By Harinder Singh | January 26, 2024
Express Entry is the system by which the Canadian Government invites candidates who have shown interest in immigrating to Canada to apply for permanent residency. The federal system primarily engages three economic programs:
- Federal Skilled Workers (FSW): for skilled workers who have work experience in an eligible occupation and show interest in being Canadian permanent residents;
- Federal skilled traders (FST): for skilled workers who want to become permanent residents based on their qualifications in a skilled trade; and
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC): for candidates who have at least one year of Canadian work experience and meet all other eligibility criteria.
All Express Entry candidates must meet the eligibility criteria and have the minimum number of comprehensive ranking score (CRS) points to get an invitation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
HOW TO APPLY FOR EXPRESS ENTRY
Candidates must submit their profiles, including the following:
1. Language test results;
2. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) reports; and
3. Passport or equivalent travel documents.
Following submission of their online application form and profile, which should be regularly updated to reflect changes, candidates will be scored on multiple factors.
FINDING YOUR TEER CODE
To be eligible for Express Entry, candidates must determine their TEER (training, education, experience, and responsibilities) code, which is available on the National Occupation Classification Page.
GETTING YOUR EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT
The Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) determines the Canadian equivalent of a foreign degree, diploma, or certificate. IRCC will verify the validity of candidates’ foreign degrees or diplomas and decide their Canadian equivalent. Candidates who have Canadian degrees or diplomas don’t need ECAs.
FACTORS AFFECTING EXPRESS ENTRY SCORE.
Canada uses the comprehensive ranking score (CRS) to qualify candidates from the Express Entry pool. Candidates who meet the minimum cut-off receive an invitation to apply. CRS scores are compiled using a series of factors, including:
- Age;
- Level of education;
- Proficiency in French or English;
- Foreign and Canadian work experience;
- Spouse or common-law partner factors; and
- Connections to Canada.
WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPRESS ENTRY?
- The minimum educational requirement is a high school certificate;
- Moderate proficiency in English or French, with higher levels of proficiency earning more points;
- At least one year of full-time work experience in an eligible skilled occupation. If the experience has been earned abroad, candidates must submit proof;
- A language test score that satisfies the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in either English or French;
- An educational credential assessment from a recognized agency like WES (World Education Services), IQAS (International Qualifications Assessment Service), or CES (Comparative Education Service); and
- Candidates who have blood relations in Canada can earn extra points by providing documentary proof.
HOW MUCH DOES EXPRESS ENTRY COST?
- Language tests: average cost – $335;
- ECA: Average cost – $200;
- Biometrics: $85/person;
- Government fees: $1,365/adult & $230/child;
- Medical examination fees: average cost – $180/adult & $160/child;
- Police clearance certificates: average cost – $100/country.
No initial fee is required to apply to the Express Entry pool.
Funds required to move to Canada
| Number of family members | Funds required (in Canadian dollars) |
| 1 | $13,757 |
| 2 | $17,127 |
| 3 | $21,055 |
| 4 | $25,564 |
| 5 | $28,994 |
| 6 | $32,700 |
| 7 | $36,407 |
| If more than 7 people, for each additional family member | $3,706 |
TIMELINE FOR EXPRESS ENTRY
Processing time for Express Entry varies from 6 to 9 months following receipt of documentation. Each case, however, depends on the processing officer. The profile remains valid until invitations are issued, following which candidates have 60 days to submit their documents. Candidates who do not receive an invitation must resubmit their profile after the expiry date if they wish to remain active in the pool.
CONCLUSION
Filing an Express Entry profile is relatively simple. Candidates do not need an agent to file. However, the real challenge begins when candidates receive an invitation, at which point they have just two months to prepare and submit documents to IRCC. Documentation errors will increase the process timeline, so it is frequently advisable to hire an immigration consultant.
Harinder P. Singh is a marketing officer at Blue Eye Immigration, a registered immigration consultancy in Edmonton, Alberta.
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