What is Express Entry immigration to Canada?
Express Entry is a system that was launched by the Canadian government in 2015 as a way for skilled workers to apply for Canadian permanent residency. The process works by assigning points to applicants based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, and language skills. Each month, the government announces a minimum score for applicants to be selected for permanent residency, and those who meet the criteria apply for registration within the specified timeframe.
Canada is known for its welcoming and fair immigration policies, and the Express Entry program is one of its most popular ways of attracting skilled workers. Canada’s excellent education system, strong social welfare, and growing economy make it an attractive destination for immigrants from all over the world.
The Express Entry system allows applicants to apply for permanent residency through three economic immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Additionally, Canadian provinces can invite applicants who are registered in the Express Entry system to apply for permanent residency through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Overall, the Express Entry system is a highly competitive and merit-based immigration program that provides skilled workers with a streamlined pathway to permanent residency in Canada.
Three ways to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry:
Federal Skilled Worker Program: This program is for skilled workers who plan to settle in any Canadian province or city, except Quebec. To qualify as a skilled worker, the applicant must have at least one year of continuous full-time or part-time work experience in A, B, or 0 level jobs in the NOC job list, knowledge and skills in either French or English languages with a grade of CLB7, education at the level of a Canadian high school diploma or higher, and submit the required financial documents to the immigration office if the applicant does not have an official job offer in Canada.
Federal Skilled Trades Program: This program is for applicants who wish to immigrate to Quebec. Applicants must have at least 2 years of relevant work experience in NOC list group jobs in the last 5 years, master all four language skills of speaking, writing, listening, and reading English and French at the level of CLB5 and CLB7, have adequate financial ability to manage life if they do not have a work permit or official offer in Canada, and pass medical tests and security checks.
Canadian Experience Class: This program is for people who have been working in Canada for at least 1 year. The minimum requirements to obtain Canadian permanent residence through this program are work experience in Canada for at least one year in the last 3 years in category 0, A, or B of the Knock List and a minimum CLB language score of 5 for group B jobs and CLB score of 7 for group A jobs and 0.
The Express Entry system is free to register and create a profile. However, after being accepted and receiving the ITA email, related fees must be paid to complete each step of the case process. The general costs include an Express Entry fee of 550 Canadian dollars for the main applicant and 550 dollars for a spouse if applicable, 150 Canadian dollars for a child under the age of 22, and other costs such as permanent residency fee, language test fee, evaluation of educational qualification, and translation of language qualification.
Immigration applicants who are accepted into the Express Entry program obtain a Canadian temporary work visa. People are invited to apply for permanent residency through the Express Entry Draw based on the points they have earned, which depend on various factors such as skilled work experience, language ability, and education. The higher the applicant’s score, the higher their chances of obtaining permanent residency.