What is Express Entry Program | Basic guide

What is Express Entry Program? How does Express Entry Program work? Is it possible to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry Program?

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What is Express Entry Program Canada?

In short, Express Entry is the easiest, fastest and most straightforward immigration program to Canada. Express Entry Program is a point-based program created by the federal government that gives you Canadian permanent residency if everything goes well!

What are the types of Express Entry Program Canada?

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP/FSW) is for all foreigners who can qualify and do not have a work experience in Canada. I will focus most of the time on this category unless explicitly mentioned otherwise.

2. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Every FSWP profile with at least one year of work experience in Canada gets converted to a CEC profile.

3. Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)

Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP) is related to trade professions that require a job offer or certification from Canada. You can read more about FSTP from here.

What are the eligibility requirements for Express Entry Canada? (FSW)

You need to score at least 67 points out of eligibility points to qualify to open an express entry profile.

Eligibility requirements are only required to open a profile and maintain that profile in the express entry pool. At any given time, if you do not fulfill the eligibility requirements, then your profile becomes inactive and out of the express entry pool.

You may check your eligibility from this link or calculate manually from this link.

The next step is to calculate your CRS score, which determines your likelihood of getting an invitation to apply. Once you get the invitation to apply (ITA), you can complete the rest of the steps to get your Canadian Permanent Residency.

You may calculate your CRS score from this link.

How does Express Entry Program work?

1. Open a profile after fulfilling the eligibility requirements.

2. Wait in the pool for a draw.

3. If your CRS score is greater than the minimum score of the draw, then you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA).

4. Complete your documents and wait a long period to get the PR news.

What is the timeline of the Express Entry Program to get the Canadian PR?

Open a profile

To open a profile in the express entry program, you need to be eligible (67 points), get your Educational credential assessment (ECA) report, and your language tests.

Wait in the pool

After creating the profile, you wait in the express entry program pool for an express entry draw or an invitation letter by a province*.

*You may get lucky and get an invitation letter from a province. In that case, you complete the provincial nominee program (PNP) procedures first to obtain a nomination. Once you get the nomination, it will add 600 CRS points to your overall CRS score points.

Invitation to Apply (ITA)

On the day of the draw, if your CRS score is more than the lowest score, you get an invitation to apply (ITA). You have got 60 days to upload all your documents.

Acknowledgement of Receipt (AOR)

Once you submit all your documents within 60 days after ITA, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR).

Passport Request (PPR)

After a long wait, approximately six months, you will receive the golden mail that states to submit your documents (including your passport) to a visa office.

Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR)

A document that states your permanent residency got approved.

FAQs about Express Entry Program

When will be the next Express Entry draws?

There are no specific date for express entry draws, however, you can expect to have a draw on Wednesdays or Thursdays according to the trend. You can follow the draws from this link.

Do all profiles get an invitation on the draw day?

No, only the profiles that has a score above the lowest score and meet the tie breaker rule.

What is the tie-breaker rule?

If more than one profile has the lowest score, the cut-off is based on the date and time they submitted their Express Entry profiles. So, all profiles created before the tie-breaker rule get an invitation.

Is the express entry draw random?

No, the IRCC team decides the criteria of the draw based on unknown parameters.

What is Express Entry Program | Basic guide

What is Express Entry Program Canada?