How to immigrate to Canada through the Express Entry Program
Pursuing a fulfilling and rewarding career in Canada is a common aspiration for most intending migrants. Canada has emerged as an immigration hotspot that attracts a skilled workforce from across the world to contribute to local economic growth. The most popular pathway for economic immigration is the Express Entry Program, which offers a swift and simple solution for how to immigrate to Canada.
The Express Entry Program is responsible for the majority intake of economic migrants in Canada. This pathway allows foreign skilled workers to permanently live and work anywhere in the country, by applying under one of the three categories or ‘streams’:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – For those who only have skilled work experience outside Canada.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program – For those who are qualified to practice a skilled trade in Canada.
- Canadian Experience Class – For those who have completed at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in Canada.
The eligibility requirements for each stream are different. In order to become a permanent resident and enjoy the multifarious benefits of immigration in Canada, aspirants can follow a streamlined application process for the Express Entry Program:
Step 1: Submit an online Expression of Interest (EOI) under the relevant stream. The EOI contains information regarding the candidate’s qualifications and credentials; and is valid for one year.
Step 2: Information recorded in the EOI is evaluated by the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) – which allocates point scores and corresponding ranks to candidates, based on several selection factors – including age, level of education, English language skills, work experience, skills transferability, spouse factors (if applicable), and various adaptability factors.
Step 3: Through regular invitation rounds, highest-ranking candidates who fulfil the minimum CRS score requirement – which differs with each round – are invited to apply for permanent residence (PR).
Step 4: Within 60 days of receiving an invitation, candidates must submit an online application, supporting documents, and relevant fees ($1,040 for the primary applicant) to the federal immigration authority – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Applications are typically processed within six months. After due verification, the IRCC extends a Confirmation of PR and PR Visa to successful applicants.
The immigration process is fairly demanding, detail-oriented and time-consuming. To understand the intricacies of how to immigrate to Canada and minimize the scope of error throughout the application process, candidates can seek the guidance of immigration experts, who provide consistent support at every stage.