Greetings, aspiring Canadians! Let's discuss about the Express Entry (EE): The cheapest and fastest way to immigrate to Canada.
Introduced in 2015, Express Entry (EE) is the Canadian government's swift and efficient way of managing applications for permanent residence from skilled workers aiming to call Canada home. Here's your ticket to understanding and navigating this streamlined process.
🌐 Express Entry in Four Steps:
Step 1: Discover Your Eligibility
Express Entry manages three Canadian Federal immigration programs, each with distinct criteria:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
You must meet the program requirement for one of the above programs before you are eligible to apply via Express Entry. More information about the three program requirements is provided below.
Step 2: Create and submit Your Express Entry Profile
Once eligible, create your Express Entry profile, providing details about your age, education, work experience, language skills, and more. Don't forget the language test and the assessment of foreign education credentials. Each Express Entry profile is valid for 1 year.
Step 3: Score and Rank
Based on your profile, you receive a score out of 1200 points through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This system considers human capital factors like skills, education, language ability, and work experience, along with other factors such as job offers and provincial nominations.
Step 4: Receive an Invitation and Apply
Regular draws invite candidates with high CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. Follow our social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest) for the latest draw results.
If invited, you have 60 days to submit a complete application online, along with supporting documents and payment of relevant fees.
Immigration Programs Under the Express Entry Umbrella
Let's delve deeper into the three Federal programs managed by Express Entry:
1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):
Eligibility:
One year of skilled work experience in the last 10 years.
Minimum language level of CLB 7.
Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, diploma, degree, or Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
Score at least 67 points on the FSWP selection factors.
Adequate financial support.
2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
Eligibility:
One year of skilled work experience in Canada in the last three years.
Minimum language level of CLB 7 or CLB 5.
Plan to live and work outside Quebec.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
Eligibility:
Two years of skilled trade work experience in the last five years.
Meet job requirements for your skilled trade.
Valid job offer or certificate of qualification.
Minimum language level of CLB 5.
Category-Based Selection Draws for Express Entry
Introduced in 2023, category-based selection draws aim to invite candidates with specific skills in high demand. Six categories include French-language proficiency, healthcare, STEM occupations, trade, transport, and agriculture. These draws complement general and program-specific draws, providing a unique chance for eligible candidates to stand out.
Category-based selection draws are a novel addition to Express Entry rounds. They target candidates with skills, training, or language proficiency in high demand in the Canadian labour market. This may change depending on Canadian labour market conditions. The six chosen categories identified by Canada are:
1. French-language proficiency:
Minimum score of 7 in all four language abilities on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (Canadian Language Benchmarks) in French.
At least six months of work experience in eligible healthcare occupations in the last three years.
At least six months of work experience in eligible STEM occupations in the last three years.
At least six months of work experience in eligible trade occupations in the last three years.
At least six months of work experience in eligible transport occupations in the last three years.
At least six months of work experience in eligible agriculture and agri-food occupations in the last three years.
To be eligible for an invitation through a category-based selection draw, candidates must meet the minimum criteria for Express Entry, including eligibility for one of the three immigration programs it covers, and meet all of the requirements in the instructions for that round.
The instructions include the date and time of the round, the number of candidates that will get an invitation to apply, the eligibility for the category, and the minimum score required.
The minimum score is usually lower for category-based selection draws than for general and program-specific draws, as there are fewer candidates in each category.
Please click on the headings for each category for a list of the occupations for each category.
Category-based selection draws are a way for the Canadian government to attract and retain skilled workers who can contribute to the economic recovery and growth of the country. Candidates who fall under one of the chosen categories can increase their chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence through Express Entry.
The CRS cut off score has been significantly lower for Category-based selection draws compared to general draws.
Table 1: Canadian immigration levels for Federal Skilled Worker, CEC and FTSP for 2024 to 2026:
Program | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) | 81,000 | 83,000 | 85,000 |
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 110,700 | 117,500 | 117,500 |
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) | 8,500 | 9,000 | 9,000 |
Express Entry offers the fastest and cheapest way to Canadian permanent residence as a skilled professional with no relations in Canada. It is a fair system since every Express Entry profile is assigned a CRS score based on clear and transparent criteria.
Express Entry does not differentiate or discriminate in terms of your nationality, ethnic background, or gender preferences.
🆘Need professional help with Express Entry?
Are you interested in participating in future Express Entry draws but would like to get some professional advice or assistance? Please complete the following questionnaire. We will revert to you within 2 business days with a 15-min complimentary zoom session if you are eligible to apply for Canada PR via Express Entry.
🌎 Stay Connected, Stay Informed
Stay tuned for our upcoming series in our 10-part Canadian immigration blogs, where we'll explore other Canadian immigration programs.
Here’s what we have covered and what you can expect in our future blogs:
Part 3: Express Entry: The Cheapest and Fastest Way to Immigrate to Canada
(You are reading this now)
Part 6: Entrepreneurial Immigration in Canada
Part 7: Investor Immigration to Canada
Part 8: Refugee Immigration to Canada
Part 9: Humanitarian & Compassionate Immigration to Canada
Part 10: How to become a Canadian Citizen
Each of these streams has its unique pathways, eligibility criteria, and requirements, offering diverse routes to your Canadian dream. Over the course of this series, we will delve into each of these programs, providing you with an overview of the programs, and practical advice to make your journey as smooth as possible.
🔔 Don't Miss Out!
To ensure you don't miss a single installment of this series, follow our blog by signing up as a site member or stay follow us on our social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Pinterest) to get the latest Canadian education and immigration related news.
Please contact us if you are keen to work with us to fulfill your Canadian dream.
Your Canadian dream is within reach, and we're here to guide you every step of the way. Stay engaged, stay informed, and together, we'll make your Canadian dream come true! 🍁