Canada Express Entry is one of the widely viewed and best options available in the world for people looking for a better quality of life and job opportunities through immigration. Owing to better health care service, low crime rate, a healthy economy, and a growing job market. It is the best place to settle in for those who are looking for a better quality of life for themselves and their families.
Moreover, the Canada immigration Process is more open, flexible and user friendly, especially after the introduction of the Canada Express Entry in 2015, when compared to the immigration process of other developed countries such as Australia, the USA, and the UK. Therefore it’s easier to qualify. Canada also provides a robust healthcare, public education and social welfare system which is one of the best in the world and at a very low cost.
Steps for applying Express Entry
The steps to obtaining a Permanent Residence through the Canada Express Entry pool are as follows
Step 1: Complete your Language ability Tests
One of the primary requirements for Canada Express Entry as proof of language ability. Applicants are required to submit a valid IELTS or CELPIP for proving the ability to communicate effectively in the English language. Applicants can also give a relevant French language test such as Test de evaluation de Francians (TEF) to further improve your ranking.
IELTS is an internationally available English proficiency test. There are two categories of IELTS: General Training and Academic. For Canadian immigration, you should take the IELTS – General Training. IELTS results provide a score for each language ability, as well as an overall band score that averages your results in each ability.
CELPIP was designed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There are two CELPIP test types: the General Test and the General LS Test. For immigration, you have to take the CELPIP – General Test. Test Centre for CELPIP are currently available in Canada, USA, India, Philipines,China and UAE .
If you are a native French speaker or would prefer to submit language test results demonstrating French proficiency, you must take the TEF. There are two types of TEF available: the TEF and the TEFAQ. We usually recommend that you take the TEF. The TEFAQ is only accepted for Quebec immigration, while the TEF is accepted by both Quebec and federal immigration.
Step 2: Get your (ECA) Education Credentials Assessment
An Educational credential assessment (ECA) is used to verify that your foreign degree, diploma, or certificate (or other proof of your credential) is valid and equal to a Canadian one. There are different types of ECAs. You need to get an ECA for immigration purposes.
Educational credential assessment (ECA) is mandatory to apply under Canada Express Entry. Basically, the level of your degree will be judged through this process. In Canada, there are different associations, for example, World Education Services, which will assess your educational records and give you an ECA report.
There are 5 designated organizations to get an ECA for Canada Immigration:
- Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. (CEC)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada. (ICAS)
- World Education Services. (WES)
- International Qualifications Assessment Service. (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service. (ICES)
Processing time and procedure of application to all these institutes are different. WES is having the fastest processing time of all these institutes. However, it is recommended to check whether your university is recognized by the institute you are applying to.
Step 3: Find your NOC ( National Occupation classification)
You need to check your NOC as per your job responsibility, you will be assigned for 4 digit code which is used to represent your work experience for Canada Express Entry profile and laster for job search.
All NOC are divided into 5 job groups :
- Skill Type 0 (zero): management jobs
- Skill Level A: professional jobs that usually call for a degree from a university.
- Skill Level B: technical jobs and skilled trades that usually call for a college diploma or training as an apprentice.
- Skill Level C: intermediate jobs that usually call for high school and/or job-specific training.
- Skill Level D: labor jobs that usually give on-the-job training.
To be eligible under the three federal programs of Canada Express Entry, you must have previous work experience under either skill type 0, or level A or B.
Step 4: Check your Eligibility
Potential applicants need to be eligible under one of the following federal economic immigration programs:
- Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Now, eligibility under one of these programs can be checked under Come to Canada tool of CIC. A reference number is generated here, which is required in the Canada Express Entry profile.
Step 5: Create Express Entry Profile
To create express entry profile you need :
- A valid passport.
- A valid IELTS test report form reference number.
- ECA Report reference number.
- A reference number from Come to Canada tool.
- Job NOC code.
You need to provide several details related to your work experience and family. After submission of details, you can check the CRS break up and you become officially into the Canada Express Entry pool.
Step 6: Apply for Provincial Nomination (optional)
You can also opt to apply for one of the various provincial nomination programs that are managed by the different provinces within Canada. If successfully selected for a provincial nomination, you can get an additional 600 points on your score.
Learn more : PNP program guide
Step 7: Get an invitation to apply (ITA).
Express Entry draw is conducted on a regular basis. Normally a draw is conducted every 2 weeks and candidates are invited to apply. Candidates are sent a notification in their express entry profile and they are provided with adoption to accept or reject the invitation. After accepting the invitation. candidates have 60 days to submit all the documents required by CIC and documents are uploaded on the express entry profile.
Step 8: Complete documents as per checklist
Once you accept the invitation, you need to provide evidence against all the information you provided in the express entry profile. Apart from this, you need to sign and submit several forms provided bt the CIC. Your need to scan all these documents and upload in Canada Express Entry profile.
Hers is the list of documents.
Apart from this, you need to sign and submit several forms. Link to these forms are mailed to you by CIC once you get the ITA.
Step 9: Fees payment and file submission
Once you upload all the documents, you need to pay processing fees and RPRF fees for principal applicants, accompanying spouse or Comom law partner and child. You can pay only processing fees at this stage and pay RPRF once CIC asked to pay you. However, it is recommended to pay RPRF fees along with processing fees to avoid any delay in processing. after payment of fees, you can submit your file for processing.
Learn more : Cost of immigration to Canada
Step 10: eAOR to PPR
After submitting a file, you will receive an electronic acknowledgment of receipt on your email. Following this, there are various steps involved in the verification of documents and assessment of your file.
So it is in below order
AOR – NA1 – MEP – IP1 – NA2 – IP2 – NA3 – PPR
Passport Request
After your verification and assessment are finished by the visa officer, you receive a mail to submit the passport of the principal applicant and all other accompanying family members. Within a week or two, you will receive your passport back with a copy of your CoPR. You need to submit this CoPR at the port of entry in Canada. It is returned to you after stamping at the airport and eventually, you have to keep it forever as proof of landing in Canada as a Permanent Resident.