With effect from January 1st, 2015, the Canadian government introduced a new process for selecting skilled professionals and tradespersons wishing to immigrate to Canada and live and work as permanent residents. This new process, called Express Entry, has created a lot of excitement and new opportunities for skilled professionals.
Our team highly appreciates this new process as it will open doors for immigration to Canada for interested candidates like never before.
HIGHLIGHTS OF EXPRESS ENTRY:
The selection process has changed, but not the selection criteria. Currently, applicants can only apply for immigration to Canada after receiving an invitation to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Qualified candidates will receive an invitation to enter the Express Entry Pool. Their application will remain in the pool for one year, after which it will be removed. Candidates who are still interested will need to re-enter the pool.
The Canada Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) has introduced a points-based system. It will be beneficial for both spouses to provide their IELTS and WES report summaries. The online Express Entry form will require applicants to provide necessary information about their qualifications, experience, occupation, and language skills.
Applicants with higher rankings will be selected, and the instructions for selecting candidates from the Express Entry pool will be posted on the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
It is expected that there will be a limited number of candidates with confirmed job offers. Therefore, the chances of Express Entry applications filed in the pool without a job offer are likely to be significantly higher.
Once you file your application under the Express Entry Pool, your chances of receiving a provincial nomination will increase. Even as a provincial nominee, you will receive additional points under the CRS, further increasing your chances of being selected from the pool.
Candidates chosen from the Express Entry Pool must also ensure that they meet the federal points-based selection criteria and its requirements.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada has indicated that permanent residence applications of candidates selected from the pool will be processed within six months of being submitted for the federal stage. Additionally, the federal stage will be an online application process unless the candidate has a physical disability.”