Immigration Blog about US & Canadian Immigration matters.

What is express entry:

The Express Entry category is an electronic and online system that manages applications for permanent residence for certain Economic programs. The Express Entry will also facilitate a faster processing time as Canada seeks out ways to increase economic stability through immigration

Candidates are ranked in the pool using a points-based system called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The highest ranking candidates are selected from the pool and are invited to apply for permanent residence.

What does it Mean When Receiving Procedural Fairness Letter

Have you received a procedural fairness letter from citizenship and immigration Canada and not sure how to respond to this letter?

If this is the case, then this blog is for you!

Do You Want to Immigrate to Canada in 2019

As you may know, Canada’s education and living conditions attract many foreign nationals to visit, study, and work. Furthermore, the multiculturalism in Canada is one of the essential reasons that drives one's longing to move. After they have experienced the beauty of Canada, they may consider settling down permanently in Canada. While numerous individuals are contemplating moving to Canada, they may be thinking about looking for assistance from an immigration representative to make the immigration process more smoothly. Indeed, here comes the most significant inquiry: is hiring a representative necessary? In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of hiring an immigration representative and how to avoid immigration fraud.

Who are Immigration Representatives

Immigration may be difficult and complicated, especially if you are not family with Canadian immigration law. If you are struggling with your application, you may be able to seek guidance from a representative. An Immigration and citizenship representative’s job duties include but are not limited to:

Immigrate to Canada

Are you a skilled professional and are interested in moving to Canada? If so, one of the options that may be available to you is the Express Entry program. Under this program, Canada is looking for skilled workers with qualifying work experience and education to contribute to Canada’s growing economy. If you think this might be you and you would like to know what you need to do to apply, this blog may be for you.

What is the Express Entry System

The Express Entry program is an online application system used by Canada immigration to process permanent residence applications for skilled workers. The first step is for Applicants to create an online profile through CIC’s website. You will be asked to give information about your skilled work experience, language ability and education. You will then be given points based on the information you provide and added into a pool with other candidates where you will be ranked against each other based on the points received.

Things to Know about an Express Entry

Have you ever wanted to move to Canada, but not sure about how you may pursue your dream? Well, there is an opportunity for you to become a permanent resident of Canada. With the Express Entry application, you are given a good chance of being considered as a skilled immigrant and move to Canada. Throughout this blog, you will gain an understanding about the required documents and qualifications of Express Entry.

What is an Express Entry

Express entry is a system of Canadian immigration which seeks to attract highly skilled foreign nationals to the Canadian labor market. This system uses a point ranking program to seek out the most highly skilled immigrants. A Comprehensive Ranking System is used to determine which individuals will be given the chance to apply for permanent residency in Canada. This point system collects points primarily from these four main categories: education, language, experience, and age. That being said, if you are proficient in multiple languages, have great work experience, excel in your educational pathway and/or have a high degree like MA, BA, PHD, etc, you possess a good chance of being selected. Highly skilled foreign nationals will receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence, through one of the 3 express entry streams. Ultimately, express entry is the way in which applicants make themselves candidates to become permanent residents through either the Federal Skilled Trades program (FSTP), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), or the Canadian Experience Class, depending on their qualifications.

What is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) allows many Provinces and territories in Canada, with the exception of Quebec, to nominate individuals with certain skills, education, and work experience to immigrate to Canada. In order to improve the efficiency of immigration application processes, many provinces and territories have connected their own PNP programs with Express Entry since January 1, 2015. Each province and territory has their own criteria for their PNP programs; this allows provincial governments to have better control of the services and employment sectors in their region. In this blog, you will learn about how to immigrate to Canada as a provincial nominee through Express Entry.

Applying For a PNP through Express Entry

If you want to apply for a PNP through the Express Entry, you have two options to do so.

Introducing the Express Entry Program

Are you a skilled worker looking to immigrate permanently to Canada? Depending on the type of skilled work experience that you have, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada under the federal Express Entry program. To learn more about the federal Express Entry program, the application process and how you may qualify, read the rest of this blog.

What is the Federal Express Entry Program

The Express Entry program is one of the pathways to immigrate to Canada permanently. The program targets skilled foreign workers with the ability and qualifications to help boost Canada’s economy. There are three programs under the express entry program. These are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades and Canadian Experience Class.

Gaining your Permanent Residency with Express Entry

As you may know, there are many ways by which you may obtain a permanent residence status in Canada. Express Entry is one of the options. However, the Express Entry can be confusing to many foreign nationals in terms of application types, as there are many categories under the Express Entry system. In order to prepare you for your application, it is important for you to recognize and understand the eligibility requirements prior to applying. The Express Entry immigration system process has two steps that a foreign national must take in order to successfully complete the application process. In this blog, you will learn about eligibility requirements for Express Entry, as well as the application process of Express Entry.

What is Express Entry

The Express Entry immigration system allows foreign nationals that come from a variety of different fields, educational backgrounds, and work experience to immigrate to Canada. By applying for Express Entry, you are essentially establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with the Canadian Government. That being said, while you are obtaining your permanent residency, you are also contributing to the Canadian Labour Market and the economy. As long as the foreign national is eligible, they can apply under the Express Entry immigration system to get a Permanent Resident Status in Canada. Permanent Resident Status will then be your stepping-stone to the last stop of your Canadian Immigration journey, which is obtaining the Canadian citizenship.

How to Avoid Common Application Mistakes

The number one reason applications are refused is because they are riddled with mistakes. These applications are difficult applications to pursue on your own, because, if you are unfamiliar with the process, there is a good chance you overlook certain details and submit an imperfect application. Unfortunately for applicants, the Canadian Government is not interesting in assisting others file applications; this is why they recommend you consult an immigration specialist, or a lawyer. It often comes as a surprise when an application which is incomplete is returned and refused, without any ability to re-submit it and pick up where it left off. However, one needs to understand, immigration and border protection cannot be taken lightly. Applications must be complete and robust for the security of Canada as a whole. Therefore, it makes sense that when an application is complete, it cannot simply be approved. Furthermore, the Canadian government has to devote all its time and resources to processing and approving complete applications for individuals who truly deserve to fulfill their long-worked-for-wish of immigrating to Canada. Everyone who submits an application to immigration can understand, the wait time are agonizing at the best of times, and they would not like to think their applications are being inefficient they are spending too much time processing applications. Ultimately, we have created this article to help applicants have an easier time submitting applications which will not be returned and refused, and get everyone working together to help Canadian border officers process more files successfully.

1. Always check country specific requirements before submitting your application.

Regardless of the type of application you are submitting, whether it be for permanent residence, or for temporary residence, please take the time to do this. Depending on the country and the type of application you are submitting, you could need to submit additional documents. Or for example, you could have to submit originals of some documents which other countries are only required to submit a copy of. If you do not submit original documents when required, your application will be returned as incomplete.

FAQ’s Express Entry

Express entry is one of the most attractive programs to try and achieve permanent residence through, as, it indicates in the name, this is a much quicker route to permanent residency than most, assuming you are an individual who receives an invitation to apply. That is the downside of the EE program; individuals who are not top prospects could have to submit an EE profile many years in a row, before they ever have the opportunity to immigrate to Canada. Nonetheless, the express entry program is a very unique program, and should not be overlooked. It provides both an incredible opportunity to a foreign national who wishes to immigrate to Canada, while, at the same time, it ensures highly skilled individuals are the ones with priority to enter Canada first, to help boost the Canadian economy. This is a selective process, but in the end, the better the Canadian economy, the more opportunity the government can to all foreign nationals to truly experience Canadian culture.

Q: If English is my first language, do I have to complete a language test for Express Entry?

A: This may seem strange… but yet, it is mandatory to obtain a language test for Express Entry even if you are a native English speaker. The point of this is to ensure the Canadian government treats all applicants completely equally. This is achieved by assessing all applicants for Express Entry using the same standards, regardless of their native language, ethnicity or nationality. 

What is Federal Skilled Arranged Employment?

If you’re thinking of looking for work in Canada, you’re probably somewhat aware that most ways to apply for a work permit in Canada require you to have a job offer from an interested employer, before you can be granted a work permit. This is because many of the work permits foreign nationals have permission to work in Canada with are closed work permits. The Federal Skilled Arranged Employment program is one which helps Canadian employers hire qualified, skilled foreign nationals to help with their company in Canada. The workers that are hired are working for the employer who applied for an Labor Market Impact Assessment, and brought them to Canada. In other words, individuals working in Canada as the result of Federal skilled arranged employment are working on a closed work permit. So, if you’re a foreign national with skills the Canadian labor market would benefit from and you would like to work in Canada, keep reading to learn more about how the federal skilled arranged employment program works!

The Federal Skilled Worker Program

It is possible to hire a foreign national for a permanent position, and bring them to Canada as permanent residents because of the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). The Federal Skilled Worker Program is set out to help Canadian employers acquire skilled workers permanently, in areas which Canadian nationals are not filling all the positions which are in demand. Through this program, individuals can be recruited for positions which qualify as Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or Skill Level B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification (NOC) list.

Applying For Express Entry under the Available Federal Economic Programs

If you have valuable skills and experience working in Canada or abroad, which would be a valuable addition to the Canadian economy, you may have the chance to apply for express entry, under one of the available federal economic programs. There are specific requirements you must meet for each specific program, though, the 3 different programs available aim to provide foreign nationals the opportunity to apply for high skilled professional and managerial positions, as well as skilled trade positions, so, there is something for almost anyone who is a highly qualified worker. The 3 federal economic programs I speak of are the Canadian experience class, the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP), and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). As mentioned, they each have specific requirements to be eligible, though, they are each a very unique opportunity for highly qualified workers, regardless of the field their occupation is in. Keep reading this blog for a breakdown of the federal economic programs available through express entry.

How Does Express Entry Work?

Essentially, applicants create a profile if they are eligible for one of the three federal economic programs, and receive points for their language abilities, education level, previous work experience, whether or not they have a job offer, and several other factors. Using a point based system, otherwise known as a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) individuals are assessed to determine the value they bring to the Canadian working economy. Depending on these factors, you will be given a score, which represents your worth to Canadian employers. For example, under all programs, having post-secondary education will give you additional points, though; it is not always a requirement.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for Express Entry

In Canada, the Express Entry immigration program has become, one of, if not the most popular immigration program for foreign nationals to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Many foreign nationals are curious as to whether they are eligible to apply under this category and what exactly is required of them if they were to apply. Immigration applications can be overwhelming for individuals who are not familiar with applying; therefore, it is best to recognize and understand the eligibility requirements prior to applying. The Express Entry immigration system process has two steps that a foreign national must take in order to successfully complete the application process. Therefore, in this article, I will explain the eligibility requirements for Express Entry as well other important information one should know before applying under this economic immigration program.

Express Entry

The Express Entry immigration system was initiated and created by Immigration Canada to assist with managing applications for permanent residency in Canada under specific federal economic immigration programs. Furthermore, the program is intended to help foreign nationals to immigrate to Canada based on specific criteria that would, thus, be beneficial and helpful for the Canadian labour market and the economy. Thankfully, the Express Entry immigration system has been a substantial upgrade compared to the traditional Canadian immigration process from the past. As a result, it essentially assists with the processing times for applications.

New Data Indicates that Nearly a Quarter of Canadian Workers are Immigrants

Canada has welcomed immigrants to support the economy, society and culture of Canada for many decades and possibly centuries. As a result, Immigrants have made significant gains in Canada’s workforce. Specifically, over the last ten years, approximately more than 50 per cent of immigrants have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Based on released statistics on November 29 of 2017, the data indicates that immigrants account for approximately 23.8 per cent of Canadian workers in the year of 2016. Therefore, in this article, I will explain the new statistics and how this affects the Canadian economy.

New Data Indicating Nearly a Quarter of Canadian Workers are Immigrants

As previously mentioned, recent statistics that were released on November 29, 2017, show that approximately 23.8 per cent of Canadian workers consisted of immigrants. Compared to 21.1 per cent of Canadian workers being immigrants in 2006, these new numbers show that there is almost a quarter of Canadian workers that are immigrants. During this period, the government of Canada decided to introduce significant changes to the immigration system in order to address labour shortages. This resulted in the implementation of the Express Entry system in 2015.

Find out eligibility for Express Entry & a Guide to Profile Creation

The Express Entry program has become one of the most popular immigration programs for foreign nationals from around the world to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Of course, in order to apply for Express Entry and be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada, there are many eligibility requirements that must be met. Additionally, for the Express Entry process, there are two steps that one must take in order to successfully complete the process. Therefore, in this article, I will explain the eligibility requirements for Express Entry as well as guide you through the first step of Express Entry which is the profile creation.

What is Express Entry

The Express Entry system is utilized and intended to manage applications for permanent residency in Canada under specific federal economic immigration programs. It is essentially created to assist foreign nationals to come to Canada based on several factors that will be beneficial to the Canadian economy and labour market. Additionally, the Express Entry program was also created to upgrade from the traditional Canadian immigration process and will result in faster processing times for permanent residency applications.

FAQ – Express Entry

In this article, I will address a few popular questions and answers for individuals who are applying for permanent residency through Canada’s Express Entry program. If a foreign national acquires the required skills and work experience, they may be able to apply under the Express Entry economic program of Canada. Express Entry was intended as a faster way to obtain permanent residency as a foreign skilled worker. In order to discover more information about Express Entry, please continue reading this article. Essentially, the intention of this article is meant to clarify any questions or information you would like to know with regards to an Express Entry.

Q: Will I have a higher chance of being invited to apply for permanent residency if I have more than one Express Entry online profile?

A: Unfortunately, no, it does not give you a higher chance of being invited. As per Canada’s immigration law, you may only have one profile at a time. Thus, creating more than one profile at a time will not give you a higher chance to be invited to apply for permanent residency.

Human Capital Priorities (HCP) Stream Introduced in Ontario

In Canada, Ontario is the most populated province and it continues to be a very popular destination for new immigrants looking to settle in Canada. Luckily, Ontario has an immigrant nomination program that helps skilled foreign nationals who have work experience obtain permanent residency in Canada, specifically Ontario, and thus contribute to the Canadian economy. It is important to note that the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is quite helpful to any Express Entry candidate as it provides them with the most points out of all Express Entry factors. For instance, a successful candidate may be able to obtain up to 600 additional points from the PNP program. As a result, they may be able to receive an invitation to apply at the next available draw for the Express Entry pool. Additionally, candidates under the Express Entry pool, who have work experience in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) occupations, are now prioritized by the Ontario province under this new initiative that was introduced on June 26, 2017. In this article, I will address the new Stream and how it affects the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) and Express Entry altogether.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Workers

In order to qualify under this Stream of Human Capital Priorities (HCP), a part of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), candidates must be eligible as ICT workers under Express Entry. As of June 26, Ontario has specifically targeted these types of workers for their province. The province of Ontario is searching for candidates under Express Entry with experience in specific ICT occupations and as a result the candidates are eligible to receive a Notification of Interest (NOI), which was previously called an invitation to apply for provincial nomination. Thankfully, this is even the case if they had scored less than 400 points under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

What is the National Occupation Code?

The National Occupation Classification also known as the NOC is a system used by the Government of Canada that classifies occupations (jobs). The National Occupation Classification pretty much describes the type of work performed by Canadians in the labour market. These occupations are grouped based on work the performed which are determined by the task, duties and responsibility within the occupation. This information gives employers, job seekers, statisticians, labour market analysts, career counselors to collect information to better understand the nature of work and what type of experience is needed to apply for a program. The NOC tool has a four digit code that helps you classify the occupation based on skill type and skill level. These NOC digits give you important information about the occupation it represents. For example, 3113 Dentist- the “31” tells you that this is a health occupation and it requires university level education.

National Occupational Classification 2016 Update

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) has been updated to help employers and job seekers find the proper NOC without spending too much time and then ending up selecting the incorrect NOC. The NOC 2016 has enlisted new job titles and has simplified the content of the unit groups. Some unit groups have their descriptions and job titles updated, terminology has made changed to reflect the current usage of terminology in occupations. The structure of the NOC remains the same, meaning no major groups or minor have been added or removed or combined. You may find in some groups that their names of been changed or the content is updated. NOC 2016 is based on Skill Type and Skill Level just like NOC 2011.

Express Entry

You must have heard about the Express Entry but you do not know what the program is all about and what category of visas it involves. In this blog we will discuss various aspects of Express Entry and general questions that are asked by clients about this program. There are certain criteria that have to be met to be considered eligible for this program. First we have to understand what the purpose of Canadian government is by implementing such a program. Express Entry program is a new system by Canadian immigration to select candidates for skilled jobs and immigrate to Canada for Permanent Residency. It is an electronic process that involves the federal and provincial governments of Canada as well as the Canadian employers to serve their needs and choose potential skilled workers that they find suitable from outside of Canada.

What Increases your Chance in Express Entry?

What increases your chance is dependent on what category you apply under or fit for. There are three different categories when it comes to Express Entry.

Express Entry: Rounds of Invitations

After creating an Express Entry Profile, all applicants are entered into the Express Entry Pool and have the potential to receive an Invitation to Apply as a Skilled Immigrant under one of the following streams for Permanent Residence:

• Federal Skilled Worker Class
• Federal Skilled Trades Class
• Canadian Experience Class

Receiving an Invitation to Apply for a particular class under Express Entry is determined by an applicant’s total Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. In theory, one could score 1200 points in the CRS. However, this is not a common occurrence. Many applicants will score in the 400 to 800 point range, which is still viable for receiving an Invitation to Apply.