Being an online system, the Express Entry program is used by the government of Canada to provide permanent residence to skilled professionals. Eligible applicants submit their profiles on the IRCC website. After that, they obtain a CRS score. 

After every two weeks, IRCC invites applicants with the highest CRS score to apply for PR. In addition, the Express Entry program has three different draws, i.e., category-based draws, program-specific draws, & general draws. 

Stick to this blog to learn more about Express Entry Program. 

Express Entry Program Overview 

Here are some FAQs regarding the Express Entry program. Take a look! 

• What is Express Entry? 

Being an online electronic system, Express Entry is used to manage applications of skilled professionals who wish to reside permanently in Canada. 

Once an interested candidate submits the profile online, the federal government makes sure if the applicant is eligible for an Express Entry program or not. Eligible applicants are accepted in the Express Entry pool & are ranked according to CRS, i.e., Comprehensive Ranking System.

The CRS is a points-based system used by the government to assess & rank applicants in the Express Entry Pool. Moreover, the CRS score is calculated on the basis of an applicant’s age, work experience, language skills, education, along with other factors. 

After every two weeks, the government of Canada selects the highest-scoring applicants from the pool & provides them with ITAs, i.e., Invitation To Apply for permanent residence. Moreover, Canada has specific categories where certain applicants might be eligible to get ITAs through targeted draws. 

• How does Express Entry work?

Express Entry is extremely simple & consists of two significant stages. In the first stage, applicants eligible for Express Entry demonstrate to the Canadian government their expression of interest in acquiring Canadian permanent inhabitant status. On the other hand, in the second major stage, the government of Canada holds rounds of invitations, wherein it invites the applicants with the highest scores to immigrate to Canada & become permanent inhabitants. 

The three types of Express Entry draws are:

• General Rounds

IRCC invites applicants with high CRS scores to apply for PR. 

• Program-Specific Rounds

In this round, IRCC invites applicants with the highest CRS scores who are also eligible for the Express Entry program. 

• Category-Based Rounds   

IRCC invites candidates with the highest CRS scores who are eligible for particular categories designated by IRCC to promote the nation’s economic goals. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on submitting your Express Entry Profile & getting a PR visa to immigrate to Canada. 

• Step 1: Find if you are eligible for Express Entry or not. 
• Step 2: Complete your language testing & obtain an ECA.
• Step 3: Submit your Express Entry profile on the official website of IRCC. 
• Step 4: Wait to see if you can receive an ITA for PR from IRCC. 
• Step 5: Submit your APR – Application for Permanent Residence to IRCC & disburse your fees within the deadline. You are required to include your medical exam & police certificates as a part of this step. IRCC will further offer you an AOR, i.e., Acknowledgement of Receipt. 
• Step 6: Submit your biometrics as soon as IRCC asks you to do so. 
• Step 7: Wait for IRCC to arrive at a final decision on your APR. IRCC claims to finalize applications in six months or less. Once approved, you will obtain a COPR, i.e., Confirmation Of Permanent Residence & a permanent resident visa, so that you can easily travel to Canada & complete your landing. 

 

• What are targeted Express Entry Draws? 

In category-based Express Entry draws, IRCC invites applicants to meet the economic goals who are eligible for specific categories established by Sean Fraser. Targeted draws will complement other kinds of Express Entry dares as well. In addition, IRCC will also consider each applicant’s CRS score while holding targeted draws. 

This implies that even if a candidate falls under the targeted category/ classification, they still need to meet the minimum CRS score to have an opportunity to get an ITA in the particular draw. 

• How long does the Express Entry Procedure take? 

An Express Entry profile is valid for up to one year. Applicants who obtain an ITA can expect the Canadian government to process their PR applications within a time period of six months. In addition, the government of Canada begins to measure the processing time when they receive a complete PR application. The time of processing ends when a final decision is made on the PR application. 

However, if an applicant does not obtain an ITA within one year of making an Express Entry profile, they can simply resubmit their profiles if they are still eligible. 

• What are the pros & cons of Express Entry? 

There are numerous strengths & limitations of Express Entry, but the pros, however, outweigh the cons. 

Canada got its inspiration for the Express Entry program from Australia & New Zealand. Interestingly, New Zealand was the first country to launch an EOI, i.e., an Expression Of Interest system, in the year 2004, followed by Australia in 2012. 

In addition, Canada launched its Express Entry program in 2015 to improve/ enhance the way it processes skilled professional applications & offer a better experience to help applicants immigrate effortlessly. 

Before Express Entry, Canada operated an application system where applicants were served on a first-come, first-serve basis. The issue with the traditional/ old model is that many applications were submitted, and there were spots for skilled professionals every year. Well, this resulted in successful applicants often waiting for several years for IRCC to offer them a permanent inhabitant visa. 

IRCC initiated the Express Entry process so that it could easily issue PR visas to applicants at a quicker pace. Today, the visa is issued in just six months as compared to six years under the previous system. 

Moreover, to be faster, Express Entry is highly beneficial to immigrant applicants because the CRS is based on the research of the Canadian government. This research has determined what attributes enable immigrants to succeed in Canada & find good jobs. In addition, immigrants who are young as well as middle-aged have high education levels, sufficient work experience, & high levels of French/ English skills to get a job in the Canadian job market. 

Since 2015 IRCC research reveals that Express Entry immigrants perform at a high level in the labor market. Moreover, these immigrants can feel confident that they will be in a solid position to work in a professional job in Canada eventually. 

The most significant limitation of Express Entry is that it does not offer applicants certainty that they will obtain an ITA or not. Under the previous system, applicants were expected to obtain a PR visa as long as they met all the requirements. Under the Express Entry program, applicants with the highest CRS scores can get a PR visa. 

However, if we look at the brighter side, Express Entry draws occur regularly every two weeks, thus giving you many opportunities to obtain an ITA. Moreover, you can always try & increase your CRS scores by obtaining Canadian job offers, a provincial nomination, acquiring work experience, improving English/ French skills, etc. In addition, Canada offers over 100 different skilled worker immigration pathways to help applicants immigrate to the nation effortlessly. 

 

• How much does Express Entry cost? 

Submitting the Express Entry profile to the Canadian government pool of suitable applicants is free. However, applicants incur some costs before submitting their profiles. 

Here are the possible costs you might have to pay before submitting your profile: 

• English/ French language test by a language-testing organization which the government of Canada has approved. 
• ECA, i.e., Educational Credential Assessment.
• Hiring an immigration consultant/ lawyer.
• Translating documents into French or English.

 

Here are government fees & additional costs after you receive an ITA. 

• Biometrics
• Medical Exams
• Police Background Checks 
• The Canadian Government fee for processing your PR application 

 

CONTENTS	FEES
Processing fee + Right of PR fee ($850 + $515)	$1365
Spouse processing fee ($850) + Right of PR fee ($515)0	$1365
Dependent child fee	$230 per child

 

• Should I hire a lawyer for Express Entry? 

No, you do not need to hire a lawyer for the Express Entry process, but it can benefit you. 

An experienced, trustworthy, & professional Canadian immigration lawyer can boost your chances of succeeding under Express Entry for a legal fee. 

In addition, they can offer you deep insights on how to get the maximum number of CRS points & help you throughout the process, i.e., from submitting your profile to preparing your PR application after obtaining an ITA. In addition, it is the lawyer’s job to ensure you do not commit any mistakes or misrepresent your immigration application. 

Cohen Immigration Law firm is authorized explicitly by IRCC to represent applicants in the Express Entry process. This law firm has over 45 years of experience supporting skilled professionals to immigrate to Canada. In addition, Cohen Immigration Law Firm is retained by many Express Entry applicants every year who trust it with submitting a strong profile to secure a PR visa after getting an ITA. 

 

• Do I need a job offer under Express Entry? 

No. You do not require a job offer under Express Entry. Getting a job offer doesn’t guarantee whether you will succeed or not. However, it will help you increase your CRS score. 

In addition, you can obtain over 50-200 extra CRS points if you get a job offer valid under Express Entry. 

• Do Express Entry applicants find good jobs in the country? 

Yes, a study by IRCC reveals that immigrants are very successful in the job market of Canada as they have the human capital characteristics desired by employers. 

The study finds that immigrants tend to earn higher incomes/ salaries than the average Canadian professional, thus having high employment rates in the country. Express Entry immigrant applicants are expected to continue to do well in the Canadian job market as their skills will remain high in demand by employers as more & more professionals retire in the upcoming decade. 

Canada relies on immigration to remove fiscal or economic challenges which are caused by its low birth rate & rapidly aging population.    

• What sorts of backgrounds do immigrants have?

Every year, Canada welcomes applicants via Express Entry from across the globe. Since it became the first country in the world to launch a point-based system, Canada does not screen skilled professionals based on their origin or country. Instead, the country only evaluates applicants based on their ability to integrate into the job market. 

To do this, the CRS assesses skilled professionals based on their education, age, language skills, work experience, etc. Since there are numerous talented people across the globe & Canada has a diversified economy, the nation welcomes people from different countries with different skill sets & occupational backgrounds each year. 

• Can my family arrive in Canada under Express Entry? 

Yes, you can include your husband/ wife/ common-law partner under Express Entry. In addition, you can also include your dependent children, your spouse’s dependent children, & dependent children of your dependent children. Moreover, if you are eligible under the Express Entry program, your accompanying family members will also get PR. 

Dependent children might be: 

• Under 22 years of age & are not spouses or common-law partners. 
• 22 years of age & were dependent on their parent’s financial support. They cannot support themselves financially because of a physical/ mental health condition. 

 

Express Entry Eligibility & CRS Score 

1. Am I eligible for Express Entry? 

In order to be eligible/ suitable for Express Entry, applicants must meet the criteria of at least one of the federal immigration programs mentioned below: 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program

This program is the primary economic immigration pathway of Canada. The minimum requirements include at least one year of continuous full-time/ paid Canadian work experience in the last ten years in the skilled profession under NOC (National Occupational Classification) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3. In addition, applicants can also be validated for intermediate or better language ability in English/ French. Moreover, meeting the FSWP minimum work, language ability, & education criteria, applicants must also acquire at least 67 points under the points grid. 

• Federal Skilled Trades Program 

The FSTP is for applicants who wish to become permanent inhabitants by qualifying for a skilled trade. The eligibility criteria for this Federal Skilled Trades Program include: 

• Having at least two years of work experience within five years of submitting an application.
• Meet the requirements of a skilled trade.
• Have a full-time job/ employment offer in Canada for a period of at least one year or have a qualification certificate in the skilled trade which an official Canadian authority has provided.
• Meet language proficiency criteria. 

• Canadian Experience Class  

The CEC offers foreign nationals with Canadian experience an opportunity to obtain PR. Applicants must have obtained at least one year of technical, skilled, or professional work experience in Canada within three years of the application date, along with meeting the language proficiency criteria. 

• How to become eligible for Express Entry? 

You have numerous options for becoming eligible for the Express Entry program. The first thing you can do is to recognize why you are ineligible. For instance, you might not be eligible under FSWP because you didn’t meet the program’s minimum work, education, or language requirements. Addressing the cause of your ineligibility is the first way you can submit your profile. 

The second significant step is to pursue the educational pathway towards permanent residence. In order to become eligible for CEC, you require at least one year of work experience within the last three years, along with meeting the minimum language proficiency requirements. 

In addition, you can also become eligible by working in Canada after the completion of your studies. An added benefit of this approach is that you will be rewarded additional CRS points because of your work experience & education in Canada. 

Moreover, you have many other options as well, even if you do not become eligible for Express Entry. Well, that’s because Canada operates over 100 different skilled professional immigration streams. 

• What Canadian immigration alternatives do I have? 

As discussed earlier, the country offers over 100 different immigration streams for skilled professionals seeking PR visas. You can pursue one or more of the alternatives mentioned below simultaneously. 

• Express Entry

Canada welcomes the majority of its skilled worker immigrants via Express Entry. 

• PNP

It is the second significant pathway via which Canada welcomes skilled workers. 

• Quebec

This province operates its own immigration system to recruit skilled workers. 

• Federal Immigration Programs

Along with Express Entry programs, IRCC offers other skilled professional immigration pathways. Some options include moving to Atlantic provinces, rural/ northern communities, working as a caregiver, beginning a business, being self-employed, or working in the agri-food sector. 

• Pursue A Study Pathway

Studying in Canada is a prominent stepping stone for obtaining a PR visa via the immigration options mentioned above. 

• Work In Canada

If you already have a job offer, you can begin your immigration journey by immigrating to Canada on a work permit. Further, you can pursue the above options to transition to immigration status.  

• Is my CRS score enough under the Express Entry Program? 

Reviewing the recent results of Express Entry is the best way to know what CRS scores are competitive for individuals seeking to obtain an ITA for a PR visa. 

In addition, you mustn’t feel discouraged if your CRS score is below the cut-off. The cut-off requirements change in every Express Entry draw. 

Moreover, if your C RS score is slightly lower than the current cut-offs, you must wait patiently for the next cut-off to include the score you have achieved. 

Finally, if your CRS score is very low as compared to the current cut-offs, don’t feel demoralized. Being in the Express Entry pool offers you numerous opportunities to obtain the provincial nomination, guaranteeing your success under the program. Thus, in the meantime, you can seek to obtain a job offer, improve your CRS score, pursue some immigration programs, etc., to get a PR visa. 

• How can I improve/ enhance my Express Entry CRS score? 

To improve your Express Entry CRS score, you must: 

• Ensure you claim all the CRS points that you are eligible for
• Improve your language test marks 
• Acquire more education
• Acquire relevant work experience
• Have your spouse as the principal applicant
• Work & study in Canada 

• Will the Express Entry score go down? 

Since Express Entry is a dynamic system, no one, including the IRCC, can predict if the scores will increase or decrease. In addition, no one knows what the CRS distributions of the applicants will be. When there is a significant number of applicants with high scores, the cut-offs also tend to be higher. Moreover, when the number of applicants is lower, the cut-offs also get lower. As a result, the results also vary widely. 

The cut-off score can fluctuate significantly within weeks, including increasing or dropping by many points. 

If you are eligible for the program, it is usually in your best interest to enter the Express Entry pool regardless of your CRS score, as it provides a greater chance of immigrating to Canada. 

Always remember that apart from obtaining ECA & language tests, entering the Express Entry pool is free. Thus, you do not lose anything, even if you doubt your CRS score. 

In addition, you will need to obtain an ECA & complete a language test for skilled worker immigration programs. Therefore, the cost is not a prohibitive factor in entering the pool. 

• Should I enter the Express Entry pool with a low CRS score? 

Entering the pool if you are eligible can offer various benefits as it increases your chances of successfully immigrating to the country. 

• Firstly, it is free to enter the Express Entry pool. You must incur some costs before entering the ECA & language tests. However, you will need to incur these costs for most immigration programs you wish to apply for. 
• Express Entry cut-off scores are constantly fluctuating & are impossible even to predict. What may seem like a low CRS score could be enough to secure an ITA for PR eventually.
• While being in the Express Entry pool, you can improve your CRS score by retaking the language test, gaining more professional work experience, acquiring education, or working/ studying in Canada. 
• You might also receive a job offer while remaining in the pool. This might give you a high CRS score to get an ITA for permanent residence. 
• While being in the Express Entry pool, you might get an ITA for a provincial nomination, which will guarantee that you will obtain initiation to apply for a PR visa.
• You can directly apply to other immigration programs while remaining in the pool. 

• Is my CLB level good enough for Express Entry? 

There are two components to answer it. The primary component is recognizing if your CLB level is enough to make you eligible for the program or not. In addition, the second component is recognizing if your CLB level is sufficient to make your CRS score competitive or not. 

But keeping everything aside, you first need to ensure that your CLB level meets the requirements of either of the three programs. 

• FSWP

You need at least a CLB 7 for speaking, reading, writing, & listening in one of the official languages to be eligible for the program. 

• CEC

You need CLB 7 across all four language abilities under the program if you have a NOC TEER category of 0 or 1. In addition, you need at least a CLB 5 across all the language capabilities under Canadian Experience Class if you have a NOC TEER category of 2 or 3. 

• FSTP

For this program, you require a minimum CLB 5 for listening & speaking skills along with CLB 4 for writing & reading. 

Secondly, ensure you get the highest possible CLB level in your language exam. For instance, if you are a single Express Entry applicant, then over 310 CRS points will be available to you if you take language tests in French/ English. Moreover, if you are able to take a test only in one language, you need to know how much weight IRCC places on your language test score in the CRS. 

Before you take your language test, ensure to study appropriately. Even if you are fluent in French/ English, you should study for the test to ensure you attain the highest CLB level. In addition, if you believe you are capable of getting a higher CLB level than the one you attained, you are welcome to retake your language exams as many times as you like until you obtain a score you are comfortable with. 

• What is the difference between PNP & Express Entry? 

In Canada, the federal government, provinces, & territories can operate their own immigration programs. However, the federal government decides whether an applicant can obtain a PR or not. 

Express Entry handles three of the numerous economic immigration programs the federal government operates.  The PNP allows territories & provinces to indicate to the government that an immigration applicant meets the region’s economic needs. Such applicants obtain a provincial nomination which they can utilize to support their PR application. 

If the Express Entry applicant doesn’t have a high enough ranking score to get an ITA, they may obtain a nomination from a province/ territory through Express Entry. Further, they can improve their score and then obtain an ITA from the federal government during the next draw from the pool. 

• What makes a valid job/ employment offer under Express Entry? 

IRCC asserts that a valid job offer under the Express Entry program has to meet the following criteria. A job must: 

• Be full-time instead of seasonal 
• Be of at least one year
• Fall under the TEER category of 0, 1, 2, or 3 in the NOC 
• Be recent 
• Not be from a consulate, embassy, or high commission

Job offers must be in the written format & outline the likes of your duties as well as the conditions of employment. 

In addition, these offers need to be supported by LMIA. However, some jobs are exempt. If an LMIA is needed, your employer must apply for one by applying to Employment & Social Development Canada. 

Moreover, valid job offers under Express Entry are worth 50-200 additional CRS points. Valid job offers under the NOC TEER category of 1, 2, or 3 are awarded 50 additional CRS points. Finally, job offers under the NOC TEER category of 0 are eligible for additional 200 points. 

• Which Express Entry program job offers are exempt from LMIA requirements?

An LMIA is not needed for an Express Entry job offer to be valid if the following conditions are met: 

• You have continued to work full-time for the Canadian employer on your work permit for one year.
• The job offer you have received fulfills other requirements for it to be valid, like falling under NOC (National Occupational Classification) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3. 
• You have a work permit which is exempt from LMIA under an international agreement, like CUSMA, Canadian interests category, federal-provincial agreement, etc. 

In case you are working in skilled trades, you can obtain job offers from up to two employers. As a result, you must work for both of them. 

• I am currently working in Canada. Does this count as a job offer? 

No. A work permit cannot be considered as a job/ employment offer. A job offer is primarily valid under Express Entry if your employer has offered you a written full-time job offer for one year or more.

• What are the top ways to increase my Express Entry score? 

The best way to increase your CRS score is to obtain a provincial nomination. For this, you can apply directly to a PNP stream which is completely aligned with the Express Entry program. In addition, you can also enter the pool so that a province can invite you to apply through their PNP. 

Acquiring a provincial nomination will offer you additional 600 CRS points, which will guarantee that you will obtain an invitation to apply for PR from IRCC. Moreover, you can even get 50-200 extra points if you get a valid job offer under Express Entry. 

Another significant way to improve your CRS score is obtaining the highest score possible on your language test. Remember, language is an integral component of CRS. 

• Is 440/ 150/ 460/ 470 a good CRS score? 

The CRS cut-off score varies from draw to draw. This is why you must always identify how to increase your CRS score, regardless of what it is. 

This implies that you claim all the points & are eligible. If you think that your current CRS score is low, recognize what steps you can take to improve it. For instance, you can retake the language exam, gain more work experience, acquire education, obtain a provincial nomination, etc. 

Submitting An Express Entry Profile 

• What do I need to submit for my Express Entry profile? 

While submitting your profile, IRCC will ask you for some data from the documents mentioned below: 

• Results of the language test
• Travel documents/ passports
• Canadian education proof 
• ECA report 
• Proof of funds 
• Provincial nomination 
• Written job offer from a Canadian employer 

• Will IRCC keep my profile after a year? 

No. Your profile will expire after one year. If you want to persist in the Express Entry pool, you should wait for your profile to expire. Further, you can submit a new profile on the official website of IRCC. In addition, IRCC suggests that an applicant must take screenshots of the expired profile to make it simpler for them to resubmit the data. 

• Can I update my profile after submitting it?  

Yes, as long as your profile is eligible, you can update it after submission. 

• What must I do if I have a maintained status in Canada?

IRCC gives thorough instructions on its site on ‘how to answer queries if you have a maintained status’. 

• How can I complete a language test? 

You must complete a language test that IRCC has authorized for Express Entry. Your language test score will be valid for two years. The alternatives are: 

English

• CELPIP General 
• IELTS General Training

French 

• TCF Canada
• TEF Canada 

 

• Can I combine my language test scores?

No, your language exams will evaluate four abilities, i.e., writing, listening, speaking, & reading. It might be possible that you obtain a different score for each ability after taking up the exam multiple times. 

Unfortunately, you can only submit your results of language exams from just one test. Moreover, fortunately, you can submit the test, wherein you have scored the highest. 

Remember that the result is valid for up to two years. One method/ pathway you can pursue is entering the pool and retaking the language test until you get your desired score. Further, you can update your profile to improve your CRS score. 

• How can I get an ECA for Express Entry?

You need to obtain your ECA from a body designated by IRCC. The alternatives are: 

• International Qualifications Assessment Service
• World Education Services
• International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
• International Credential Evaluation Service
• Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada 
• Medical Council of Canada 

 

• Do I need to include my evidence of settlement funds in the profile? 

Yes. You need to include the amount of money that will help you settle in Canada in your profile. Settlement funds represent that you can financially support yourself & your family members who arrive with you in Canada. 

In addition, you will only be required to meet the criteria if you have obtained an ITA for PR under FSTP or FSWP. Individuals who have obtained the invitation under CEC do not require to meet the settlement funds criteria. 

Moreover, if you are eligible for more than one program, you cannot choose which program IRCC will issue according to your invitation. 

• How can I look for a job in Canada after submitting my profile? 

Using the government’s job bank, you can look for a job while remaining in the Express Entry pool. You can also apply directly to Canadian employers, utilize private sector boards, or network with employers online. 

However, you must note that scammers out there will ask you to pay a fee for a job/ employment offer, which is illegal in Canada. 

• I was previously ineligible & now I am eligible for the Express Entry Program. What must I do? 

You need to create a new profile & submit it on the website again because ineligible Express Entry profiles are invalid & cannot be changed. 

• What do I need to do if I get an ITA for PR?

You need to give the requested documents to IRCC & pay the fee. Some examples of documents include: 

• Birth certificate 
• Medical
• Results of language tests 
• Valid passport 
• ECA
• Police clearance certificates