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Express Entry FAQs

• What is Express Entry?

  Express Entry (EE) is an online immigration application system. It allows people to submit a profile and be considered as a skilled immigrant. Candidates with the highest rankings, measured by CRS score, are invited to apply for permanent residency.

• Which Immigration Programs does Express Entry Cover?

  You must use Express Entry to apply for:

  • The Skilled Worker Program
  • The Canadian Experience Class
  • The Skilled Trades Program

  Provinces also pick candidates from Express Entry pool under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).

• How are EE profile points determined?

  Your Express Entry profile will get points based on:

  • Your education level;
  • Your abilities in English and/or French (Canada's 2 official languages);
  • Your work experience and skills;
  • Your age;
  • If you have a job offer in Canada; and
  • Your spouse's education, language abilities and work experience.

  Additional points are also awarded if you have completed a college or university program in Canada or if you have a provincial nomination.

• What are the documents you must submit with your PR application once you get your ITA through the Express Entry pool?

  • Police clearance certificate
  • Proof of details about you and your family members- birth certificates, marriage certificate, passport, etc.
  • Proof that you have funds to support your initial stay in Canada with your family members
  • Medical will be required later

• What is the minimum IELTS/NCLC score required for Canada Express Entry?

  The test results score in IELTS is a crucial requirement for creating a profile and submitting Expression of Interest. This is in the Canada Express Entry System.

  • The Skilled Worker Program (FSW): CLB/NCLC 7
  • The Canadian Experience Class (CEC): CLB/NCLC 5 for TEER 2 & 3; CLB/NCLC 7 for TEER 0 &1
  • The Skilled Trades Program (FST): CLB/NCLC 5 in speaking and listening; CLB/NCLC 4 in reading and writing
  
  

  The applicants must have minimum CLB 7 (Canadian Language Benchmark) for Federal Skilled Level (FSW) program in the test for English language proficiency. This is as per the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

• What documents are required for Canada Express Entry?

  Documents are not required to be uploaded while creating a profile in the Express Entry. However, you may need information from a few or all of the below documents:

  • Travel document or passport
  • Results of the language test
  • ECA report (Education Credential Assessment) if
    • You are submitting the application through the FSWP (Federal Skilled Workers Program) or
    • You want to obtain points for education obtained overseas
  • Nomination from a province if you have one
  • Written employment offer from a Canadian employer if you have one

  You will have to upload copies of the above documents if you are offered an invitation to apply for Canada PR Visa. Applicants will also have to upload the below:

  • Proof of funds
  • Police certificates
  • IME, if already done, otherwise medical will be requested later

• What is the next step after receiving ITA from Canada through Express Entry?

  The applicant who receives an ITA must fill the application forms and upload the required documents. This is according to the checklist issued by IRCC. They must then obtain police clearance and pay the specified fees. The specified funds must be shown by them and the application must be submitted within 60 days. Upload IME, if already done, otherwise medical exam will be requested later.

• Should I apply for Canada PR or Express Entry through a consultant or on my own?

  You are free to apply for Express Entry or Canada PR on your own. However, there are innumerable pathways for PR, several documents required, and specific rules not to mention NOC mapping, draw timing etc. It is advisable that you avail services of reputed Immigration Consultants to maximize the success rate of your application.

• Is IELTS compulsory for Spouse under Express Entry PR Visa for Canada?

  Canada PR Visa does not mandate that the IELTS score of the spouse has to be offered by the applicant. However, if offered, this will incur extra points to the principal applicant.

• What does it take to get Canadian PR without a job offer via Express Entry?

  The applicant is required to secure at least 67 points out of 100 for minimum eligibility. This is based on diverse factors like Language Proficiency, Work Experience, Education, and Age. Other factors include work experience, study, or close relative in Canada who is a Canadian Citizen or PR Visa holder. A separate CRS score is used to rank the profiles however.

• Why does Canada accept foreign nationals through express entry?

  Express Entry has faster processing times of 6 months or even less for Canada PR Visa applications. It is for skilled overseas immigrants who intend to permanently settle in Canada with family.

• Is a job offer compulsory for Express Entry?

  No. A valid job offer from an employer in Canada is not required to be eligible under the Express Entry System.However, do keep in mind that you will get points under the CRS if you have a valid job offer.

• How many CRS points do I get if I have a valid job offer?

  • For NOC 00 jobs – 200 CRS points
  • NOC TEER 1, 2 or 3, or any TEER 0 other than Major group 00 – 50 CRS points

• How often are the Express Entry draws held?

  Typically, regular draws from the Express Entry pool are held every 2 weeks.

• If I am selected, how much time will I get to apply?

  IRCC has a specified timeline of 60 days to submit ITA - Invitation to Apply for shortlisted applicants.

• Is an Educational Credential Assessment necessary to apply under Express Entry?

  In order to gain points for your educational qualification under the Comprehensive Ranking System, you must have:

  • Gained an educational qualification in Canada
  • Have an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for your foreign education for your immigration application

• Why is it necessary to take a language test for Express Entry even if I can speak native English or French?

  A language test is necessary because for immigration, every applicant is assessed by the same standards irrespective of their language of origin, nationality, or ethnicity.

  The conditions for the language test include:

  • The candidate must take a standard test that is conducted by an objective third party. This ensures a fair and unbiased assessment of the candidate’s language skills.
  • Native speakers of English language or candidates from an English-speaking country, are also required to take a test. This holds good for those from a French-speaking country, or native French language speakers as well.
  • Candidates will have to submit third-party language results for all programs under Express Entry. The results of the language tests must be included in the Express Entry profile.
  • Language tests are also required for skilled immigration programs

• What are the language tests one can take to apply under the Express Entry program?

  Canadian immigration authorities accept the following tests for Express Entry:

  For English

  CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program – CELPIP-General

  IELTS: International English Language Testing System – General Training
  
  PTE Core: Pearson Test of English. You must take the PTE Core option

  For French

  TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français

  TCF Canada : Test de connaissance du français

• How can a candidate get more points under Express Entry if they have 2 or more degrees or diplomas?

  In order to get the full points for more than one education credential, the following conditions must be met:

  • The candidate must have at least one of the credentials for a program that is 3 or more years in duration
  • The candidate should have a valid educational credential assessment (ECA) for each credential
  • The order in which a candidate completes the credentials does not affect the points