What is Express Entry?
Express Entry is an immigration program managed by the Canadian Government through which both professional and skilled workers can enter Canada as a direct Permanent Resident (PR). Becoming a PR is the quickest way to become a Citizen of Canada. You become eligible for Canadian citizenship once you live in Canada for 3 years or 1095 days. Let us understand more about Express Entry.
Classes in Express Entry
Entry program has different classes like the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Canadian Experience Class with Provincial Nominee Program being overlapped with it. More on these classes later but lets understand how Express Entry works.
How Express Entry works
Express Entry works on the concept of a two tier application system. First part being a prospective candidate filing an application in the Express Entry pool. All applications become a part of the pool and they get marked with a certain score depending upon a variety of parameters. Periodic draws are conducted where a certain cut-off score is decided and all those applications which score above the cut-off are issued Invitation to Apply (ITA). These are essentially the candidates who have been formally selected to submit detailed documentation and if they meet the scrutiny, they are subsequently issued a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) or a visa to land as a PR in Canada. Thus the most important factor for your success is the score that you can get while being a part of the Express Entry pool.
How score is calculated under Express Entry?
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses a Comprehensive Resource Calculator to assess your profile and calculate your points. The calculator uses your education, work experience, language proficiency and age as critical parameters to arrive at your score. Your success of being issued an ITA thus depends upon your ranking in the Express Entry pool. Every draw focuses on a certain number (for e.g. 5000) and if your rank falls within the top 5000 applicants, you will get an invitation to apply.
What is the eligibility to be able to put in an application to the Express Entry pool?
A minimum level of cut-off based on 6 selection points is calculated and if you score 67 points or higher, you may qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. This allows you to prepare and submit an application to the Express Entry pool.
How to be a part of the Express Entry pool?
The first step in being able to put in your application is to get your educational credentials assessed and get your language proficiency assessed. Both these steps are important as they are a critical part of your overall score. There is a prescribed process for getting your educational credentials assessed through international agencies like World Educational Society. English language proficiency requires a test score from English language assessment organizations like IELTS.
