Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) developed the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) through evidence-based research. The system relies on objective criteria, known to contribute to an immigrant’s economic success in Canada.
Express Entry candidates will typically score Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points based on their:
- Human capital
- Human capital and a qualifying offer of arranged employment or,
- Human capital and a provincial or territorial nomination
Express Entry Draws and the Invitation to Apply
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) regularly conducts draws. Thereafter, it invites the highest ranked Express Entry candidates to apply for permanent residence.
The authorities typically conduct Express Entry draws at a frequency and in numbers that tend to align with Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC’s):
- Processing capacity and,
- Annual level targets
These Express Entry draws could be:
- General and could include all programs i.e. the authorities draw top ranked candidates regardless of their immigration programs or,
- Program specific wherein the authorities pick the top ranked Canadian Experience Class (CEC) candidates only
Thereafter, the authorities will issue an Invitation to Apply (ITA) [refer to Appendix D] to the selected candidates. Candidates typically have 60 calendar days for submitting a complete online application for permanent residence via their MyCIC account. This 60-day timeframe commences from the date of issuance of the Invitation to Apply (ITA).
The application for permanent residence is a dynamic form. It questions the applicant based on the applicant’s profile. Therefore, the system will prompt the applicant with questions concerning the applicant’s spouse only when the applicant declares a spouse in the system.
It is worth noting that just because a candidate is in the Express Entry pool, it does not necessarily mean that the authorities will issue the candidate an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Similarly, merely having an Invitation to Apply (ITA) does not guarantee that an applicant will receive a positive decision concerning the application for permanent residence.
The Requirement to be Truthful and Provide Evidence
As mentioned earlier, applicants would need to submit their applications via their MyCIC accounts. In addition, they would also need to provide the relevant proof of the claims made in their Express Entry profile. The authorities typically use these pieces of information for extending invitations to the appropriate candidates. In case applicants fail to provide the relevant proofs, the authorities will refuse the applications.
In addition, certain applicants could even face a five-year ban from submitting any further immigration applications to Canada. This ban could even include temporary residence applications. However, the authorities would only ban applicants who:
- Misrepresent their qualifications in their Express Entry profile and / or,
- Misrepresent their qualifications in their application
Applicants, who apply through Express Entry, would remain subject to the various standard admissibility requirements. These typically include health checks, security checks etc.
The Employer Liaison Network (ELN)
The Employer Liaison Network (ELN) is a network of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officers located in regional offices across Canada. These officers provide Canadian employers with useful and updated information on matters such as:
- Permanent economic immigration programs related to Express Entry and,
- Various policies related to Express Entry
The goal of the Employer Liaison Network (ELN) is to:
- Increase employer awareness of the Express Entry system
- Increase employer use of the Express Entry system and,
- Facilitate linkages between Canadian employers and skilled labour overseas
The Employer Liaison Network (ELN) remains focused on permanent resident streams as opposed to temporary resident streams. In addition, it does not address case-specific enquiries. Similarly, it does not deal with issues concerning work permits either.
