Overview of Express Entry
The Express Entry system is a two steps process. First, a candidate must determine if they qualify for one or more of the Express entry streams. After an initial determination of qualification to one or more of the programs an applicant must upload their profile to the Express entry pool.
The province of Quebec is not part of the Express Entry.
These are the Express Entry Streams:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial Nominee Program in some cases.
Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from the Express Entry system through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labour market needs. The applicant can enter the pool first, and then be nominated by a province/territory; or be nominated by a province/territory, and then complete an online Express Entry profile.
How it works - Step 1
Once it is determined that a candidate qualifies under one of the above-mentioned economic programs, they must complete an online Express Entry profile and provide information based on their
- Skills
- Work experience
- Language ability
- Education
- Other details that will be beneficial for the assessment
Foreign nationals who meet the criteria of one of the above federal immigration programs will be accepted into a pool of candidates.
While in the pool the applicant may create a job match that will provide an opportunity to connect with eligible employers in Canada looking for their skills.
Candidates are also encouraged to promote themselves to employers in other ways, such as using job boards, recruiters etc.
STEP 2
Based on the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), the highest-ranking highest score) candidates in the pool will be invited to apply for permanent residence. The CRS is a point system which is explained below. Candidates will be awarded points for a job offer, and/or a nomination from a province or territory, and/or skills and experience factors. These additional points will make a candidate rank high enough to be invited to apply at the next eligible round of invitations. Only the highest scores in the pool will be issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA).
If a foreign national is Invited to Apply, they will have 60 days to submit an online application for permanent residence. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will process their application with all the necessary supporting documents in six months or less.
If they do not receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residence within 12 months of submitting an Express Entry profile, they are taken out of the pool and may resubmit a new profile if they still meet the criteria.
In most cases when there is a job being offered to a candidate, employers will need an LMIA from ESDC. The LMIA process ensures employers have made an effort to hire Canadians for available jobs. There will be no LMIA fee for permanent resident applications. The employer doesn’t need an LMIA if:
- 1. working full-time for the employer on your work permit for at least one year (or an equal amount of part-time work)
- 2. a valid job offer and have a valid work permit that is exempt from an LMIA under an international agreement such as NAFTA & GATS, a federal-provincial agreement or the “Canadian interests” category. For skilled trade jobs, working for up to two employers can make a job offer.
Minimum requirements
Work:
Twelve (12) months of full time (or equal amount in part time) of skilled work experience (NOC 00, 0, A, B) in Canada with a work permit in the last three (3) years.
Language (English or French):
In all areas (speaking, listening, reading, writing) Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 for NOC 0 or A jobs or Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)5 for NOC B jobs
Admissibility:
Be admissible to Canada.
Living in Canada:
Intend to live outside the province of Quebec.
