Canada Express Entry

Written by Mike Arnold Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Mike Arnold

Mike is a freelance writer with eight years of experience and a love for travel, all things business, tabletop games and green tea.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 13, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

The Canada Express Entry visa is an online system that aims to help skilled workers get into Canada to live and work as quickly and smoothly as possible. However, it's not really correct to call it a visa, but more like a program or scheme.

As long as you're eligible for one of the three immigration programs, you'll be capable of enjoying the benefits Express Entry offers and will soon be able to start the next chapter of your life in Canada, as well as potentially starting your journey towards residency.

 

Express Entry Overview

Express Entry isn't a visa in itself but rather a streamlined system used by the Canadian government to manage applications for permanent residency under three primary economic immigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): This program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience who meet specific education, language, and work experience criteria. See whether you fit this program here.
2. Federal Skilled Trades (FST): This program targets skilled tradespeople with specific work experience and certifications in eligible trades. See whether you fit this program here.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is for individuals who have gained skilled work experience in Canada and meet specific language requirements. See whether you fit this program here.

How Express Entry works

Express Entry operates on a points-based system, ranking candidates in a pool based on their skills, education, language proficiency, and other factors. Those with the highest scores are periodically invited to apply for permanent residency through regular draws.

Key benefits of Express Entry

• Faster processing times: Express Entry significantly reduces processing times for permanent residency applications, often taking as little as six months from profile submission to visa issuance.
• No job offer required: While a job offer can boost your chances, it's not mandatory for most Express Entry programs.
• Pathway to citizenship: Successful applicants gain permanent resident status, which can lead to Canadian citizenship after fulfilling residency requirements.

Who is eligible?

Express Entry is ideal for individuals with:

• University or college degrees
• Skilled work experience
• Proficiency in English or French

The best way to find out whether you're eligible is either taking this short testhere or reading through the detailed requirements for each work programhere. You can also use a visa consultancy service to find the program best suited to you.

Costs involved

The total cost of immigrating to Canada through Express Entry can range from C$2,300 for a single applicant to C$4,500 for a couple.

This includes fees for language tests, educational credential assessments, biometrics, government processing, and medical examinations.

Processing time

The entire Express Entry process, from profile submission to visa issuance, can take approximately six months in ideal cases. However, processing times can vary depending on individual circumstances and application volumes.

Important note: Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements doesn't guarantee an invitation to apply for permanent residency. Candidates with higher scores in the Express Entry pool simply have a better chance of being selected.

What are Express Entry points and eligibility?

The cornerstone of the Express Entry system is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which evaluates and ranks candidates based on various factors to determine their eligibility and competitiveness for Canadian permanent residency.

Once your CRS points are calculated, if you reach the current threshold, you'll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). However, scoring enough CRS points doesn't mean you've automatically been accepted into the program; it simply means you can apply.

The process of accepting invitations happens in rounds, as organised by the Canadian government.

How are Express Entry points calculated?

The CRS awards points based on a combination of human capital factors, skills transferability factors, and additional factors:

• Human capital factors:
  • Age
  • Level of education
  • Language proficiency in English or French
  • Canadian work experience
• Skills transferability factors:
  • Combination of education, language, and work experience
  • Spouse or common-law partner's education, language, and work experience
• Additional factors:
  • Canadian education or work experience
  • Provincial nomination
  • Valid job offer
  • Sibling in Canada
  • French language skills

The best way to estimate your score is using the CRS tool, which can be found here.

Will the CRS score cut-off go down?

Predicting future CRS score cut-offs is impossible, as they fluctuate based on various factors, including the number of applicants in the pool, the types of programs being prioritised, and the overall immigration targets set by the Canadian government.

However, recent trends suggest that provincial nominations play an increasingly important role in Express Entry selections.

This means that even candidates with lower CRS scores can still receive ITAs if they have in-demand skills or work experience that aligns with the needs of specific provinces.

What is the difference between Express Entry eligibility points and CRS score?

• Eligibility points: To apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you must first score at least 67 points on the FSW eligibility points grid. This is a separate assessment from the CRS and determines your basic eligibility to enter the Express Entry pool.
• CRS score: Once in the pool, your profile is ranked against others based on the CRS, which considers a broader range of factors beyond the FSWP eligibility criteria. The higher your CRS score, the better your chances of receiving an ITA.

Is there a minimum score for Express Entry?

There is no fixed minimum CRS score for Express Entry. The minimum score required to receive an ITA changes with each draw, depending on the number of applicants and the targeted programs.

How to submit an Express Entry profile

After finding out you're eligible for the Express Entry program, your next step is to get your invitation and then apply. This can be broken down into three simple steps:

Step #1 - Get your documentation ready

You'll need certain documents at different stages of your Express Entry application:

1. For your profile:

You don't need to upload documents to create your profile, but you'll need their information.

• Key documents:
  • Passport or travel document
  • Language test results
  • Proof of Canadian education or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
  • Provincial nomination (if you have one)
  • Job offer from a Canadian employer (if you have one)
  • Proof of work experience
  • Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation (if you have one)
  • Proof of funds

2. For your permanent residence application:

After you're invited to apply, you'll need to upload copies of the documents you used for your profile.

• Most applicants will also need:
  • Police certificates
  • Proof of funds
  • Birth certificates for dependent children
  • Use of a Representative form (if you have a representative)
  • Common-law union form or marriage certificate (if applicable)
  • Divorce certificate and legal separation agreement (if applicable)
  • Death certificate (if applicable)
  • Adoption certificate (if applicable)

3. Other documents:

You'll only need these if they're on your personalised document checklist.

They're used to double-check your eligibility, but your application won't be refused if you don't submit them.

• Examples:
  • Proof of relationship to a relative in Canada
  • Digital photos
  • Other name documents (if you have aliases)
  • Authority to release personal information form
  • Any other documents you think are relevant.

Step #2 - Create and set up an Express Entry profile

To access the Express Entry program, you need a personal profile representing you and your application. This can be done before seeking an invitation. Here's how it works:

1. Check if you're eligible:
   • Use the online "Come to Canada" tool. It takes about 15 minutes.
   • If you're married or in a common-law relationship, one of you must be the main applicant.
2. Create your profile:
   • If you use the "Come to Canada" tool and are eligible, it will guide you in creating a profile.
   • Otherwise, sign in to your account and choose "Apply to come to Canada" then "Express Entry."
   • You'll need information from documents like language tests and your job title.
   • You have 60 days to complete and submit your profile.
3. Submit your profile:
   • Once your profile is complete, submit it online. At this point, you'll be told which Express Entry programs you might be eligible for.
   • You can't choose your preferred program at this stage.

What happens next:

• You'll get put into a pool with other eligible candidates.
• You'll get a score and ranking based on several factors.
• If you're one of the top candidates, you'll be invited to apply for permanent residence.

Remember:

• Creating a profile doesn't guarantee an invitation to apply.
• You can only apply if you're invited.

Step #3 - Apply through the Express Entry program

Once you've received an invitation, it's time to apply. However, your invitation is only good for 60 days, so start your application right away. Here's what to do:

1. Sign in to your account.
2. Find your application: Go to "Continue my profile/application, not yet submitted" and click the blue "Continue application" button next to "permanent residency."
3. Answer the questions:
   • The form will ask if you've applied to IRCC before. This means a full application, not just an Express Entry profile.
   • It will also ask if you've applied for Express Entry before. Answer "yes" only if you submitted a full application, not just a profile. You can sign into your IRCC account here.
4. Complete the form:
   • Include all required documents.
   • Answer all questions truthfully and completely.
   • Fill in all mandatory fields, or you won't be able to submit.
   • You can save your progress and come back later.

Fees:

• Your application: C$1,525
• Adding your spouse: C$1,525
• Adding a child: C$260

Processing time

• It depends on the specific program you're applying for.
• You might need to give your biometrics (fingerprints and photo). This time is included in the processing time.

Important: If your work permit is expiring

• If your work permit expires before you submit your application, your Express Entry score might go down.
• If your score drops below the cut-off, you should decline the invitation.
• If you submit it anyway, your application will be refused.
• If you decline, update your Express Entry profile to show your new work status.

As you can see, Canada has set up its Express Entry program to be as smooth and streamlined as possible. However, especially with so much else to focus on, some aspects may be complex.

A visa consultant can simplify your journey, providing expert guidance and personalised strategies to maximise your chances of a successful application.

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