Express Entry Will be Mandatory First Step in Federal Skilled Worker Program

Prospective immigrants to Canada seem to be quite excited about the Express Entry Program that officially begins from January 1, 2015. Express Entry will be a mandatory first step in the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).

About the Program

Reportedly, the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced that the country’s most awaited program ‘Express Entry’, also known as the ‘Expression of Interest (EOI) Program’, will come in force from the first week of January, 2015.

The scheme will work in two steps. Potential immigrants will have to express their interest in landing on the Canadian soils by providing suitable information electronically about their work experience, professional skills, along with other relevant information.

Along with Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) Express Entry will be a mandatory first step in the Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Provincial Nominee Programs. Applicants, who successfully meet the eligibility criteria, will have an expression of interest placed in a pool.

Secondly, Canada Immigration and Citizenship will invite the eligible applicants, to submit an electronic application for permanent residence. This includes both with in-demand skills and with a job offer from Canadian employer, to submit an electronic petition for Permanent Residence (PR).

For all future immigrants, to be considered under the program, you will have to apply separately using a new announced electronic application management program.

Who all are eligible to apply?

Under the scheme, everyone is welcome to submit an application. However, the final decision remains with the authorized authority. An applicant need not wait for his occupation to be mentioned on the in-demand occupation list and also not worry about the Cap limitation, as the scheme is free from both.

The program assures a speedy processing, a maximum of six months or less. Eligible applicants may be invited to come to their dream destination in any of the four key economic streams: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and a portion of the PNP.

The program is rather flexible and it aims to deal with the regional labor shortages, and fill the vacant positions for which no skilled professionals are available in the nation. The program targets to pick the best eligible applicants who show positive signs of achieving success in the Maple Leaf Country. Already, acquiring a valid job offer or provincial/territorial nomination will ensure an invitation to apply for PR, under the Express Entry program.

Express Entry–Key Objectives

I. Quality instead of quantity.

II. Eligible applicants will be fast entertained leaving behind the formula of first-come-first-basis.

III. Most eligible applicants will be considered who are likely to achieve success in the nation.

IV. The program will increase the local Job Bank.

V. The CIC would make an investment of 14 million dollars over the next two years.

VI. Eligible applicants will be processed quickly.

Under the program, the government of Canada will be more active and responsive to the country’s changing economic conditions and priorities of the labor market.