EXPRESS ENTRY IN CANADA: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SKILLED WORKER IMMIGRATION
General Enquiries
What is Express Entry?
Started in 2015, Express Entry has become the go-to way for people to move to Canada. It’s a big deal in immigration history. This online system handles applications for three important programs for permanent residence:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP),Â
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), andÂ
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC).Â
The system operates by issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs), which serve as the golden tickets for candidates seeking Canadian permanent residence. These ITAs open the doors to a new chapter in the lives of immigrants, making it the exclusive pathway through which candidates can formally seek permanent residence in Canada.Â
Explore a detailed breakdown of these programs to better understand the pathways to Canadian permanent residency.Â
Checkout Canada Category based entry.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program is one of the three programs of Canada’s Express Entry system, for managing immigration applications. This program is designed for candidates who has foreign work experience and do not have existing connections to Canada. It offers them the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in the country.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for immigration through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), you need to meet certain minimum criteria concerning your skilled work experience, language proficiency, financial resources, and educational background. Here’s a straightforward overview:
Work Experience:
- Minimum of one year of continuous full-time or 1,560 hours total (30 hours per week) paid work experience (volunteer work or unpaid internships don’t count) within the past 10 years in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) at TEER levels 0, 1, 2, or 3 to meet the eligibility criteria.
b) Language Proficiency:
- Reach a minimum level in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 is required in all language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Test scores remain valid for a duration of two years.
c) Points:
- Score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP grid, which evaluates candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, arranged employment, language proficiency, and adaptability.
d) Education:Â
- A minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent in foreign education.
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e) Financial Support: - Comply with the settlement fund criteria, if applicable. Candidates might be required to show a specific amount of savings to ensure financial support upon their arrival in Canada.
f) Residence in Canada:
- Must intend to live outside of the province of Quebec.
The FSWP’s selection factors are listed below.
| FACTORS | POINTS |
|---|---|
| EDUCATION | UPTO 25 POINTS |
| LANGUAGE SKILLS | UPTO 28 POINTS |
| WORK EXPERIENCE | UPTO 15 POINTS |
| AGE | UPTO 12 POINTS |
| ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT | UPTO 10 POINTS |
| ADAPTABILITY | UPTO 10 POINTS |
PROOF OF FUNDS
When applying for Canadian immigration under the Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need to show that you have enough funds to settle in Canada. This proof is a written confirmation that you possess the required financial resources.
However, if you are applying under the Canadian Experience Class or have authorization to work in Canada with a valid job offer, you are exempt from this requirement.
| No. of Family members | Funds Required (CAD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| Each Additional Member (More than 7) | $3,706 |
This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada as of April 25, 2023. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application.
Note:
- It’s crucial to make sure you have the right amount of funds when applying and getting your visa. Following the legal way to access your funds when you arrive in Canada is really important.
- You can’t use your property’s value or borrow money from others as proof of having enough money.
- The money you show must be sufficient for your family’s living costs, even if they’re not coming with you.
- Â If you and your spouse have a shared account, that can be accepted as a proof.
- If the funds are available only in your spouse’s account, you can use that as proof of funds, but you need to prove you can access it.
Documents Required to Proof Funds
Letters from your bank should have:
– The bank’s contact info (address, phone, and email).
– Your name.
– Info about any money you owe.
– Details for each account, like numbers and when you opened them.
– Current and average balances for the last 6 months.
If you are not able to demonstrate sufficient settlement funds, you can still apply as a Federal Skilled Worker if you first secure an offer of employment from a Canadian company.
BASIC OVERVIEW OF THE TEER CATEGORIES AND JOB EXAMPLES
The TEER system, which stands for Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities, is a part of Canada’s National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. It categorises jobs based on the nature of the work and job duties.Â
This system plays a crucial role in Canadian immigration programs such as Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To create an Express Entry profile and immigrate through any of the three Express Entry programs, it’s essential to know your NOC code and TEER for your specific type of work.
The TEER system divides jobs into five skill levels, each corresponding to the second digit of the NOC code. For instance, if the second digit is 0, the TEER skill level is also 0.
| TEER Category | Occupation Type | Job Examples |
|---|---|---|
| TEER 0 | Management occupations | • Restaurant managers
• Marketing & public relations manager • Financial managers |
| TEER 1 | Occupations that usually require a university degree | • Doctors
• Dentists • Engineers |
| TEER 2 | Occupations that usually require either a college diploma or apprenticeship training of 2 or more years | • Web technicians
• Medical laboratory technologists • Heavy equipment operators |
| TEER 3 | Occupations that usually require either a college diploma, apprenticeship training of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training | • Bakers
• Plumbers • Clerks |
| TEER 4 | Occupations that usually require a high school diploma or several weeks of on-the-job training | • Couriers & messengers
• Retail salespersons • Property administrators |
| TEER 5 | Occupations that usually need short-term work demonstration and no formal education | • Cashiers
• Pet groomers & animal care workers • Receptionists |
In order to qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, applicants must fulfill the required minimum work experience for TEER levels 0, 1, 2, and 3.
HOW TO APPLY FOR EXPRESS ENTRY
If you satisfy the eligibility requirements for Express Entry, proceed by following the subsequent steps in the application process:
Step 1: Check if You Qualify
- Check your eligibility for Express Entry by completing a brief 10 to 15-minute form, providing information about your nationality, age, language proficiency, family, education, work experience, available funds, and any job offers.
- Based on your answers, IRCC will let you know which Express Entry programs you might be eligible for, so be accurate. If you’re eligible, the authority will guide you on what to do next, including creating an online profile. If your profile meets the requirements, you might get an invitation to apply for immigration.
Note:
- Express Entry profiles are valid for one year.
- Â The profile may become invalid if the applicant no longer meets relevant Express Entry or skilled immigration program criteria.
- An invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence makes the profile invalid. However, profiles become valid again if an applicant declines an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
- Updating information on the profile doesn’t affect its validity.
- If a candidate doesn’t receive an invitation within one year, the profile will be deleted from the pool
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 Step 2: Evaluate Your Points
- Upon submitting your profile, you will be ranked in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
- To receive an invitation, ensure your score is above the minimum points (67/100) threshold. Remember, a higher score enhances your chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence.
If you don’t meet the 67-point threshold, consider taking these steps:
- Enhance your language proficiency.
- Pursue an additional degree, diploma, or certificate.
- Explore eligibility for a Provincial Nominee Program and submit an application if applicable.
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Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
When you decide to create an Express Entry profile, make sure you have the necessary documents to prove your eligibility. These include:
- Passport or travel document (Venezuelan passport holders may have additional steps).
- Proof of Canadian education or an educational credential assessment (ECA) report if applying through the Federal Skilled Workers Program or claiming points for education outside Canada.
- Language test results.
- Provincial nomination documentation if applicable.
- Written job offer from a Canadian employer if available.
- Proof of work experience.
- Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation if applicable.
- Proof of funds.
*If you receive an invitation to apply, you’ll need to upload copies of these documents, along with any additional requirements outlined on the official website. Ensure your documentation is complete and accurate for a smooth application process.*
Documents Required for Permanent Residence Application
In addition to above documents, most applicants will need to upload:
- Police certificates
- Birth certificate (if declaring dependent children)
- Use of a Representative form (if used)
- Common-law union form (if declaring common-law marriage)
- Marriage certificate (if declaring married status)
- Divorce certificate and legal separation agreement (if declaring divorced)
- Death certificate (if declaring widowed)
- Adoption certificate (if dependent child is adopted)
Additional Documents (if in your checklist)
- Proof of relationship to a relative in Canada
- Digital photos for identity confirmation
- Confirmation of other names (aliases)
- Authority to release personal information form.
- Any other documents you believe support your application.
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Step 4: Submit your application and Receive an invitation
A Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Express Entry profile stays active in the candidate pool for 12 months. If you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) while in the pool, you have 60 days to submit a complete application and required documents to the Canadian government.
The standard processing time for Express Entry applications is six months, beginning from the receipt of your application by Canadian authorities to the issuance of a permanent residence visa.
Several factors, such as the complexity and completeness of your application, the ease of verifying the provided information, and the inclusion of an extra family member, may influence your processing time.
What are the processing fees to apply under the FSW program?
When applying for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker program, it’s important to pay the government processing fees. These fees are distinct from the settlement funds that candidates need to show as part of their eligibility requirements for the program.
The processing fees for the Federal Skilled Worker program include:
| Application | Processing fee in $ CAD |
|---|---|
| Principal applicant (Processing fee and right of permanent residence fee) | $1365 |
| Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner (with right of permanent residence fee) | $1365 |
| A dependent child under the age of 22 who is not a spouse or common-law/conjugal partner, or a dependent over the age of 22 who is unable to support themselves financially due to a physical or mental condition | Add $230 each per dependent |
Last updated May 10, 2022
BENEFITS OF EXPRESS ENTRY
Discover the advantages of Express Entry—a top choice for Canadian Permanent Residency.
- Streamlined immigration process enhances efficiency for both applicants and the Canadian government.
- The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) ensures fair candidate selection based on age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.
- Regular draws invite high-scoring candidates, ensuring a steady influx of skilled individuals.
- Online accessibility simplifies profile creation, document submission, and application updates.
- Aligned with the Canadian labor market, Express Entry ensures immigrants contribute to economic growth.
- Expedited processing times in Express Entry speed up permanent residency applications.
- Family reunification programs support the inclusion of spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children.
- Transparency is increased through the CRS score, helping candidates understand profile evaluation and improve their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
Understanding 67-Point System vs. CRS Calculator
- 67-Point System:
The 67-point system decides if you’re eligible for the Express Entry pool. It’s like a checklist for qualifications but doesn’t predict if you’ll get an invite for a permanent resident visa. Your chances depend on your rank in the pool, which is determined by the CRS score.
- CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System):
The CRS grid helps you compete in the Express Entry pool. Think of it like a big scoring game with a total of 1200 points. Half of the points (600) come from your skills, education, and background, and the other half from job offers or provincial nominations.
- Difference Breakdown:
The 67 points check if you qualify, while the CRS grid ranks you in the pool. The final invite for a permanent resident visa considers both systems, making sure you’re both eligible and stand out in the competition.
Key Elements for Calculating Express Entry Points
The CRS evaluates eligible candidates for Canadian immigration through Express Entry based on the following criteria:
- Core Human Capital Factors:
   – Maximum 500 points for candidates without a spouse.
   – Maximum 460 points for the principal applicant with a spouse.
- Accompanying Spouse or Common-Law Factors:
   – Maximum 40 points for the spouse or common-law partner.
- Skill Transferability Factors:
   – Maximum 100 points available.
- Factors Relating to Provincial Nomination or Job Offer:
   – Up to 600 points for a provincial nomination or up to 200 points for a qualifying job offer.
- Additional Factors:
   – Up to 30 points for Canadian study experience.
   – Up to 50 points for French language ability, combined with English.
   – Up to 15 points for a sibling in Canada.
HOW WE CAN ASSIST YOUÂ
If you’re thinking about applying for permanent residence through any of the Express Entry programs, Migratex is your trusted partner. With ample experience, we proudly consider ourselves among the best immigration consultants in Bangalore and a leading Canada immigration consultant. We specialize in offering tailored services for those looking to study in Canada or obtain a Canada work visa. Our knowledgeable team ensures that your application process is not just seamless but also successful.
Why Choose Migratex?
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