What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an electronic application management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process and manage applications received under Canada’s federal economic immigration programs for skilled workers.
Express Entry is a competitive immigration system, ranking all eligible candidates against one another and then inviting the best ranking candidates to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.
Candidates are ranked based on –
- Age
- Level of Education
- Language proficiency in English or French
- Foreign and Canadian work experience
- Spouse factors and
- Connections to Canada
Under Express Entry, individuals and families wishing to settle in Canada can become new permanent residents.
How Express Entry Works?
Determine Eligibility
Candidates for Express Entry must be qualified through one of the federal economic immigration programs
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST).
Although Express Entry is integrated into some Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), applicants must still qualify for one of the three federal programs to be considered for the Express Entry pool.
- Require Official test scores from an approved language test and obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Check your Comprehensive Ranking System Score using our CRS calculator
- Create an Express Entry Profile
- Wait for an ITA (Invitation to Apply) to apply for permanent residency
- Submit your completed Application for Permanent Residence (APR) to IRCC and pay your fees within 60 days of ITA. You need to include your medical exam and police certificates as part of this step. IRCC will then provide you with an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR)
- Wait for IRCC to make a final decision on your APR. On application approval you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if you are from a country that requires a visa) so you can travel to Canada and complete your landing process.
