Express Entry is the primary means by which the Canadian government manages skilled worker applications since Jan 2015. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) has been Canada’s most popular economic immigration program for more than 50 years. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has put a temporary pause in FSWP since December 2020 and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) since September 2021.
“With the economy growing faster than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and labour needed to fuel our growth” said Canada’s Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
How does Express Entry work?
Introduced in 2015, Express Entry is the application management system for Canada’s three most popular immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates eligible for any of these programs can create a profile on IRCC’s website, where they will be awarded a CRS score based on their human capital characteristics.
The top-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in draws held approximately every two weeks and can then apply for permanent residency. Once approved, IRCC issues them a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Why you should submit your Express Entry profile early
Below are 3 main reasons not to delay submitting your profile to the Express Entry pool if you are keen to immigrate to Canada via Express Entry.
1. Be in a position to receive an ITA
Preparing and submitting your Express Entry profile will take time.
The sooner you start preparing and gathering your documents, the sooner you can enter the Express Entry pool. For example, you may need information related to travel documents, language tests, educational credential assessment reports, etc.
By starting the process now, you are more likely to have your paperwork in order by the end of the year and be in a position to receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence (PR) when as IRCC resumes the Express Entry draws for both the Federal Skilled Worker Program and Canadian Experience Class.
2. Take advantage of the tie-breaking rule
Under the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), candidates from around the world who are seeking to immigrate to Canada are awarded points for a range of human capital factors such as age, education, language, and others. If there is a tie in points between candidates, IRCC uses the time and date of entry into the pool as a tie-breaker.
Hence, the earlier you enter the pool, the more likely you are to be invited to apply in a draw.
3. Leverage the benefits of the PNP
The Provincial Nominee Program is one of Canada’s primary immigration pathways. The program is designed both to encourage the immigration of skilled workers with job offers or working experiences in respective provinces across Canada. Each province used to have a selection process of its own. However, since the introduction of the Express Entry system, many provinces and territories have created pathways aligned with the federal system as a way to expedite the immigration process.
When you submit a profile in the Express Entry pool and select a province of your choice, you will have a double benefit: you can receive a direct Express Entry invitation and also be selected by the province of your choice. Receiving a provincial nomination will give you an additional 600 points toward your CRS score. The increased score will virtually guarantee that you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian PR in an upcoming draw.
How does Express Entry work?
Introduced in 2015, Express Entry is the application management system for Canada’s three most popular immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.
Candidates eligible for any of these programs can create a profile on IRCC’s website, where they will be awarded a CRS score based on their human capital characteristics. The top-scoring candidates receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) in draws held approximately every two weeks and can then apply for permanent residency. Once approved, IRCC issues them a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Now, the borders have finally reopened, Canada is expected to increase the number of newcomers over the next few years.
What should you do if you are interested in immigrating to Canada?
Please click here to complete a complimentary questionnaire to find out if you are eligible to apply for Canada PR via Express Entry. If you are married, please ask your spouse to complete the questionnaire, too. We will also let you know your estimated CRS score based on the information you have provided and your probability of getting the invitation to apply.
For a limited time, we are also providing a complimentary 15-min consultation if you are looking for an immigration professional to help you with your Canadian immigration application. Please book an appointment time for a short discussion to see how we can help. We look forward to hearing from you!