Canada Immigration Express Entry Program

In this article, we will be talking about the Express Entry Canada Program. This program is an initiative of the Government of Canada and Immigration to help people apply for a visa according to their specific abilities.The program was created to attract qualified workers to the country so that they can join the workforce.

We will explain everything you need to know about immigration express entry program and how you can apply to enter this program.

Express Entry Canada Program

By visiting the website of the Government of Canada, you can request to join the program of rapid entry. This is requested online and is aimed at people with unique abilities and who have an education and full employment history.

Depending on the labor needs that exist in the country at the time of applying to enter the program, you can obtain specific points that will help you at the end. Those profiles that gain the most points are those that are invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada. Once the permanent residence is approved, you can move immediately to the country. It will allow you to enjoy the privileges that legal residents have.

Different Express Entry Canada Programs

There are various programs that you can enter depending on your skills. The Government of Canada noted that there are some areas of work that the Canadian has not managed to occupy, so they have inserted foreign labor force to develop the Canadian economy.

The programs to which you can apply, depending on your abilities are:

• Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)

• Federal Specialized Trades Program (FSTP)

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

These programs vary depending on the requirements to qualify. Main differences between them include language skills, qualified occupation, and work experience.

Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)

This program is designed for all those skilled workers who have experience working abroad. Requirements include:

  •  High level of English or French
  • Occupation in positions such as administration, technical works or trades
  • One-year work experience in the specific occupation in the last 10 years

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

This program is aimed at skilled workers in particular trades, who have experience working abroad. Requirements include:

  • Level 5 or 4 of English or French
  • Occupation between the different applicable technical works
  • University or apprenticeship diploma
  • 2 years of work experience in the last 5 years

Those who have applied to enter the program must have a valid job offer from a Canadian company.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

The program is designed for those skilled workers who have experience in the Canadian labor field. Requirements include:

  • Level 5 or 7 of English or French
  • Occupation in administration, professional or technical jobs
  • 1 year of work experience in Canada in the last 3 years

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Finally, this program is designed specifically for the provinces of Canada, and those who apply must meet the labor needs of these areas. For this, you have to live and work in the province that nominated and sponsored you. This program is administered by the provinces, and only the Express Entry portal is used to receive profiles on the website.

Requirements of the Canada Express Entry Program

If you have decided to immigrate and Canada seems the right country to do so, then the Express Entry Canada Program may be your best choice. However, you must meet specific eligibility criteria to apply and enter the program.

The Government of Canada website lets you know if you are eligible for some of these programs. You only have to enter the site by clicking here and then go to the “Verify your eligibility” button in which you will have to fill out a questionnaire.

Within this questionnaire, you will have to answer with sincerity questions referring to:

• Nationality

• Years

• Language skills

• Level of education

• Members of the family

• Job offers in Canada

The answers to these questions will help the system calculate how many posts you have to place yourself in one of the categories offered by the program. Each program has a specific number of points that you must meet to apply. For example, in the case of the Federal Program for Skilled Workers, you need a minimum of 67 points.

After completing the questionnaire, the website will generate a code number which you can use to create your profile. In the case of applying for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), you must also comply with additional requirements such as living in the province.

However, you must contact the responsible authorities to apply for this program since each province has different requirements and have a score that varies depending on the area.

How to apply for the Canada Express Entry Program?

Everything will depend on the program you want to apply for, so read on to find out. The first three processes mentioned above are almost the same requirements, while for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), requirements are entirely different.

In the case of:

• Federal Skilled Workers

• Federal Skilled Trades

• or Canadian Experience Class Programs

You can apply through these steps:

1.    Get your supporting documents:

You need a list of supporting documents to be able to apply for any of these programs. The documents are:

  • A valid passport
  • Language test results (English or French) with a least 2 years of validation
  • Education Credential Assessment Report (for the Federal Skilled Workers and Experience Class)
  • Job offer letter from an employer in Canada in case you have one or if you need one
  • Police certificates to prove you have a clean criminal record 
  • Medical examination
  • Proof that you have enough funds to cover your stay in Canada if you are invited to apply

After you get all your documents in order, it is time to submit your profile

2. Go to the Government of Canada website

The only way to apply for one of these programs is through the official site of the Government of Canada, so they can evaluate the profiles of applicants and to determine whether or not they are eligible.

You must open an account on the website, enter the code that you obtained when you completed the eligibility questionnaire, and then you must answer all the questions that are in the profile.

  • Age
  • Nationality
  • Education
  • Work experience

After this, present the documents that were requested. You do not have to send the profile the same day since you will have 60 days to send it. If you do not send it within this time, you will lose the opportunity to send it, and you will have to start  everything again.

3. Wait for the results

After you send everything, you must wait for the Government to review your request. Each year a group is selected, in general, they are the most qualified. And this process usually takes about 6 months or more. But, in the process, you can update your profile and improve your score.

There is another way to apply for the program, and it is through an invitation. Those people who have more points, the Government of Canada may invite them to submit an application. 

If for any reason you reject the invitation, and then you want to apply for these programs, you must do the process again and wait to be read.

I want to apply for permanent residence

When you are applying for one of these programs, the Government of Canada will send you the forms you need for permanent residency. After you have completed them, you should send them with the supporting documents that verify that you are telling the truth.

Also, you must pay the fees of the program for which you are applying. You have 60 days to complete this step. Once the residence is approved, the Government will notify you that you can move immediately to the country. But if the application is rejected, they usually report the reasons for you to correct the documents and apply again.