Express Entry Visa – How to Move to Canada Series
The Express Entry visa is an attempt by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) to process immigration applications quickly for qualified skilled applicants. When you apply under the Express Entry program, you enter a pool of candidates. Each applicant receives some points based on the CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System). IRCC picks those who get the most number of points and processes their applications in as low as six months.
Express Entry targets the following groups:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: Those who are highly educated, proficient in English or French, have a few years of work experience and meet other criteria.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: Plumbers, welders, and other skilled trades professionals
- Canadian Experience Class Program: Those who have worked in Canada under certain conditions
The CRS is a 1200 point system that covers the following factors.
- Age
- Level of education
- English and French languages proficiency
- Canadian work experience
- Spouse qualifications (if applicable)
- Skill transferability
- Work experience
- Arranged employment or nomination by a Canadian province
The first seven factors could generate up to 600 points, and the last factor alone has up to 600 points. People who get nomination by a Canadian province normally have a guaranteed chance of selection (assuming they meet the basic criteria and are not inadmissible to Canada). They receive 600 extra points on top of the personal points. People with valid job offer receive either 50 or 200 points, depending on the type of job offer they receive.
To verify knowledge of official languages, the candidates need to take acceptable language tests (IELTS General or CELPIP General for the English language and TEF for the French language).
A verified organization must evaluate the candidates’ level of education (e.g. WES or ICAS).
If you wish to visit or move to Canada or if you have encountered any issues with the immigration authorities, you may fill out our free assessment form or book a consultation session to assess your potential opportunities or offer you immigration, visa, or citizenship advice.
Al Parsai, MA, DTM, RCIC
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
Disclaimer:
This article provides information of a general nature only. It may no longer be current. It does not give legal advice nor should you rely on it as legal advice. If you have specific legal questions, you should consult a lawyer. If you are looking for immigration advice, book an appointment. All the characters in the articles are fictional, unless otherwise clearly stated. Any resemblance in names, dates, and places (whether individuals, organizations, regions, or countries) is coincidental.
If you are interested in visiting or immigrating to Canada, please complete our free assessment form.
There is no fee for this assessment. We will review your information and contact you if we identify a suitable immigration pathway or other meaningful option for you.
If you would prefer direct advice about your specific situation, you may book a consultation session. This is a paid service and includes formal immigration advice from a licensed Canadian immigration practitioner.
Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
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