Express Entry

The Express Entry is a revolutionary front end system created in January 2015 and meant to increase the efficiency of the immigration inventory management. To apply for an express entry immigrant, you need to belong to one of the following immigration categories: 

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• Portion of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

A two-step immigration process:

1) Fill in an online profile regarding you or your spouse (if married). The submitted information regards the next fields:

• Education
• Work Experience
• Language Ability
• Arranged Employment
• Age
• Adaptability

Each of these fields allow you to earn a certain number of points, with a maximum of 100. To qualify for the next stage of the selection process, you need a minimum of 67 points.  

If you are found to meet the criteria, your application will be transferred to a pool of candidates and will be ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). One of the requirements at this stage is to have a job or a Provincial Nomination. Please be aware that you are still eligible if you don’t have a job at this stage, but you need to register with the Government of Canada’s job bank which will help in securing you a job. 

Calculating your score is a complex operation that involves considering legal aspects that can change from year to year. One needs to be updated on all aspects of the Canadian immigration law when applying as a minor mistake can compromise the entire application. To avoid such outcomes, look for legal support and help to calculate your score. 

2) If your score allowed you to go to the next stage, you have 60 days to perfect your application. Upon submission of the perfected version, it takes 6 months to receive your Permanent Resident Visa.

Federal Skilled Trades

An invitation to apply for the Federal Skilled Trades Category under the Express Entry system, Citizenship and Immigration Canada requires submitting information about the following criteria:

Fill in an online profile about you or your spouse (if married) and include:

• A proof that the candidate meets the required levels in English or French for each language ability (speaking, reading, writing and listening).
• A tracked history of minimum two years full-time employment (or an equal amount of part-time work experience) in a skilled trade within the five years before submitting their immigration application.
• Abilities to meet the job requirements for that skilled trade as set out in the National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• A proof that the candidate has an offer of full-time employment for a total period of at least one year or a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial or territorial authority.

The Canadian Experience Class

This program is meant to help foreign students and Temporary Foreign Workers become Permanent Residents of Canada. It facilitates the transition from Temporary Residence to Permanent Residence for those entitled to become permanent residents (people who have completed a program of study or have worked in Canada by a student or work permit). Criteria to meet in order to qualify for this program:

The Criteria

Minimum one year of  full-time (or an equivalent amount in part time) skilled work experience in Canada within the last 3 years before applying.

Applicant must have acquired the experience in Canada with the proper authorization.

Meeting the expected levels for each language ability required (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).

The application must not be one of the exempted occupations as determined by CIC from time to time. Please be aware that there are occupations that don’t allow you to automatically qualify under this category. For more information with regards to this, get in touch with us. 

**Please note that calculating full time employment or its equivalent is not a straight forward process and requires in-depth knowledge of Canadian work regulations and employment law. 

Admissibility 

After earning the 67 points on the initial assessment, one needs to: 

Equivalate your university degree if it comes from a non-Canadian institution and include the result of the ECA evaluation, together with your work experience, in your application.

Settlement Funds:

You need to prove that you have enough financial funds to immigrate to Canada, except for the situation where you have been offered a job in Canada prior to your arrival.

Medical Inadmissibility

Anyone wishing to immigrate under this category has to undergo a medical examination before coming to Canada. Please note that the medical examination has to be performed by a designated medical practitioner and the results are valid for 12 months only. 

Criminal / Security Inadmissibility

If you are over 18, you need to support your application with a Police Clearance from all the countries and the states where you resided for longer than 6 months and showing a clean criminal record. Please bare in mind that a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from becoming a Canadian resident – under the present law, you can apply for rehabilitation. Get in touch to find out if you qualify for rehabilitation and get help with your application.