Express Entry

Express Entry

This program helps skilled workers to get entry into Canada. An electronic system is used for the management of applications of skilled workers.

If an applicant submits their online profile, the federal government decides whether they are eligible for Express entry program. Eligible candidates are judged by a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) – which is based on the age, qualification, language skills, other skills, work experience and other factors. The government uses this point-based system to assess and rank candidates in the express entry pool.

Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government selects the highest-scoring candidates from the Express Entry pool and provides them with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

How Express Entry Works

There are two major steps involved in express entry work – In the first step, eligible candidates approach Canadian government for their expression of interest in seeking Canadian Permanent Resident status. In the next step, Canadian government select the high scoring candidates and invites them to immigrate to Canada. It takes approximately two weeks for the Canadian government to select the high scoring candidates from the express entry pool with an invitation to apply for permanent residence.

The invited candidates have 60 days to submit their application online for permanent residence. IRCC will usually takes up to six months to process application. After submission of the application – a candidate’ profile with complete information is locked. It cannot be changed further.

Invited Candidates must still meet eligibility and admissibility requirements under Canada’s Immigration Law.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The government of Canada uses a points-based system to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. A candidate’s age, education, work experience, language skills and other factors are taken into consideration to calculate CRS score. The candidates are ranked based on this score. The candidates who rank higher according to CRS score are invited to apply for permanent residence.

How can I calculate my Express Entry CRS Score?

Ikigai provides a free tool. You can use this tool to calculate your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System score.

Calculate your Express Entry CRS Score

Improve Your CRS Score

You can try to maximize your CRS score if you think that your score is low. Identify the cause and take the following steps to improve your score:

  • Your Express Entry profile is important.
  • You must represent yourself accurately.
  • Obtain a job offer
  • If you receive a job offer eligible under Express Entry, you can get up to 50 or 200 additional CRS points.
  • Retake your language test – It will fetch you around 160 to 260 points. You can focus on this area to improve more.
  • Obtain more work experience – you can gain additional work experience or better document the current work experience.
  • Obtain a provincial nomination
  • Have your spouse as the principal applicant.

Express Entry Immigration Steps

The step-by-step process of submitting your Express Entry profile and obtaining your permanent residence visa to Canada is as follows:

Check out whether you meet the eligibility criteria for Express Entry.

Create an online EE profile to make an expression of interest.

Provide complete information about your education, language, skills, work experience and so on. Make sure that your information is accurate.

Obtain your language testing and Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA) results.

Remember – without these results and assessment your express entry profile cannot be processed.

Submit your profile on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Immigration Canada places you in the pool of prospective candidates, once it confirms your eligibility. The Express Entry Pool is based on CRS.

Wait to check whether you receive an ITA (an Invitation to Apply) for PR from IRCC.

Once you receive an Invitation to Apply, submit your PR application to IRCC within the specified time frame. Include all your relevant certificates and medical exam reports along with your application for Permanent Residence (PR). After submission of your application, you will get an Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR) from IRCC.

When IRCC asks you to submit biometrics, you should do so.

Your application processing may take up to 6 months or less to finalize by the IRCC.

After approval, you will receive Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent visa.

Next, you will travel to Canada.

Am I eligible for Express Entry?

You must have to meet the criteria of the following Federal visa programs to become eligible for the Express Entry program:

Federal Skilled Learner Program – Learn more

Canadian Experience Class Learn more

Federal Skilled Trade Program Learn more