The Express Entry program has a very short processing time and is becoming very famous among Canadian immigrants as the fastest way to gain permanent residency in Canada. We have answered the most frequently asked questions regarding Canadian immigration through Express Entry Program by our clients.
What is Express Entry?
The Express Entry system is used by the Canadian immigration authorities as a faster way of handling applications for immigration from skilled workers who wish to gain Canada Permanent Residence. The program has three main streams under it which can be used to apply for this program.
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This program is to welcome skilled traders into the country to fill the labour shortages in Canada.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This program lays emphasis on the immigration of workers who are skilled to Canada and helps them gain Canada PR.
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC): This program is for international students and foreign workers who wish to gain permanent residency in Canada.
The application system of this program is managed electronically. All the information and supporting documents you need to submit for the application will be submitted via an online portal. What makes this program competitive is the Comprehensive Ranking System that is used to decide which applicant is sent an invitation to apply further.
How do I get my application into the Express Entry pool?
To become a candidate with an active profile in the Express Entry pool you have to first apply to the program. You have to apply and submit a profile that is eligible. You should meet the eligibility for one out of the 3 streams of the Express Entry Program. Then you have to create an online Express Entry profile, with all the necessary documents and information such as your passport, your language skills test score, educational qualifications and relevant work experience.
You may also have to provide information regarding your health and financial situation. Based on the information, your application will be given a score under CRS. If your application scores above the cut-off you will be eligible and placed in the Express Entry pool.
Do I have a good Comprehensive Ranking System score?
To be eligible for an ITA and thus apply further for permanent residency, your CRS score should be above or equal to the cut-off that has been set by the immigration authorities and IRCC at the time of the Express Entry draw. The cut-off in 2017 May was set at 413, and in earlier months if 2020 was set at 460-470. If you estimate a score on your application that is lower, you may want to look for how you can improve the score or other immigration programs that you may be eligible for. Your immigration consultant will have the ability to guide you with both.
How can I improve my CRS score?
There are many ways you can make an improvement in your CRS score. If your language test is below CLB 9, you should consider retaking it, as this is the fastest way to improve your CRS score. But it also is dependent on your language proficiency and skills. The language score alone can earn you a good score through the Skills Transferability Factor.
Will the cut-off CRS score drop incoming Express Entry draws?
It is not possible to predict what the CRS cut-off will be or how it may change in the future. The cut-off varies depending on how much time gap is given between consecutive draws, how many invitations are sent with each draw and how many candidates are green in the pool or have increased their CRS score.
If the time gap is more, the cut-off can be set higher as there are more candidates entering the pool or existing candidates improving their scores. If a small number of invitations are given in a particular draw, then the cut-off is likely to be higher to invite fewer candidates. Also, as the popularity of the Express Entry Program for immigration increases, there are more candidates entering the pool which means the cut-off will be higher.
So it is also true that if the time gap between two draws is less, or if fewer candidates are present in the pool or if more ITAs are to be given out, the cut-off score can become lower.
When will the next Express Entry Draw take place?
A draw for the Express Entry Program takes place every other Wednesday. But this is not always the case and sometimes the gap between consecutive draws can be increased or decreased without any notice.
A draw took place, my CRS score is above the cut-off. When will I be sent an invitation to apply?
For the invitation to come to your IRCC Express Entry account, it can take upto one day after the draw.
Can my family migrate with me under Express Entry?
There is authorization under the Express Entry Program to bring your spouse or conjugal partner or common-law partner or dependent children but they should be included in your application. If your application is accepted, along with the accompanying family members, you all will be able to receive Canadian permanent resident status.
Do I earn a higher score if my spouse or partner is included in my Express Entry application?
The CRS score is awarded out of a total of 1200 points. Out of these, 500 of the points are awarded under the Human capital category. If you are applying without your spouse, you can gain upto 500 of these points. With your spouse, the maximum you can score drops to 460, the other 40 points are for the human capital factor of your spouse.
The number of points available under the category remains 500 fixed. The difference comes in how they are distributed when you apply with or without your spouse. You can score more points or fewer points based on if you are applying with or without your partner. Even if they are not migrating with you to Canada, if you have a spouse, you will have to mention it on your application.
Can I apply alone now and then migrate my family members later?
You have the option available to you to migrate to Canada without any accompanying family. You can later sponsor them to immigrate to Canada and gain permanent residency through a sponsorship program. There are also pathways available for you to sponsor your parents and grandparents as well. The program is in high demand and undergoes frequent changes as to the eligibility requirements and procedure to apply. Your immigration consultant will be aware of such changes and can help you with the latest details.
Do I have to give a language test for applying through Express Entry?
A language test is required to meet the eligibility requirements of the Express Entry Program. Even if you come from a country of native English or French speakers, you will be required to have taken a language skills test without exception. The language test must be one from an approved testing authority. The language test should have been attempted in the 2 years before you apply for the program. The minimum score you should have to be eligible varies depending on which stream of the Express Entry Program you are applying through.
Which are the authorized language tests for Express Entry?
Two language tests are authorized for the English language and for the French language under the Express Entry Program. For English either CELPIP General or IELTS General and for French, Test de connaissance du français (TCF). Another French-languagethe test you can give is the Test d’évaluation du français (TEF).
What is the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)?
There are 4 different language skills tests that are approved by the IRCC under the Express Entry Program so the government of Canada has developed this system to show the comparison between different test scores. The test score is translated to the Canadian Language Benchmark level (CLB).
What is the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code?
All the possible occupations in the labour market in Canada are divided up into a database of codes. These are called National Occupational Classification codes. Each code has 4 digits which help organize and understand the various occupations in Canada. Express Entry is mainly introduced by the government of Canada for skilled worker Immigration. NOC codes help to determine the skill levels of a candidate. Work that falls under NOC skill types ‘0’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ is considered skilled work. Provincial Nominee Programs may also use this classification to determine which type of occupational skilled workers are given preference for immigration in their territory.
How do I know my NOC code?
You can find what NOC code is applicable to you by going on the official Canada government website or by consulting with your immigration consultant. You will have to find your work or job field under the list and check the corresponding NOC code. Once you are sent an ITA and you respond to it, you will also be required to submit references from previous work experience that can attest to your work ethic and experience.
On my Express Entry Profile, can I mention more than one NOC code on my Express Entry profile?
Some Express Entry programs require that you have at least a minimum time period of work experience. But after that, any additional work experience in the same or another skilled occupation is going to be a contributor to your CRS score.
Do I need to apply and get an Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)?
Whether you require an ECA or not varies depending on your particular Immigration case. If you are submitting educational qualifications that you have gained in Canada, you are not required to get an ECA. But you will have to submit some form of proof of the Canadian educational qualifications. Canadian Experience Class doesn’t require you to submit any educational qualifications. But you should prefer submitting your educational qualifications as they can earn you extra points on the CRS score. For education gained outside Canada, you will have to get an ECA. To be sure of whether an ECA is required for your case or not, you can consult with your immigration expert.
What are my chances of successfully immigrating through Express Entry?
Before or after you submit your Express Entry application, you can roughly calculate your CRS score. Your immigration consultant can guide you through this process. After comparing this to the most recent cut-off set by the immigration authorities, see if you are above, below or just close to the cut-off. This will help you get an estimate of your chance of successful immigration through this program.
Based on this you can decide whether you want to work on improving the score or look for another immigration program that is better suited to your immigration needs.
If I’m not eligible for Express Entry, can I immigrate to Canada?
Apart from the Express Entry program, the government of Canada has also introduced a large number of immigration programs that you can use to immigrate to Canada and gain permanent residency or even citizenship. If you are not eligible for Express Entry, you can always consult your immigration consultant for guidance as to what other program will best suit your immigration needs.
How long will it take to migrate through Express Entry?
The entire length of the processing of an immigration application may differ from one person to another. The stages involved in the complete process include preparation and submission of a profile of Express Entry which takes a few weeks or even a few months. Time will also be taken in gathering all the required documents to submit a completed profile. This will also have your language test results and education qualifications.
Next, you will receive an invitation to apply which can take a few days or even months or you may not receive one at all. Once your profile enters the Express Entry pool, it will be included in draws till you are sent an ITA or 12 months. Whether you receive an ITA quickly or not at all depends on your CRS score.
After you receive an ITA, you have 2 months to submit a final completed application for Canadian permanent residency. The application processing will take six months or sometimes even less. After the processing of your application is completed, you will be given the documents using which you can activate your status as a Canadian permanent resident status.
Is it necessary to have a work offer for Express Entry?
It is not necessary for you to have a job offer while applying for Express Entry Program. But if you have a valid job offer from an authorized Canada-based employer, that can help you score higher in your CRS. A senior position in a management role can get you upto 200 points, and skilled workers can get you upto 50.
