Express Entry (EE) is an application management system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage and process applications received through three of Canada’s federal economic immigration programs for skilled workers. Express Entry is a very competitive immigration program ranking all eligible candidates based on their age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors.
The IRCC aims to process 80% of complete Express Entry applications within 8 months from the moment a compete application received. Apparently, not every application will be finalized in such a short term, as this will depend on the circumstances of the case. However, EE is the promptest way to become permanent resident in Canada for those who are eligible.
There are 3 immigration programs managed through EE:
The Skilled Workers Program
The Skilled Trades Program
The Canadian Experience Class
To qualify for Express Entry, you need to meet the eligibility criteria for one of the programs listed above. Once you create your EE profile, the system will generate an acknowledgement showing your eligibility and points.
You will get Express Entry points based on:
- Your education level
- Your abilities in English and/or French (Canada’s 2 official languages);
- Your work experience and skills
- Your age
- If you have a job offer in Canada; and
- Your spouse’s education, language abilities and work experience.
Additional points are also awarded if you have completed a college or university program in Canada, if you have a provincial nomination and some other factors.
Express Entry (EE) profile is valid for the following 12 months from the moment of creation. This means that during this time you will be a candidate for receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence, after which, you will have 60 days to submit a complete permanent resident application.
My clients often interested on how to improve their EE points. The answer will depend on the circumstances of the case, but usually, this can be done by improving your English or/and French skills, obtaining Canadian education, work experience or a valid job offer. Some improvements, such as language abilities, may only nudge your EE score up a few points, but these points could get your score necessary for receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence. However, a fact of receipt of provincial nominee can bring as many as 600 additional Comprehensive Ranking System points, which will guarantee that you would be invited to apply in a subsequent draw for permanent residence in Canada.
Therefore, it is crucial that you are aware of these possibilities and work vigorously on improving your score.