Express Entry is an online immigration system which manages skilled workers applications for permanent residence to Canada under federal and certain provincial economic programs.
It is not an immigration program in itself, but a method for selecting the best candidates for Canada’s existing skilled worker immigration programs.
Which Programs Are Covered by Express Entry?
What Is the Express Entry Process?
Candidates submit a self-assessed profile online to the Express Entry Pool which is scored using a Comprehensive Ranking System
Are you eligible to immigrate to Canada under Express Entry?
What Are Some Advantages of Express Entry?
Points are awarded based on core factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability.
Significant points are also available for a qualified job offer and a provincial nomination.
The top-scoring candidates are issued Invitations to Apply for permanent residence via periodic immigration draws, usually every two weeks.
Once issued a coveted ITA, the candidate has 60 days to perfect their application for permanent residence under one of the programs above.
If they fail to make the 60-day deadline, the ITA becomes invalid.
The target processing time for applications received via Express Entry is six months, which is achieved 85 per cent of the time.
What Are Some Advantages of Express Entry?
- Ability to alter the program quickly and efficiently based on Canada’s economic needs.
- Better aligns Canada’s immigration intake with labour market requirements.
- Candidates can improve their scores whilst in the pool, meaning they can work towards achieving an Invitation to Apply.
- Offers a clear and realistic picture of a candidate’s Canada immigration prospects.
- Dramatically reduced processing times by prioritizing those more likely to be successful.
- Gives government flexibility on immigration through CRS changes and program-specific draws.
How Can We Help You?
Why Did Canada Launch Express Entry?
Express Entry is considered an example to the world of how to run a fluid and flexible economic immigration system.
With simple changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System, the Canadian government can use immigration to respond to economic and labour market changes.
Does Express Entry Apply to Quebec?
Express Entry does not apply to Quebec, but the French-speaking province has its own version of the system.
Quebec’s Expression of Interest operates similarly to Express Entry.
The highest-scoring candidates from an Expression of Interest Bank will be invited to apply for a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ).
