Express Entry
How the Provincial Nominee Program works, how to apply online and how to apply on paper.
One of the fastest ways to attract skilled workers to immigrate to Canada is the Express Entry method. Express Entry is an online system that IRCC uses to manage immigration applications from skilled workers.
There are 3 immigration programs managed through Express Entry::
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program ( FSTC )
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
If the applicant is eligible for one of the above programs, they can also apply through Express Entry for the Provincial Nominee Program. If they’re nominated, they’ll get extra points so they can be invited to apply quickly.
If they’re eligible for one or more of the Express Entry programs and submit their profile, they’ll be ranked in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
The CRS is a points-based system they use to assess and score their profile and rank it in the Express Entry pool.
To be invited, the applicant needs to have a score above the minimum points score for their round of invitations.
Use our CRS tool to estimate your score
Perhaps the first question that comes to your mind is “ what the first step is to start the immigration process to Canada”. As I explained, there are several ways to immigrate to Canada, and depending on the applicant’s eligibility, one or more methods can be chosen. But the most important step to immigrating to Canada is to have knowledge of English or French or both. Except for family sponsorship or asylum program, a language certificate is the first requirement for immigration programs
To immigrate to Canada you either need a general English Language certificate or a French-language certificate. You will need a different passing score depending on how you want to immigrate. Accepted language certificates are IELTS and CELPIP certificates. CELPIP is currently administered in a limited number of countries. For French language certificates (TEF or TCF) are acceptable.
Therefore, you should plan purposefully to improve your language ability and obtain one of those language certificates.
This category is for skilled workers who have Canadian work experience
Applicants must have the minimum requirements to enter the pointing system as follows:
- Have an English or French language certificate with the minimum required score:
- Managerial and professional jobs, NOC Type 0 & Level A at least CLB 7
- Technical jobs and skilled trades jobs, NOC Level B, at least CLB 5
- Have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada, in the last 3 years before they apply
- They must be admissible to Canada.
Now, if the applicant has the minimum requirements, they can enter the Express Entry pool. Having higher education, work experience and language certificate with a higher score as well as other parameters such as family member in Canada, spouse’s education, Canadian education of the applicant and his / her spouse as well as Canadian work experience of the applicant and spouse will increase the points. Use our CRS calculation tool to estimate your score.
One practical way for applicants in this group is to obtain a study permit and a degree from a Canadian educational institution, followed by obtaining a work permit after graduation and gaining at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for skilled workers, NOC Level B, who want to become permanent residents based on being qualified in a skilled trade. Applicants in this category must have the minimum requirements to enter the Express Entry pointing system as follows:
- Have an English or French language certificate with the minimum required scores
- Speaking and Listening CLB 5
- Reading and Writing CLB 4
- have at least 2 years of full-time work experience (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the 5 years before they apply
- Having a full-time job offer for one year from a Canadian employer or having a certificate of qualification from a Canadian province.
- Having the financial support from C $ 12,500 and more depends on the number of family members.
- Skilled trades for the Federal Skilled Trades Program are organized under these groups of the National Occupational Classification (NOC):
- Major Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades
- Major Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades
- Major Group 82, supervisors and technical jobs in natural resources, agriculture and related production
- Major Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utility supervisors and central control operators
- Minor Group 632, chefs and cooks
- Minor Group 633, butchers and bakers No criminal history or health problem.
Now, if the applicant has the minimum requirements, they can enter the Express Entry pool. Having higher education, work experience and language certificate with a higher score as well as other parameters such as family member in Canada, spouse’s education, Canadian education of the applicant and his / her spouse as well as Canadian work experience of the applicant and spouse will increase the points. Use our CRS calculation tool to estimate your score.
This program is for skilled workers, NOC Type 0, Level A & B, with foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently. Applicants in this category must have the minimum requirements to enter the Express Entry pointing system as follows:
- Have an English or French language certificate with the minimum required scores
- Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing, CLB 7
- Have at least one year of full-time or part-time work experience in a professional or managerial job within ten years before the application.
- Having a degree at least equivalent to a high school diploma in Canada
- Having the financial support from C $ 12,500 and more depends on the number of family members.
- After meeting the minimum requirements, the applicant will be evaluated in an initial scoring system based on the parameters of age, education, work experience, language scores and adaptability. If the applicant obtains a minimum score of 67 out of 100, he/she will be entered into the Express Entry pointing system.
Now, if the applicant has the minimum requirements, they can enter the Express Entry pool. Having higher education, work experience and language certificate with a higher score as well as other parameters such as family member in Canada, spouse’s education, Canadian education of the applicant and his / her spouse as well as Canadian work experience of the applicant and spouse will increase the points. Use our CRS tool to estimate your score
Express Entry is an online immigrant selection system that is used to manage the immigration process of skilled and experienced people. The steps of the Express Entry system are as follows:
Step 1- Checking the eligibility of the applicant. If the applicant is eligible and has the minimum requirements for registration, then they can enter the Express Entry pool and will move to the next step.
Step 2 – Preparation of the necessary documents. In this step, the applicant must prepare the following documents:
- Preparing a valid passport, language certificate, the education evaluation for FSWC applicants.
- Preparing the letter introducing the provincial nomination (if the applicant is nominated by a province).
- Prepare the job offer from a Canadian employer (if available to the applicant).
Step 3 – Register the applicant in the system and send the above documents.
Stage 4- Placing the applicant in the pointing system and assigning a CRS score to the applicant in the Express Entry pool.
Step 5 – To be invited, the applicant needs to have a score above the minimum points score for their round of invitations
Step 6- Sending invitations to the selected people to send the application for permanent residence.
Stage 7- Applying for permanent residence and checking other requirements like medical conditions and criminal records of the applicants by IRCC.
The last step, issuing a permanent residence visa for the selected person and their family members (if applicable).
Application Type | Fee ( Canadian Dollars) |
Main Applicant Processing fee ($825) and right of permanent residence fee ($500) | 1325 |
Spouse or partner Processing fee ($825) and right of permanent residence fee ($500) | 1325 |
Dependent child | 225 |
Biometrics – per person | 85 |
Biometrics – per group (2 or more) | 170 |