Immigration Lawyer
Permanent Residence: Express Entry
Immigration Lawyer
Express Entry
Express Entry is a simplified pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada. It is a reliable and efficient system that requires candidates to have substantial experience and qualifications to contribute to Canada’s economy. Potential applicants can submit their profiles to the online Express Entry system, where they are allocatedpoints based on various selection criteria. The highest-ranked applicants receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency in Canada.
What are the programs available under Express Entry?
The eligibility for Permanent Residency (PR) in Canada is determined by the specific selection criteria of the immigration category under which the application is submitted. For detailed information, please refer to the following pages:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Provincial nominee programs
Please Note: Provinces in Canada also select candidates from the same Express entry pool if the selected applicant receives 600 points.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Express Entry in Canada, applicants must meet the criteria’s mentioned below:
1. Language Proficiency
- Applicants must take an approved language test in English or French, scoring the minimum required marks.
- For Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 is required in writing, reading, speaking, and listening.
- For Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP), the minimum scores are CLB 5 for listening and speaking and CLB 4 for reading and writing.
- For Canadian Experience Class applicants, the required CLB level depends on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) category. For TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) 0 or 1, it is CLB 7, and for TEER 2 or 3, it is CLB 5.
2. Work experience and education
- Applicants must have skilled work experience in one of the categories listed under National Occupation Classification (NOC) TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Therequired experience variesby program. For more information, you can visit IRCC website.
- It is compulsory to have a Canadian secondary or post-secondary certificate, degree, or diploma for education. If you completed your education from outside of Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is needed to verify that the foreign education is equivalent to Canadian standards.
3. Security and Medical Clearance
- Police certification: It is a must to provide a police certificate to prove no criminal record in any country where the applicant has lived for six months or more.
- Medical Certificate: A medical examination report is necessary to ensure that the applicant will not place excessive demand on the Canadian healthcare system.
4. Proof of Funds
Exemptions to Proof of Funds
Not all applicants need to show proof of funds. Here are notable exemptions:- Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Applicants: Those applying through the CEC do not need to provide proof of funds.
- Applicants with a Valid Job Offer: If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you are exempt from showing proof of funds.
Application Processing Time
Understanding the timeline for application processing is vital:- Invitation to Apply (ITA): The processing time for your application only begins if you receive an ITA and submit a complete application.
- Profile Expiry: If you do not receive an ITA, your profile will remain in the Express Entry pool for 12 months. If not selected during this period, the profile will expire, requiring re-submission for future consideration.
How can you apply?
Application procedure for the express entry program involves detailed steps:
- First, determine eligibility for any of the express entry programs, the FSTP, FSWP, or CEC.
- Gather all the necessary documents needed for the application.
- Create an Express Entry profile, submitting all relevant information and documents. You can find the instructions for creating an Express Entry Profile on the government website.
- Candidates with highest scores in their Express Entry profile receive an Invitation to Apply for permanent residency.
- Once an ITA is received, the complete application with all supporting documents must be submitted within 60 days.
How can our immigration lawyers help you?
The application process under the Express Entry system can be complicated and overwhelming. It can get difficult to understand the scoring system, eligibility criteria, and gather all the necessary documents for a successful application. At Nanda & Associate Lawyers, we are dedicated to ensuring, your Express Entry application proceeds smoothly. Our experienced Immigration Lawyers are here to guide you thoroughly through every step of the process. To increase your chances of qualifying through the express entry program, contact us at 905-405-0199 now!
Frequently Asked Questions
It generally takes around 6 months or less to process an Express Entry application. This also depends on which date the application was submitted and which program you have applied for.The duration to process the application includes the time IRCC takes to review all documents and make the final decision.
No, a job offer is not required to apply for Express Entry program. However, if you have a valid job offer, it can increase your CRS score, which will be highlighted in the Express Entry profile. This can improve your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
Express Entry points are calculated using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) based on several factors. It includes core capital factors, work experience and education, and factors involving spouses or common law. The maximum score is 1200 points,and applicants with higher scores are more likely to receive an ITA for permanent residency.
Yes, you can apply for Express Entry when in Canada. The system is designed for skilled workers both in Canada and abroad to apply for PR. If you meet the requirements under any of the programs such as FSWP, FSTP, or CEC, you can create your Express Entry profile.
To demonstrate proof of settlement funds for Express Entry, you must provide the following financial documents:
- Bank Statements: Submit bank statements from the past 3 to 6 months, showing transaction history and consistent account activity.
- Letter from Financial Institution: Provide a letter from your bank or financial institution that includes your account details, such as account number, account holder’s name, current balance, and average balance over the past six months.
- Sufficient Funds: Ensure that you have sufficient unencumbered funds available to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada. These funds must not be borrowed and must be readily transferable.
The amount required depends on the size of your family. For example:
- Single Applicant: At least $14,690 CAD.
- Family of Four: At least $27,297 CAD.
The funds must be available upon your arrival in Canada and meet the minimum requirements set by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
