How to Move to Canada Through Express Entry - Complete Guide

Discover how to move to Canada through the Express Entry system with this comprehensive guide. Learn about eligibility, step-by-step application process, required documents, and tips to improve your chances of getting permanent residency.

Table of Contents

What Is Express Entry?
Who Can Apply Through Express Entry?
Types of Programs Under Express Entry
Requirements for Express Entry Application
How to Move to Canada Through Express Entry
How to Create an Express Entry Profile
How Candidates Are Ranked (CRS Score Explained)
How to Improve Your CRS Score
What Happens After Receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)?
How Long Does the Express Entry Process Take?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

WHAT IS EXPRESS ENTRY?

Express Entry is an online immigration system created by the Canadian government to make it easier and faster for skilled workers from other countries to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Instead of applying through long paper-based processes, eligible individuals can submit their profiles online. The system collects information about the applicant’s age, education, language skills, work experience, and other factors, and uses this data to rank each profile. The candidates with the highest scores are then invited to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

This system is not just one program; it is a method of managing and selecting candidates for three different economic immigration programs. These include the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class. Express Entry has gained popularity because it is fast, reliable, and open to people from many parts of the world who meet the right qualifications.

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

To apply through the Express Entry system, you must meet some basic requirements. First, you need to have at least one year of continuous full-time work experience in a skilled occupation. This experience must be recent, within the past 10 years. The job you’ve done must fall under a category known in Canada as skilled work, which usually includes managerial jobs, professional roles, technical work, and skilled trades.

Second, you must prove your ability to speak, read, and understand either English or French, which are the two official languages of Canada. This is done through a government-approved language test. You will be expected to score a certain level depending on the specific program under Express Entry.

Third, if you studied outside of Canada, your educational qualifications must be assessed by an approved organization. This process, known as Educational Credential Assessment (ECA), helps the Canadian government understand how your degree or diploma compares to those earned in Canada.

Finally, you must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family members when you arrive in Canada. This requirement is waived if you already have a valid job offer in Canada or if you’re applying under the Canadian Experience Class.

The Express Entry Programs Explained

There are three major programs that are managed under the Express Entry system. Each program targets different types of workers.

Federal Skilled Worker Program: This is for applicants who have foreign work experience and meet certain criteria in terms of education, language ability, and work experience.
Federal Skilled Trades Program: This is designed for skilled trade workers such as electricians, plumbers, welders, and similar professionals. You must have a job offer or a certificate of qualification in that trade.
Canadian Experience Class: This is for people who have already gained at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada and wish to stay permanently.

How the Points System Works

After submitting your profile into the Express Entry pool, you will be given a score based on a system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This score is out of 1,200 points and is used to rank you against other candidates.

Points are awarded based on various factors such as:

Your age
Your level of education
Your language test scores (English and/or French)
Your work experience, both in and outside Canada
Whether you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer
Whether you have a nomination from a province through a Provincial Nominee Program
Whether you have a spouse, and their qualifications

Every few weeks, the Canadian government holds a draw and selects candidates with the highest scores to apply for permanent residence.

Steps to Apply Through Express Entry

Moving to Canada through Express Entry involves several important steps, which should be followed carefully to improve your chances of success.

First, check if you meet the eligibility criteria for at least one of the programs.
Take your language test (such as IELTS for English or TEF for French) and get your Educational Credential Assessment if required.
Create an online profile and submit all necessary information, including personal details, work experience, language scores, and education.
Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). This is only issued if your score is high enough.
Once you receive the ITA, submit a complete application for permanent residence within 60 days, including documents like police certificates, medical exams, proof of funds, and reference letters.
Wait for the final decision. If approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence and can start planning your move to Canada.

Documents You Will Need on How to Move to Canada Through Express Entry

To complete your Express Entry profile and full application, you will be required to submit a number of official documents. These include:

A valid passport or travel document
Results of your English or French language test
Educational Credential Assessment report
Proof of work experience (such as reference letters)
Proof of funds (such as bank statements)
Police clearance certificate from every country you’ve lived in for six months or more
Medical examination results from an approved doctor
Passport photographs and completed application forms

It is very important that all documents are clear, valid, and submitted within the correct timeline.

How Long Does the Express Entry Process Take?

One of the reasons why Express Entry is so popular is that it is much faster than most immigration processes. After submitting your final application following an invitation, most people receive a decision within six months. However, the full timeline also includes the time taken to gather documents, complete medical and police checks, and respond to any additional requests from the immigration office.

The entire process from creating a profile to receiving your permanent residence could take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year, depending on your situation.

Mistakes to Avoid on How to Move to Canada Through Express Entry

Many people miss out on opportunities because of avoidable mistakes. These include:

Entering incorrect information in the application form
Submitting expired documents
Not updating your profile when your situation changes
Choosing the wrong National Occupational Classification (NOC) code for your job
Failing to meet the required proof of funds

Taking time to review every detail carefully can prevent delays and rejections.

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Benefits of Moving to Canada Through Express Entry

There are many benefits to using the Express Entry system. First, it offers one of the fastest ways to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. Second, successful applicants receive permanent residency, which allows them to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada. Permanent residents also have access to public health care, social benefits, and the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting certain requirements.

Another major benefit is that there is no requirement for a job offer to qualify. While having a job offer increases your score, many people receive invitations without one. This makes the process more open to people with strong qualifications, even if they don’t yet have an employer in Canada.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on How to Move to Canada Through Express Entry

1. What is the Express Entry system in Canada?
The Express Entry system is an online immigration application process used by the Canadian government to manage and select skilled foreign workers for permanent residency based on factors like work experience, language ability, education, and age.

2. Is Express Entry a visa?
No, Express Entry is not a visa. It is a method of selecting skilled immigrants who meet specific requirements to apply for permanent residence in Canada.

3. Who is eligible to apply for Express Entry?
Eligibility is based on having at least one year of skilled work experience, a good score in English or French language tests, an educational qualification assessed to be equal to a Canadian standard, and proof of funds to settle in Canada.

4. How long does the Express Entry process take?
Once invited to apply and after submitting all the necessary documents, the Express Entry process usually takes around six months to complete.

5. Do I need a job offer to apply for Express Entry?
No, a job offer is not required to enter the Express Entry pool. However, having a job offer can increase your score and improve your chances of being selected.

6. What are the main programs under Express Entry?
The three major programs are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class.

7. How are applicants ranked in Express Entry?
Applicants are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), which awards points for age, education, language skills, work experience, and other factors.

8. Can I include my family members in my Express Entry application?
Yes, you can include your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children in your application for permanent residence.

9. Is there an age limit for Express Entry?
There is no official age limit, but applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 receive the highest CRS points for age.

10. Can Express Entry lead to Canadian citizenship?
Yes, after receiving permanent residence through Express Entry and living in Canada for at least three years (out of five), you can apply for Canadian citizenship.