Express Entry: How it works and what we recommend

Did you know that Canada is one of the best places in North America to start a new chapter in your life?

If you're thinking about making the move and settling down in Canada, you're in the right place.

Express Entry immigration is one of the quickest ways to get to Canada.

However, it's important to know that not everyone will qualify for this fast-track option.

After reading this article, you will figure out if Express Entry is the right pathway for you and your family to begin your journey in Canada.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is a system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to handle permanent residency applications.

It processes applications from three main skilled worker programs: the Federal Skilled Worker program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trade program.

This system is very competitive.

It ranks candidates based on their age, education, language skills, work experience, and other factors.

The top candidates are invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

With Express Entry, individuals and families can become permanent residents and settle in Canada in just a few months.

Who is eligible for Express Entry?

Express Entry is different from a Student Visa or Spousal Sponsorship.

People with university or college degrees, skilled work experience, and some English and/or French ability make good Express Entry candidates.

The Federal Skilled Worker Program allows people with work experience from other countries, who do not have connections in Canada, to apply for permanent residency.

The Canadian Experience Class is for international students and foreign workers who have Canadian work experience. It offers them a way to get permanent residency.

The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for individuals who want permanent residency based on their skills in a trade.

What are the requirements for Express Entry?

As with any other type of Canadian visa, there are specific requirements to check before applying.

To apply for Express Entry, you need to meet these requirements:

You must have at least one year of full-time work experience (or part-time equivalent) in a skilled job within the last 10 years.
You must show that you have a minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in either English or French on an approved language test.
You need to complete post-secondary education that has been evaluated against Canadian standards through an Education Credential Assessment.

How Express Entry Works

The Express Entry process is how people can settle in Canada. It has two main steps:

Step 1: Profile Submission.

First, check if you qualify for one of the three immigration programs.

Then, complete your language tests and, if needed, get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).

Once you have everything ready, submit your profile on the IRCC website.

This will give you a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on your qualifications.

Step 2: Invitation to Apply (ITA)

After your profile is submitted, the Canadian government regularly draws from all candidates.

They invite those with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residency.

There are three types of draws:

General Rounds: Open to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria.
Program-Specific Rounds: Focus on candidates who qualify for certain programs.
Category-Based Rounds: Target candidates with specific skills that Canada needs.

If you're ready to begin, check out A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply for Canada Express Entry.

How does the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) work

The CRS awards points based on different criteria, divided into two categories:

Core Points (up to 600 points): Factors include your skills, experience, and any spouse or partner factors.
Additional Points (up to 600 points): You can earn these for Canadian degrees, valid job offers, provincial nominations, or strong French language skills.

In total, candidates can score a maximum of 1,200 points. The higher your score, the better your chances of getting an ITA during the draws. Good luck on your journey to Canada!

What Score Do You Need to Immigrate to Canada Through Express Entry?

In the Express Entry pool, candidates receive a CRS score, no matter which immigration program they qualify for.

This score ranks each candidate.

When the IRCC makes an Express Entry draw, the CRS score is the main factor in deciding which candidates get invited to apply for permanent residence.

The CRS cut-off scores are not set in advance and can change for different Express Entry draws.

There is no specific number of points required to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry.

However, looking at past draws can help candidates understand which scores are likely to get them invited to apply.

What is the ideal Express Entry candidate?

The ideal candidates for Express Entry typically meet these criteria:

Under 30 years old.
Possess at least two Bachelor’s degrees or a Master’s degree.
Demonstrate moderate to high proficiency in English and/or French (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level 9 or higher)
Have a minimum of three years of skilled work experience.

Additional factors that can significantly enhance your CRS score include:

Advanced language skills in English and/or French.
Bilingualism in both French and English.
Holding a Master’s degree or Ph.D.
Relevant Canadian work or education experience.
Receiving a nomination from a provincial nominee program.
Securing a job offer from a Canadian employer.
Having a sibling living in Canada.

Considerations for Your Canadian Express Entry Application

Here are some key points about the application process:

All FSW and FST applicants must prove they have enough money to support themselves and their family when they arrive in Canada.
If you have a valid job offer in Canada or are applying through the CEC, you do not need to show proof of funds.
Be careful if you accidentally included extra months of work experience in your profile.
Most of the information from your Express Entry profile will automatically transfer to your permanent residence application. Changing this information later could hurt your application.
It’s very important to provide accurate information from the start. You will need to submit documents that back up your claims.
Lying on an immigration application is a serious offense and can result in a five-year ban from Canada.
Even if you only need to show a CLB level 7 for language skills, try to aim for a higher score. Scoring CLB level 9 instead of level 7 can significantly improve your CRS score.

Recommendations from Parsam Immigration for Applying to Express Entry

Before you join Canada’s Express Entry pool, use the Government of Canada’s CRS calculator to check your potential score.

Next, compare your score to the latest cut-off score from Express Entry draws.

Ask yourself: Are you close to the cut-off? Above it? Or far below it?

Important: Your actual CRS score may differ from the calculator's estimate.

If your score is significantly below the cut-off, consider consulting with Parsam Immigration for advice and options.

Here are some extra tips:

Improve your language skills.
Include all relevant work experience in your profile. If you lack experience, consider gaining it through temporary work or studying in Canada for extra points.
If you have a spouse, include them in your application. Their strong qualifications can boost your score. You might want to make them the main applicant or list them as non-accompanying to maximize points.
Get a Canadian job offer, which can add 50 to 200 points to your CRS score.
Pursue a provincial nomination, which can give you an extra 600 points and greatly improve your chances of receiving an ITA.
Ensure all required documents are correctly organized and submitted upfront. Incomplete applications will be canceled without the opportunity to rectify them.

Conclusion

Express Entry is one of the best ways to get permanent residency in Canada.

However, you need to meet the requirements of different programs and work on improving your score so you and your family can be selected to start your life in Canada.

At Parsam Immigration, we understand that this process can be complicated, especially if you're not an expert and don't have enough time to gather all the documents and ensure your application is excellent.

Our job is to assist you, so you can feel confident that professionals who know the system are handling everything.

Book your consultation with us here to start making your dream come true.