Express Entry General Information

What is the Express Entry Program?

Express Entry is a new system for managing visa applications for Canadian permanent residence. The Express Entry system is an online portal where applicants can submit their forms and other documentation electronically and receive updates through their online profile. The electronic system was launched in January, 2015.

The Express Entry system has replaced the old paper based application system for the following economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program

• Federal Skilled Trades Program

• Canadian Experience Class

There is also the option of applying electronically through the Express Entry system for specified portions of Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

All applicants using the Express Entry system will be placed into a pool of candidates. The federal and provincial government of Canada as well as Canadian employers will then select the most ideal candidates for permanent residence. Applicants for Express Entry are scored on a point scale called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Some of the factors that applicants are scored on are:

• Language ability in either or both of Canada’s official languages (English or French)

• Education, Training, and other types of Certification

• Work experience

• Skills

• Job offer

Once applicants are in the candidate pool, those with the highest point scores will be given an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This ITA is sent through the Express Entry system to the applicant’s online profile.

Advantages of the Express Entry System

With the old system of paper based applications, there were several significant obstacles that would sometimes delay processing. Documents and correspondence might get lost or misplaced in transition. Wait times for physical mail to arrive are also subject to delays which could further lengthen processing times.

The biggest advantage of the Express Entry system is in its overall efficiency. Because documentation is submitted electronically, it can be sent and received almost instantaneously. Furthermore, it is much easier to keep track of documents and organize applications effectively.

With the older paper based systems, backlogs in processing were more likely to occur. Much of this backlog was caused by the “first come, first served” scenario where every application had to be completely assessed before a permanent resident visa was either granted or declined. With the Express Entry system, only applicants selected from the candidate pool will go on to the next phase of processing. This eliminates backlog by focusing only on the applicants most likely to succeed in attaining permanent resident status.

Since the Express Entry system was introduced in 2015, applications in the Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and Canadian Experience Class programs are now processed (on average) within 6 months or less. These processing times are significantly lower than the old paper based system.

Is there an Application Cap for Express Entry?

The way that the Express Entry system is designed, it allows for an unlimited number of applicants to enter the candidate pool. Naturally, this does not extend to the Invitations to Apply. How many invitations are sent out for permanent residence is dictated by the Annual Immigration Levels Plan.

The number of Invitations to Apply sent out for a particular time period is determined by Ministerial Instructions posted on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s web page. For example, from the invitation period beginning on April 6, 2016 and ending on April 7, 2016, the number of Invitations to Apply that may be given is 954.

Since the Express Entry system was started, there are about 2 invitation periods per month, on average. These invitation periods are referred to as Rounds of Invitations.

Express Entry Rounds of Invitations

The Ministerial Instructions published on Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s website provide more detailed information on the dates and maximum number of Invitations to Apply granted for each round of invitations. To qualify for an Invitation to Apply during a round of invitations, the Express Entry applicant must meet the minimum cut-off score from the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Historically, this score has continued to decline. For example, by examining the Invitation Rounds chart below, you can see that the CRS has dropped significantly since the Express Entry system first started.

Invitation Rounds (from Jan, 2015 to June, 2015):

(retrieved from: cic.gc.ca)

The trend of lower Comprehensive Ranking System Cutoffs has continued into 2016. For example, on March 23, 2016 the CRS cutoff was 470 points. Naturally, the CRS cutoff could increase or decrease depending on the candidate pool, so higher scores are still a safer bet for obtaining an Invitation to Apply from the Express Entry system.

At the time of this writing, applicants with a valid job offer from a Canadian employer receive 600 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System. This means having a job approved by a Labour Market Impact Assessment application guarantees an Invitation to Apply for Canadian permanent residence. However, since the CRS cutoff is currently in the 400 point range, it is still possible to be selected even with a job offer from Canada.

Creating an Express Entry Profile

As mentioned earlier, there is no limit to the number of applicants who wish to create an Express Entry profile. As long as you have access to a computer, the internet, and have a scanner so that you can scan and upload documents, then you are ready to create an Express Entry profile.

When you begin to create your profile, the Express Entry system will ask you some questions about your identification and background. You will also be required to upload some documentation so that the system can score you based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

The Express Entry profile is free of charge. If you do eventually receive an Invitation to Apply, then you will have to pay the applicable government fee. Currently, for the Economic Classes covered by the Express Entry system, the fees are:

• $550 for the principal applicant

• $550 for the spouse, common law or conjugal partner of the principal applicant

• $150 for a dependent family member of the principal applicant under 19 years of age

An Express Entry profile will last for 1 year from the date it is created. If an applicant doesn’t receive an Invitation to Apply after 1 year, then he or she will have to create a new Express Entry profile.

Getting an Invitation to Apply

If you do end up receiving an Invitation to Apply after creating your Express Entry profile, then you will move on to the next stage of processing your Canadian permanent resident application. You will receive an update from Citizenship and Immigration Canada on your profile notifying you that you have been invited to apply for permanent residence. At this point you will also be informed of which program you have qualified for.

Once you have received the Invitation to Apply, you will only have 60 days to submit all of the remaining forms and supporting documentation for your permanent residence application. Just like before, everything will be uploaded to your Express Entry profile and submitted electronically.

Some of the documentation that might be required to upload:

• Language test results (from an accredited testing agency like IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF)

• Passports and travel documents

• An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report which shows your equivalent level of education under the Canadian system

• Proof of means of financial support

• Job offer from a Canadian employer

When you receive your Invitation to Apply, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will supply you with a customized document checklist. The documents requested will largely be determined by the program that you have been selected to apply under, whether it is Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, or Canadian Experience Class.

After Completing the Application

Once your complete permanent residence application has been electronically submitted through the Express Entry system, you will have to pay your fees. After that, it is simply a matter of waiting for any update on your application status from Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

It is possible that you may receive a request for additional documentation or other information during the processing of your application. If this is the case, you should make every effort to upload the additional documentation as soon as possible so that your permanent residence application can be completed.

Contact Akrami and Associates

If you are considering applying for Canadian permanent residence through the Express Entry system, we’d be happy to help. Our team of Canadian immigration lawyers and consultants has the knowledge and expertise to help you submit the best possible application. Contact us today at 416-477-2545 to learn more.

With Akrami and Associates there is always a way!!