Express Entry in Canada – Eligibility, Documents, and 7 Steps
Every day people want to migrate from their home country to Canada because it has a system that works, ranging from medicine to education and life. To gain express entry and residence as a worker, you need to apply. The pool of candidates writes an entrance exam and the government selects the highest-scoring candidates, inviting them to make payments for residency. This process takes about six months.
Factors for Express Entry Qualification
To be eligible for Express Entry in Canada, there are requirements to be met for all the programs and provide documents to support your profile. Some of the factors considered as a requirement for Express Entry Immigration to Canada are:
- Nationality/ Country of origin
- Age of applicant
- Language skills (English and French)
- Work experience
- Education
- Family members
- Presence of Job offers in Canada
See our CRS estimator tool to learn more about these factors and how they affect the candidate’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is used to rank Express Entry candidates.
Documents required for Express Entry Application
- Valid international passport and other travel documents;
- Language test results (English or/and French);
- Education Certificate Assessment Report.
- Job offer letter from an employer in Canada (optional);
- Police character certificate – to prove no criminal record;
- Medical examination report from an authorized IRCC physician;
- Proof of sufficient funds to facilitate your travel and cover your stay in Canada when you are invited to apply.
Types of Canada Immigration Express Entry Programs
There are four main types of programs under the Express Entry provincial nominee program:
1. Canadian Experience Class – The CEC is for people with experience working in Canada. To be eligible, you must have at least one year of full-time work experience (or an equivalent combination of part-time work) with the language requirements.
2. Provincial Nominee Program – The PNP is for people in a province or territory nominated. Each province has eligibility requirements, so you must check with the province you are interested in.
3. Federal Skilled Trades Program – The FSTP is for people with experience in specific skilled trades. To be eligible, you must have two years of full-time work experience (or an equivalent combination of part-time work) with the language requirements.
4. Federal Skilled Worker Program – The FSWP is for people with experience in certain skilled occupations. To be eligible, you must have at least one year of work experience in a qualifying occupation and meet the language requirements.
Steps to apply for Express Entry in Canada
1. Find your National Occupation Classification (NOC): The first step is to determine which NOC category the job you’re applying for falls into. The NOC is a list of all the occupations in Canada, and each one is given a code. You can use the NOC tool to find your occupation and see the corresponding code.
2. Check if you need a credential assessment: The next step is to see if you need to have your educational credentials assessed. This is not required for all occupations, but it is for some. You can use the Foreign Credentials Referral Office website to determine if you need an assessment and how to get one.
3. Take a language test: You will need to take a language test to prove that you can speak English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level seven or higher in all four categories: reading, writing, listening and speaking. If your first official language is French, you do not need to take an English test, but you will still need to take a French test to prove your language skills.
4. Estimate your CRS score: The next step in applying for Express Entry in Canada is estimating your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. The CRS is used to rank Express Entry candidates; however, the total score is 1200 points. The CRS will consider your age, language skills, education, and work experience when awarding you points.
5. Check your eligibility: The next step is to check if you meet all the Express Entry requirements. Then, you can use the Express Entry Eligibility Tool to see if you are eligible. We have provided all eligibility criteria and requirements for you above.
6. Create your Express Entry profile: The next step is to create your Express Entry profile. You must provide information about yourself, your skills, work experience, language abilities, and education. You will also need to create an account with Job Bank (if you do not already have one) and provide the login information in your Express Entry profile. In addition, you will use Job Bank to look for jobs in Canada and be matched with Canadian employers.
7. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): The final step of the Express Entry program is to receive an ITA from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). If you are ranked high enough in the Express Entry pool, you will receive an ITA. You will then have 60 days to submit a complete online application for permanent residence. If you are invited, you will need to provide additional documents, such as your passport, police certificates, and proof of funds.
Finally, The Express Entry system is a great way for skilled workers to immigrate to Canada. If you meet the eligibility requirements with enough score points, you can apply for Express Entry if qualified and invited for an ITA. Once you have your ITA, you must submit a complete online application for permanent residence. If your application is approved, you will be on your way to living and working in Canada as a permanent resident.