Are You Eligible for Express Entry?

The Government of Canada uses the Express Entry program to manage immigration applications from skilled workers. The online system allows the Canadian government to manage permanent resident applications for filling labour gaps while also giving newcomers to Canada a straightforward way to enter and stay in the country.

If you are interested in the Express Entry program, read on to find out how it works and what you’ll need to do.

How Express Entry Works

Newcomers can apply to one of three different immigration programs through Express Entry:

Canadian Experience Class: skilled workers with work experience in Canada, gained in the last three years should apply through this stream.

Federal Skilled Worker Program: skilled workers with foreign work experience, and who meet further education requirements and criteria, should apply through this stream.

Federal Skilled Trades Program: skilled workers who are qualified in a skilled trade and have a valid job offer or a certificate of qualification should apply through this stream.

If eligible through any of the above streams, newcomers can also apply through Provincial Nominee Program. Those nominated through the Provincial Nominee Program receive extra points and can be invited to apply quickly. To learn more about the points system, read the next section:

5 Steps to Express Entry

If newcomers want to come to Canada as a skilled worker, follow these 5 steps.

Step 1: Find Out If You’re Eligible: review the above streams to find out which stream you are eligible for and answer a few questions to see if you are eligible to apply with this eligibility tool.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents: collect relevant documents to show your eligibility, including: language test results, passports, proof of Canadian education or educational credential assessment report, provincial nomination (if you have one), written job offer (if you have one), proof of funds.

Step 3: Fill Out Your Profile: by filling out the profile you provide the Canadian government with information about yourself; these eligibility questions should take you about 15 minutes.

Step 4: Check Your Score: after you submit your profile, you’ll be ranked in the Express Entry pool through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). To be invited to apply, you must have a score above the minimum points score for your round of invitations.

Step 5: Get Invited and Apply: candidates with the highest scores will receive invitations to apply. If you’re invited to apply, you’ll have 60 days to submit your application. Complete applications with all supporting documents will be processed in 6 months or less.