What is Express Entry, how does the immigration process to Canada work?
Express Entry – is an online system for selecting candidates for immigration to Canada based on scores. The higher your score, the greater your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for immigration.
Express Entry should not be confused with the immigration program. As was said, this is only a system for selecting candidates. Federal and many provincial programs work through it.
The system is very popular, since the entire process takes place online, a minimum number of documents are required at the start, registration and participation in the programs are free of charge.
In this system you cannot select a specific program. It automatically determines which immigration programs you qualify for based on the information you enter. If 2 programs are suitable, then you will be ranked in two and can receive an invitation for any of them.
However, when an invitation to submit documents arrives (if you are eligible), the program under which you are offered to immigrate is indicated. And here you can make a choice - agree to move under this program, or decline and wait for an invitation under another. The programs run in the following order:
In this system you cannot select a specific program. It automatically determines which immigration programs you qualify for based on the information you enter. If 2 programs are suitable, then you will be ranked in two and can receive an invitation for any of them.
However, when an invitation to submit documents arrives (if you are eligible), the program under which you are offered to immigrate is indicated. And here you can make a choice - agree to move under this program, or decline and wait for an invitation under another. The programs run in the following order:
- provincial;
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC);
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW);
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
For whom is the system relevant (selection criteria)
To participate in EE, you must meet the eligibility criteria for one of the federal programs.
The most popular program in Express Entry 2023, as it does not require work experience in Canada or an invitation to work in this state.
For those who have experience in a sought-after profession (industry, electrical engineering, metal working, construction professions, mechanics, cooks, butchers, etc.). A complete list of specialties is on the program page.
You must also have a job offer from a Canadian employer or a certificate of qualifications.
For those who have worked in Canada for at least 1 year within the last 3 years.
Comparison table of federal program requirements
How the system works (immigration process)
To make it easier for you to understand how Express Entry works, we will describe the entire process step by step below.
1. Assessing the chances.
You need to evaluate whether you meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the federal programs. If yes, then move on. If not, then figure out why and improve this characteristic(s).
2. Preparation of documents.
When creating a profile, you must have 2 documents:
1. Assessing the chances.
You need to evaluate whether you meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the federal programs. If yes, then move on. If not, then figure out why and improve this characteristic(s).
2. Preparation of documents.
When creating a profile, you must have 2 documents:
- international passport;
- Language test results: most often these are IELTS for English and TEF Canada for French.
In most cases, education evacuation (evaluation of our diplomas according to Canadian standards) is also required.
This is necessary to pass the Federal Skilled Worker, as well as to gain points in Express Entry.
3. Create and submit a profile.
You must register an account on the official website of Canada. After creating an Express Entry profile, fill it out and submit for review.
4. Conformity assessment (first stage of selection).
The profile you submit is evaluated. If everything is filled out correctly and you meet one of the federal programs, then your profile is moved to the Express Entry pool of candidates.
Being included in Express Entry does not guarantee that you will be selected and invited.
This is the first step.
This is the first step.
However, it allows you to participate in a number of provincial programs that are linked to this system. This is often the only option if you cannot achieve a passing score.
A nomination from the province gives 600 points, which guarantees moving to Canada if everything is in order with the documents.
5. Achieving a passing score (second stage of selection).
Once your profile is submitted to the candidate pool, it is automatically rated by the Comprehensive Ranking System. As a result, a certain point is awarded.
The assessment is based on age, education, level of language proficiency, work experience in Canada and abroad.
Before the pandemic, selections were held consistently 2 times a month. Afterwards there was a long break, and in July 2022 they resumed again, but the stability was gone: maybe 3 selections in a month, or maybe several weeks of silence.
To receive an invitation to immigrate, you must have a minimum passing score or higher.
A nomination from the province gives 600 points, which guarantees moving to Canada if everything is in order with the documents.
5. Achieving a passing score (second stage of selection).
Once your profile is submitted to the candidate pool, it is automatically rated by the Comprehensive Ranking System. As a result, a certain point is awarded.
The assessment is based on age, education, level of language proficiency, work experience in Canada and abroad.
Before the pandemic, selections were held consistently 2 times a month. Afterwards there was a long break, and in July 2022 they resumed again, but the stability was gone: maybe 3 selections in a month, or maybe several weeks of silence.
To receive an invitation to immigrate, you must have a minimum passing score or higher.
If there is only 1 place left, and your score is suitable, but 10 other people have the same score, then the one who sent their profile earlier will pass. And the rest will return to the funnel and wait for a new round of invitations.
Changes that affect your score and situation must be made to your Express Entry profile. For example, if the result of a language test has expired and you took a new one, you have a child, you received a new education that will allow you to increase your score, etc.
If you update your profile, your first submission date will remain the same. However, if you delete your old profile and create a new one, or it expires, your profile will have a new date value.
6. Invitation to Immigration (ITA).
If you achieve a passing score, you automatically receive an ITA—an invitation to submit documents.
You will have 60 days to upload all necessary documents, fill out forms, and pay fees.
After this, the immigration office will check all the information and if there are no problems, you will receive the appropriate visas and instructions.
7. Landing process.
Landing is the process of crossing the Canadian border, after successful completion of which you become a permanent resident of Canada.
If you update your profile, your first submission date will remain the same. However, if you delete your old profile and create a new one, or it expires, your profile will have a new date value.
6. Invitation to Immigration (ITA).
If you achieve a passing score, you automatically receive an ITA—an invitation to submit documents.
You will have 60 days to upload all necessary documents, fill out forms, and pay fees.
After this, the immigration office will check all the information and if there are no problems, you will receive the appropriate visas and instructions.
7. Landing process.
Landing is the process of crossing the Canadian border, after successful completion of which you become a permanent resident of Canada.
Validity period of documents and EE profile
Results
Express Entry –This is a system for selecting candidates for immigration that anyone can use.
Key Features:
Key Features:
- it is not a program, but a system through which immigration candidates pass;
- To qualify for Express Entry, you must meet the requirements of one of the federal programs;
- Passing Express Entry does not guarantee successful immigration. This is just the first step. The second is to score a passing grade;
- if you can’t get a passing score, you need to seek support from the provinces.
Answers to frequently asked questions
If you just created a profile, but did not fill it out completely and did not submit it for review, it will remain in the system for 60 days.
If you have fully submitted your profile, it will be active for 1 year, or until you receive an invitation and accept it.
If you have fully submitted your profile, it will be active for 1 year, or until you receive an invitation and accept it.
In this case, your profile is sent back to the member pool and will be active until the end of the year (from the moment this profile was first submitted).
No. The Express Entry system determines which programs you qualify for. If your data is relevant for several programs, then you will rank for several.
At the same time, when an invitation to immigrate arrives, the name of the program is indicated. If she doesn't suit you (and this happens, but very rarely), then you can decline the invitation. Your profile will remain untouched and will continue to participate in the selection.
At the same time, when an invitation to immigrate arrives, the name of the program is indicated. If she doesn't suit you (and this happens, but very rarely), then you can decline the invitation. Your profile will remain untouched and will continue to participate in the selection.
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