Apply for Express Entry Visa
Express Entry
Express Entry is Canada's flagship system for managing immigration applications from skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents. It streamlines the process for three main programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Candidates create an online profile, providing details about their skills, work experience, education, and language proficiency. They are then ranked against each other using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which considers various factors. Regular draws are conducted, inviting candidates with high CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. Once invited, candidates submit their applications, which are processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Successful applicants and their families become permanent residents of Canada, contributing to the country's economy and society.
How Express Entry works
Express Entry is a system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for permanent residence under certain economic immigration programs. It is not a single immigration program itself but rather a system through which candidates can apply for immigration under two main federal economic immigration programs:
Procedure for Express Entry
There are 2 ways to find out if you’re eligible for a program that is part of Express Entry:
Express Entry Programs:
Answer Some questions to see if you meet the minimum requirements.
- What is your age?
- What is your highest level of education?
- What is your official language proficiency in English and/or French? (Please specify which test you took and your scores)
- How many years of skilled work experience do you have? (Skilled work experience means experience in NOC Skill Type 0, A, or B)
- Do you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer? If yes, please provide details.
- Have you received a provincial nomination from a Canadian province or territory? If yes, please provide details.
- Do you have a sibling who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada? If yes, please specify whether they are your brother or sister.
- Have you completed any Canadian post-secondary education? If yes, please provide details.
- Have you completed an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to assess the equivalency of your foreign education to Canadian standards? If yes, please provide details.
- Do you have any other factors that may contribute to your eligibility for Express Entry, such as Canadian work experience, language proficiency of your spouse or common-law partner, etc.?
To calculate your CRS score, you need to consider various factors including:
Answer Some questions to see if you meet the minimum requirements.
Core human capital factors: Age, level of education, official language proficiency (English and/or French), and Canadian work experience.
Accompanying Spouse or Common-law Partner factors: Their level of education, official language proficiency, and Canadian work experience.
Skills Transferability factors: Education and language proficiency combinations, Canadian work experience and language proficiency combinations, foreign work experience, and Canadian education.
Additional points: Provincial nomination, a valid job offer, Canadian study experience, a sibling in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident.
Identification Documents:
- Passport or travel document
- Birth certificate
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Adoption certificate (if applicable)
Language Proficiency Test Results:
- IELTS (English) or TEF (French) test results
- Test results must be within the last two years
Educational Documents:
- Copies of diplomas, degrees, or certificates
- Transcripts showing courses completed and grades obtained
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report (if you have foreign education)
Work Experience Documents:
- Letters of reference from previous employers
- Employment contracts
- Pay stubs or tax records
Proof of Funds:
- Bank statements or certificates of deposit
- Investment statements
- Loan commitments or letters from financial institutions
Police Clearance Certificate:
- Police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for six months or more since turning 18
Medical Examination Results:
- Results of a medical examination from an approved panel physician
- You'll be provided instructions on how to complete this step once you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Express Entry Profile Information:
- Information entered into your Express Entry profile, such as personal details, work history, language test scores, and educational history
Proof of Provincial Nomination (if applicable):
- Provincial Nomination Certificate or Letter of Nomination
Job Offer Letter (if applicable):
- If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, include the job offer letter stating details such as job title, duties, salary, and duration.
- Create an Express Entry Profile: Visit the official Government of Canada website and create an Express Entry profile.
Personal Information: Provide personal details such as your name, date of birth, nationality, marital status, and passport information.
Language Skills: Enter your language test results for English and/or French proficiency (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF scores). Make sure your scores are within the last two years.
Education History: Include details of your highest level of education, including the type of degree, field of study, institution attended, and the year of completion.
Work Experience: Enter information about your work experience, including job title, duties, employer's name, location, start and end dates, and the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for your occupation.
Provincial Nomination (if applicable): Indicate if you have received a nomination from a Canadian province or territory.
Job Offer (if applicable): Provide details of any valid job offer you have from a Canadian employer, including the job title, duties, salary, and duration.
Spouse or Common-law Partner Information (if applicable): Include details of your spouse or common-law partner's language proficiency, education, work experience, and other relevant information.
Additional Factors: Consider additional factors that could increase your CRS score, such as Canadian study experience, a sibling in Canada, or a valid job offer in a skilled occupation.
Review and Submit: Review all the information you have provided to ensure accuracy and completeness. Once you are satisfied, submit your Express Entry profile.
To receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Express Entry in Canada, you need to have a high enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to be selected in one of the regular draws conducted by the Canadian government. Here's how the process generally works:
Calculate Your CRS Score: Ensure you have accurately filled out your Express Entry profile with all relevant information, including your language proficiency, education, work experience, and additional factors like provincial nomination or a valid job offer. Your CRS score will be calculated based on this information.
Monitor Express Entry Draws: Regularly check the Express Entry draws conducted by the Canadian government. Draws typically happen every two weeks, but the frequency may vary. During each draw, candidates with the highest CRS scores are issued ITAs to apply for permanent residence.
Improve Your CRS Score: If your CRS score is not high enough to receive an ITA, consider ways to improve it. This could include retaking language tests to improve your language proficiency, gaining more work experience, obtaining a provincial nomination, or securing a valid job offer.
Wait for an Invitation: Once you have submitted your Express Entry profile, you will be placed in the Express Entry pool along with other candidates. Your profile will remain in the pool for up to 12 months or until you receive an ITA. During this time, you will automatically be considered in each draw.
Receive an Invitation: If you are selected in an Express Entry draw and receive an ITA, you will be notified through your online account. You will typically have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence.
Submit Your Application: Prepare and submit a complete application for permanent residence within the specified timeframe. This includes providing all required documents, such as police certificates, medical exams, and proof of funds.
Wait for Processing: After submitting your application, it will be processed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Processing times can vary depending on various factors, such as the volume of applications and the completeness of your file.
Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR): If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR). This document allows you to travel to Canada as a permanent resident.