Canada Express Entry: How to Apply for Canada Immigration

Express Entry is the fastest and most popular pathway to permanent residence for immigrants seeking a new life in Canada. Around 110,000 skilled workers are welcomed through the Canada Express Entry system annually.

Canada Express Entry: How to Apply for Canada Immigration

Canada is a great place to live and work if you are a professional, want to study, or want to immigrate with family. There are numerous job opportunities in the country and various study opportunities. However, to get into Canada you need a permanent resident visa or a temporary resident visa as the case may be. There are several ways to get one. One of them is through the Express Entry immigration program. For this, you will have to fulfill the mandatory requirements of the system and also score high enough on the Comprehensive Ranking Test (CRS).

Canada is one of the world’s most welcoming countries for immigrants. In order to make room for more newcomers, the country has implemented a system known as Express Entry. This system grants selected applicants with a guaranteed opportunity to immigrate to Canada if they meet specific criteria and fulfill particular requirements. If you have the right qualities, this system could be a great way to immigrate to Canada. However, it can also be intimidating and tricky if you don’t know where to start or what to do to apply successfully. Read on to learn more about this unique immigration program.

What is Canada Immigration?

Canada is an amazing country to live and work in. The cities, culture, and diversity of the country is unlike any other in the world. The country offers great career opportunities, great weather, amazing recreational activities, and a high standard of living. Canada is a developed nation and a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The country has a diverse economy and a large service sector that contributes significantly to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The primary source of immigrants to Canada is the government. Canada is a country of immigration and, like the United States, it has a long history of attracting people from around the world to join its citizens and make new lives here. Canada’s approach to immigration is based on the principles of multiculturalism and inclusivity.

With the purpose of attracting skilled professionals, Canada has a comprehensive ranking system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). This system ranks applicants based on a set of criteria and then gives them a rank. Those who are ranked first are eligible to receive invitations under Express Entry.

What is Express Entry?

Canada Express Entry is a system where the government of Canada uses a computerized system to rank candidates that can be invited to apply for permanent residency. The system manages three main federal economic programs:

Canada is all about merit. To immigrate to the country, you must fulfill certain requirements and the main requirement is the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS ranks applicants based on their eligibility, education level, skills, work experience, language ability, and other factors. The system then gives out two types of residence permits for immigrants to Canada: Federal Skilled Workers (FW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) programs.

The CRS is mandatory for all applications for Canadian immigration. The CRS was introduced in 2013, to replace the Skilled Workers (SW) category of Canadian immigration. Since the SW is no longer being used, the CRS is the main way to enter Canada as a skilled worker. If you don’t fit the requirements of the CRS, you can still apply for Canadian immigration through the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Canada Immigration: Should you apply for it?

A Canadian immigration system is a good option for those who are looking to immigrate to the country. The country is known for being a great place to live, work and invest. It has a strong economy, great healthcare system, a high standard of living, great weather, and diverse cultures. The system is very flexible and you can apply for permanent residency through it. If you are a skilled professional, then this option is the best for you. You can also apply for permanent residency to join your family. There are various other advantages of immigrating to Canada such as a great social infrastructure, cultural festivals, beautiful landscapes, and much more. So, it is your choice to decide if you want to apply for it.

The CRS system also evaluates your skills and they decide if you get a permanent or temporary visa. So if you really want to move to Canada, then you should definitely apply. However, the country has strict immigration policies. For this, it is important that you fulfill the mandatory requirements of the system and also score high enough on the CRS. If you don’t know how to get into Canada, then keep reading. You will learn how to get a visa for the country and get into Canada through the Express Entry system.

Check if you qualify for the Express Entry system

Before you apply for the Canadian immigration system, you must check if you qualify for it. The Canadian government uses a computerized system to invite the candidates under the Express Entry system. This system takes into consideration a variety of factors and ranks them. The candidates who are ranked first are invited to apply for permanent residency. So, to know if you are invited under the system, you must search for your CRS score on the Federal Government of Canada’s website. If you have a high score, then you can be sure that you will be invited to apply under the Express Entry system.

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting into Canada Through Express Entry

Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to submit your Express Entry profile and obtain a permanent residence visa to immigrate to Canada:

  • Find out if you are eligible for Express Entry.
  • Complete your language testing and obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
  • Submit your profile on the website of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
  • Wait to see if you receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence from IRCC.
  • Submit your completed Application for Permanent Residence (APR) to IRCC and pay your fees within the specified deadline. You need to include your medical exam and police certificates as part of this step. IRCC will then provide you with an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR).
  • Submit your biometrics once IRCC asks you to do so.
  • Wait for IRCC to make a final decision on your APR. IRCC aims to finalize applications in 6 months or less. Once your application is approved you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if you are from a country that requires a visa) so you can travel to Canada and complete your landing.

How Long Does Express Entry Process Take?

Express Entry can take as little as six months to process, from submission of the Express Entry profile to the issuance of a permanent resident visa. However, not all cases will proceed this quickly. Your Express Entry profile will remain active in the pool of candidates for 12 months if you do not receive an invitation to apply. If after 12 months you have not received an invitation, you are welcome to resubmit your profile and remain in the pool. 

Bottom line

There are multiple immigration options in Canada and you must search online to know which one is best for you. The Express Entry system is a great system and if you are invited to apply under it, then you can get a permanent residency visa in Canada. Now that you know the immigration system and how to get into Canada through it, you can relax and wait for the invitation to come in. Furthermore, you can visit the official website of the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship authorities using the link below for more detailed information.