How to immigrate through Express Entry
Express Entry is a system that manages applications for three Canadian immigration programmes: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. In other words, you must be qualified for at least one of these programmes in order to be considered for Express Entry.
Once you’ve been accepted into the pool, you’ll be assigned a score using the IRCC’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS considers your job experience in a skilled occupation, your academic background, your ability to communicate in an official language, your age, and other economic considerations. The more CRS points you have, the more likely you are to obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.
Candidates in the pool of Express Entry candidates may be invited to apply for a provincial nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). You will be granted 600 CRS points if you accept the invitation and are nominated. This incentive almost guarantees that you will obtain an ITA in the next Express Entry draw.
The ITA is required in order to apply for Canadian immigration via Express Entry. The normal response time for IRCC is six months after they receive your response to the ITA. However, the epidemic has slowed overall processing times. The current wait times may be seen on the IRCC’s website.
What is the Comprehensive Ranking System?
Anyone considering applying for permanent residence in Canada through the Express Entry programme will eventually come across the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). When Canada implemented Express Entry in 2015, it began utilising the CRS.
The CRS is a comprehensive, evidence-based method for identifying immigrants with the highest likelihood of succeeding in the Canadian labour market. Express Entry applicants are given points based on core human capital criteria such as age, education, language skills, and work experience. Following that, candidates are ranked against one another based on their CRS scores.
How does it works?
CRS scores are determined by a number of factors and can reach as high as 1200 points. The higher your score, the better your chances of receiving an invitation to apply (ITA).
After you receive your CRS score
The next step is to wait for IRCC’s Express Entry drawings, which occur every two weeks on average. The minimum CRS score for the draw will be determined by IRCC, and candidates with this score or higher are likely to receive an ITA. You have 60 days from the date you receive your ITA to submit all supporting documentation for your permanent residency application. When all-program drawings resume in July, IRCC hopes to go back to its pre-pandemic service level of processing Express Entry permanent residence applications within six months.
How can I improve my CRS score?
Concentrate on the factors under your control. You cannot change your age, but after you reach the age of 30, you start to lose points for your age. For this reason, you may decide that it is preferable to apply to the Express Entry pool as soon as possible to get the most age points.
One factor you may want to improve is your language test score, as this is the human capital factor that can gain you the most CRS points. Express Entry applicants frequently retake language exams until they receive the CLB score they are satisfied with.
If you are not eligible for Express Entry or want to improve your CRS score, you may be able to come to Canada on a temporary work permit or as a student. Having job and school experience in Canada is advantageous for the CRS.
What if my CRS score is low?
A poor CRS score should not be the end of your Canadian immigration process. Even after passing your language exams and submitting your ECA, you should still apply for Express Entry. You have nothing to lose by trying out an Express Entry application as they are free. You have a possibility of receiving an ITA if you participate in the pool. For example, a province may decide to invite you to apply to its PNP, which would essentially secure you an ITA for permanent residency.
It is always possible to increase other human capital scores. For instance, there is no restriction on how often you may submit your language test results.
The highest score in your profile will always be used by IRCC. Express Entry profiles can be updated as frequently as needed.
Keep in mind that CRS score cut-offs are subject to frequent adjustment to reflect changing economic and political objectives in Canada. You are free to seek alternative routes to Canadian permanent residency at the same time. Candidates may apply to both the Express Entry pool and other federal and provincial immigration programmes without being disqualified by IRCC.