Express Entry

Express Entry in Brampton, Ontario

What Is Express Entry?

Express Entry is an online application system managed by the Government of Canada. The system organizes and processes immigration applications from skilled individuals who wish to become permanent residents of Canada. This system covers three federal immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Through this system, eligible candidates can enter a selection pool and, if ranked highly, receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

Why Consider Express Entry?

The Canadian government designed Express Entry for individuals with education, work experience, and language ability in English or French. It aims to support Canada’s labour market by bringing in skilled individuals who can contribute to economic development.

Whether you are applying from abroad or already living in Canada, Express Entry offers a structured pathway for those who meet program-specific criteria.

How to Apply for Express Entry

Applying for Express Entry involves a multi-step process. The first step is to submit an online profile with the following required documents:

• Language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF)
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for degrees earned outside Canada
• Valid passport or travel document

Suppose your profile meets eligibility criteria and ranks high enough. In that case, you may receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. At that point, you must submit a complete application, which includes:

• Reference letters from employers
• Additional identification and civil status documents
• Police clearance certificates
• Medical exam results

Who Can Apply?

Express Entry is suited for individuals who:

• Have a university or college degree
• Possess skilled work experience
• Show competence in English and/or French

To enter the pool, candidates must meet the criteria for one of the following:

• FSW: Skilled professionals with foreign work experience
• FST: Skilled trades workers with job experience in specific fields
• CEC: Individuals with Canadian work experience in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3

Each program has its guidelines regarding work experience, education, and language skills.

Key Eligibility Requirements

To qualify as a skilled worker through Express Entry, you generally need to:

• Have a minimum of one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) skilled work experience within the last ten years.
• Achieve a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level of 7 in English or French on an accepted test.
• Obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to evaluate your postsecondary education against Canadian standards.

Meeting these conditions allows you to create a profile, but receiving an ITA depends on how your profile ranks compared to others in the pool.

Express Entry Costs

The total cost for applying through Express Entry can vary. Below is a general breakdown:

• Language test: Approx. CAD 300
• Educational Credential Assessment: Around CAD 200
• Biometrics: CAD 85 per applicant
• Government processing fees: CAD 1,325 for adults; CAD 225 per child
• Medical exam: CAD 450 for adults; approx. CAD 250 for children
• Police certificate: Approx. CAD 100 per country

There is no fee to submit the initial profile. Fees apply once an invitation to apply is received. If applying through a Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), additional provincial fees may apply.

You must provide proof of funds in most cases unless you are applying through the Canadian Experience Class or have a valid job offer in hand. These funds are not fees but are required to demonstrate financial capacity for settlement.

Is a Job Offer Necessary?

You don’t need a job offer to apply through the Express Entry program. The system often invites applicants even if they don’t have one. However, having a valid offer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) can add up to 200 points to your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, increasing your chances of receiving an ITA.

Note: As of now, LMIA-related points have been temporarily paused, so they may not currently increase your CRS score.

Express Entry Processing Timeline

The timeline can vary based on profile strength and document readiness. Here’s an overview:

• Profile validity: 12 months in the Express Entry pool
• Post-ITA application window: 60 days to submit a complete application
• Processing time post-submission: Generally within six months

You can submit a new profile if you do not receive an invitation within 12 months.

Understanding CRS Scores

Applicants are ranked in the pool based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which assigns points based on several factors:

• Age
• Education
• Language proficiency
• Work experience (Canadian and international)
• Spouse or partner factors
• Family connections in Canada

High-ranking candidates are more likely to receive invitations during periodic draws.

Can the CRS Score Change?

The CRS cut-off score changes based on each draw. Recent developments also indicate a shift towards occupation-targeted draws, which could lessen the emphasis on overall CRS scores in some cases. Additionally, PNP nominations can provide a significant score increase, giving more applicants a chance to qualify.

How to Strengthen Your CRS Score

Here are a few ways to enhance your profile:

• Improve language test results
• Retaking tests to achieve higher scores can significantly boost your CRS.
• Upgrade educational credentials
• Additional degrees or certifications may strengthen your profile.
• Gain more work experience
• Canadian work experience, in particular, adds valuable points.
• Secure a job offer in Canada
• An eligible job offer supported by an LMIA adds up to 200 CRS points.
• Apply for a Provincial Nomination
• PNPs can add 600 points to your profile, greatly enhancing selection chances.
• Spousal factors
• If applicable, include your spouse’s qualifications for additional points.
• Connections to Canada
• Having siblings in Canada or a previous education in Canada can also be beneficial.

Start Your Application

Navigating Express Entry requires careful planning, accurate documentation, and staying up-to-date with the latest updates in immigration pathways. If you’re considering this option from Brampton or elsewhere, reviewing your eligibility and enhancing your profile early on can make a difference.