Canada Express Entry Visa
People often wonder about how to get Canada Express Entry Visa. Let’s dive into the history to know more about Canada Express Entry Visa. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched a new electronic system called Express Entry in January 2015, to manage permanent residency applications under the federal immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The Express Entry system was introduced to advance the visa selection process for permanent residency and accelerate the process of obtaining a PR Visa to as little as 6 months. Applying for Canada PR Visa has become comparatively easy since the advent of this program.
Why should Express Entry exist for immigrants?
Express Entry is the fastest and most popular way for immigrants to seek Canadian residency. Express Entry has made it much easier for competent and skilled workers to take residency in the Land of Maple Leaf. If you are skilled in a particular field that is in high demand in Canada, Express Entry is the most suitable option for you to settle there after obtaining a PR Visa.
Canada is currently facing labour shortage and to meet the needs of the Canadian workforce, Express Entry is an important step for rapidly filling the vacancies. This program has helped Canada economically. It is important to note that Express Entry is not an application to apply for permanent residency but it helps signify your interest in being considered for a permanent resident visa.
To be determined by Federal Government whether a candidate is eligible or not for the Express Entry program, interested applicants have to submit their online profile. Eligible candidates are accepted into the Express Entry pool from where they are evaluated and ranked according to various factors like language ability, work experience, age, educational qualification, etc.
A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score is provided to them, and candidates with a high CRS score receive an Invitation To Apply (ITA) which means his/her profile is considered for permanent residency.
Eligibility Criteria to get Canada Express Entry Visa
There are many factors that impact your CRS, and hence, your chances of getting a Canada Express Entry Visa as follows:
1. Education
The maximum points you can get in this field are for a relevant Doctorate Degree from a designated institute, a Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree of a 3-year program at least can get you decent scores. You will get lesser points for inferior degrees, the least scores in this category you can get is for a secondary school degree. No points will be provided for any certificate lesser than a high school diploma or degree.
2. Age
Applicants of the 18-35 age group get maximum points in this category. The scores of older applicants or applicants above the core working age get reduced, and applicants above 45 years of age will get no points.
3. Work Experience
Candidates having 5 or more years of experience in the relevant will receive maximum points, and lesser experience will result in lesser points. Candidates will receive no points for experience lesser than a year.
4. Arranged Employment
Having a valid job offer from one of the Canadian employers eligible under the Federal Skilled Workers Stream can also get you decent scores.
5. Adaptability
If you are arriving with your spouse/ common-law partner, he/she can also get points based on language proficiency, past work experience, etc which can help increase your overall score.
6. Language Proficiency
The evaluation of language ability is done through the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) which is deduced by the score obtained by the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Documents required for Canada Express Entry Visa
The following documents are needed to apply for a Canada Express Entry Visa:
- Language test results for either English or French language
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) either for gaining points in the education category or applying through Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
- Provincial Nomination (If you have one)
- Valid job offer from an eligible Canadian employer (If you have one)
- Copies of the above-mentioned documents are to be uploaded if ITA is received by the candidate for a Canada PR visa.
- Medical examination certificates for proof of good health
- Proof of enough funds to sustain in Canada and return to home country.
Advantages of Canada Express Entry Visa
Here are the numerous advantages you can get by applying for Canada Express Entry Visa:
1. Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score reduction
Cut-off CRS scores are about to get reduced by IRCC, as the Canadian government is planning to welcome a large number of immigrants to the country and you can relax knowing that further reduction in cut-off scores is bound to happen in upcoming years.
2. Electronic System
There is no possibility of discrimination as the whole application processing is done by the application system. CRS scores get updated automatically and candidates are selected on the basis of updated cut-off scores.
3. Fast Application Processing
The processing time of application is very less compared to other immigration programs as the whole application is processed in 4-6 months which can save you a lot of time and money.
4. The Federal System of Immigration
Express Entry is a Federal System of Immigration, those applicants who receive an ITA (Invitation To Apply) can apply for permanent residency under the program. After you get a Canada Express Entry Visa, you can settle anywhere in Canada.
Advantages for the Canadian Employers
Canadian employers are assisted by Express Entry in responding to the labour shortage. When Canadian employers are not in a position to fill the vacancies with Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they can play a direct role in employing talented and skilled foreign nationals under this program.
