Express Entry

Overview: 

Express Entry is a comprehensive application management system employed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to oversee and streamline the processing of permanent residency applications through three federal economic immigration programs:

• The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program
• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• The Federal Skilled Trade (FST) program

Under the Express Entry system, candidates create an online profile where they input details about their skills, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other relevant factors. Based on this information, candidates receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which ranks them against other candidates in the pool. To qualify for creating an Express Entry profile, skilled workers must meet the minimum requirements of at least one of the three programs.

Federal Skilled Worker Program- Minimum Requirements: 

• The skilled worker should have at least one year (or 1,560 hours) of continuous full-time or an equal amount in part-time work experience in a skilled occupation within the last 10 years. The work experience must be at skill level 0, A, or B of the National Occupational Classification (NOC).
• The skilled worker must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French by taking a language test. The minimum language score is equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7.
• The skilled worker must have secondary education or above. If education is received outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for foreign education should be provided. This report assesses the equivalence of your education to Canadian standards.
• The skilled worker must provide proof of funds to settle in Canada (If you have a valid job offer or are currently working in Canada with valid worker status, this requirement may be exempted).

Note: For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) conducts an initial assessment of the candidate’s eligibility. This evaluation considers six factors including age, education, work experience, the presence of a valid job offer, proficiency in English or French language skills, and adaptability (indicating the likelihood of successful settlement in Canada).

Based on the candidate’s background in each of these six factors, the IRCC assigns a score to determine the candidate’s eligibility for the program. The overall score is on a scale of 100, and the current minimum pass mark is set at 67 points.

Canadian Experience Class- Minimum Requirements: 

• The skilled worker must have at least 1 year of skilled work experience in Canada (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in the three years before applying. The skilled worker must have a valid work status while gaining the work experience in Canada.
• The skilled worker must demonstrate proficiency in either English or French by taking a language test. The minimum language score is:
• CLB 7 in TEER 0 and 1
• CLB 5 in TEER 2 and 3.

Federal Skilled Trade Program- Minimum Requirements: 

• The skilled worker should have at least 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within five years before applying. 
• The work experience must meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

Category-Based Selection:

In May 2023, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced category-based selection draws for Express Entry candidates showcasing work experience in high-demand occupations. The draws include one for candidates with strong French-language skills and five categories based on occupations:

1. Healthcare occupations
2. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
3. Trades occupations, encompassing roles like carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
4. Transport occupations
5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations

To qualify in occupation-based selection, the skilled worker must have 6 months of full-time (or equivalent) work experience in the 3 years prior to the submission of the permanent residence application.

Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is utilized in the evaluation of Express Entry candidates, assessing their human capital attributes, including:

• skills
• education
• language proficiency 
• work experience
• other factors

Periodically, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issues Invitations to Apply (ITA) to candidates whose CRS scores meet or exceed the designated threshold. This efficient approach allows skilled workers and their families aiming to settle in Canada to obtain permanent residency within a relatively short timeframe, typically a few months.

Program Summary:

Express Entry provides a streamlined and prompt immigration process for eligible candidates. Upon receiving an ITA, candidates can directly apply for Canadian permanent residency. The processing time for Express Entry is generally quicker compared to other immigration programs.

However, with the growing number of candidates and evolving immigration policies, Express Entry has become highly competitive. Not all individuals who submit profiles will receive an ITA, creating a potential disadvantage for those with strong qualifications that may not align with the high CRS thresholds. As a result, despite its efficiency, the competitiveness of the Express Entry system poses challenges for certain applicants.

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