system, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is necessary to verify the authenticity and equivalence of their foreign educational credentials to Canadian standards. Designated organisations approved by IRCC such as the World Education Services (WES) must conduct this assessment.
4. R10 completeness checks
One of the least known steps to apply for Canada Express Entry is the R10 completeness checks. Basically, this refers to the validation process conducted by the Canadian immigration authorities. This process involves reviewing the submitted Express Entry profiles and associated documents to ensure that all required information and documentation are complete and accurate. Application cancellation usually comes at this stage.
5. Request for Visa Letter (RFV)
It’s a communication from the Canadian visa office to an applicant approved for permanent residence. It serves as a notification to the applicant that they can apply for their permanent resident visa. This letter is an essential step in the process, as it signifies that the applicant has met the eligibility requirements and may proceed with the following steps to obtain permanent resident status in Canada.
FAQs
What happens if I have an incomplete application?
The Canada Express entry processing office rejected the application, citing an ‘incomplete application’ as the reason. The refundable fees will be returned to the applicant. To avoid any such surprises, refer to this guide for a basic understanding of the steps to apply for Canada Express Entry. Better still, book our Canada immigration services at Prepmewell to ensure stellar quality in your application process.
How long does Canada Express entry take?
The processing time for Canada Express Entry can vary depending on your circumstances and the specific immigration program you are applying for.
What is the total cost of Canada Express Entry?
The total cost for the Canada Express Entry program includes various fees, such as the processing fee, biometrics fee, and right of permanent residence fee. To get the most accurate and up-to-date information on the total cost, it’s advisable to check the official Canadian immigration website or consult with us at PrepMeWell.
Conclusion
The Canada Express Entry program provides a streamlined and efficient pathway for skilled workers to become permanent residents of Canada. By following the steps to apply for Canada Express Entry, you can increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
From creating an Express Entry profile to accepting an invitation to apply and ultimately moving to Canada, the process requires careful preparation and attention to detail. An experienced guide on the journey can be the difference in your successful application.
