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Express Entry is the selection system for Canadian immigration, designed to select skilled workers for immigration to Canada.
Canada Express Entry Visa is a completely electronic process involving the federal government, provincial governments, and Canadian employers.
➤ An applicant will need to register an “Expression of Interest” (EOI) to immigrate to Canada before filing an application for permanent residency under the Economic Class.
➤ The Expression of Interest is submitted online via the IRCC portal. An uploaded profile is created and enters a “pool” of applicants.
➤ On a monthly basis, a “draw” takes place to select the highest scoring profiles in the pool.
The Express Entry system was designed to primarily favour those applicants:
who are already in Canada as foreign workers,
who have a confirmed job offer with a Canadian employer,
or who have been selected by a provincial nomination program.
Since the introduction of Express Entry in Jan 2015, Pahl & Associates, has achieved exceptional success in representing clients who are UK based skilled workers and qualified as Federal Skilled Workers via the Express Entry route without the need for a prior Job offer or PNP nomination.
To qualify for Express Entry, all applicants will need to meet the criteria set out in ONE of the following immigration programs
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
In May 2023, IRCC introduced six new categories for Express Entry draws.
The new categories target candidates who have attributes that help IRCC meet its mandates to promote French outside of Quebec and to use immigration to strengthen Canada’s labour force and economy. The categories are:
➤ Healthcare
➤ Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
➤ Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
➤ Transport
➤ Agriculture and agri-food
➤ Strong French proficiency
Once an applicant has been selected from the Express Entry pool and received an ITA you will have 90 days to apply for permanent residence.
The main purpose behind Express Entry is to ensure faster and more efficient processing (within 6 months) once an ITA has been received and to match more closely the needs of the Canadian labour market .
In May 2023, IRCC introduced six new categories for Express Entry draws. This was expected following a change to the Immigrant and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) in June 2022 that grants the immigration minister the authority to issue ITA’s to candidates who have specific attributes, rather than an overall high CRS score.
The new categories target candidates who have attributes that help IRCC meet its mandates to promote French outside of Quebec and to use immigration to strengthen Canada’s labour force and economy. The categories are:
➤ Healthcare
➤ Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
➤ Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors
➤ Transport
➤ Agriculture and agri-food
➤ Strong French proficiency
The first category-based draw took place on June 28 and invited 500 healthcare professionals to apply. Since then, IRCC has invited more than 16,000 Express Entry candidates through category-based selection.
There are six selection factors to attain a minimum 67 points to enter Canada as a Federal Skilled Worker prior to applying via Canada Express Entry Visa route
In addition to the mandatory requirements relating to settlement funds and inadmissibility your application will be assessed on the following six selection factors relevant to Federal Skilled Worker candidates.
➤ Language
➤ Age
➤ Education
➤ Work Experience
➤ Job Offer
➤ Adaptability
You must show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family after you arrive in Canada unless you:
are currently able to legally work in Canada, and have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
This table shows the minimum amount you need to immigrate to Canada as of April 25, 2023. If you have more money, you should list the full amount in your profile or application.
Number of
family members
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars)
1 $13,757
2 $17,127
3 $21,055
4 $25,564
5 $28,994
6 $32,700
7 $36,407
If more than 7 people, for each additional family member $3,706
You must not be inadmissible to Canada on medical or criminal grounds
You must plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
If you are married or live with a common-law partner and that person also meets the above conditions, you can decide which one of you will apply under Express Entry as a principal applicant.
Any person interested in applying for Canadian immigration via the Canada Express Entry Visa route must enter the Express Entry pool with proven language ability and proof of Canadian educational equivalency. Entry into the pool does not guarantee permanent residence but is the first step in a comparison with others who are in the pool. A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will be used to calculate and compare candidates’ overall points. The maximum points obtainable are 1200, and awarded as follows.
➤ Age (maximum 110)
➤ Education (maximum 150)
➤ Language (maximum 160)
➤ Canadian work experience (maximum 80)
➤ Transferable skills (maximum 100)
➤ Additional Factors (maximum 600)
Candidates with the greatest points based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will be issued with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. The candidate must apply, with all relevant documents, within 60 days for permanent residence. Unselected candidates will remain in the pool for up to one year and, if not selected, the person will automatically drop out and must re-apply again.
It is essential to submit accurate information and documents througout the process. A recent report confirmed that 25% of applicants receiving an ITA were rejected due to submiting a flawed application. At Pahl & Associates we can minimise any chance of a refusal by accurately evaluating an applicant at the outset and ensuring that correct evidence is submitted once an ITA has been received by the applicant.
You will be asked to enter in your Express Entry profile the amount of money you will have to help you settle in Canada. This is to show that you can support yourself and any family who come with you to Canada.
You will only need to meet the settlement fund requirement if it applies to the program you are invited to apply under.
If you are invited to apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program, you will need to show that you meet the settlement funds requirement unless you:
➤ are currently authorized to work in Canada, and
➤ have a valid job offer from an employer in Canada.
➤ For proof, you must get official letters from any banks or financial institutions where you are keeping money.
Letter(s) must list:
➤ all current bank and investment accounts
➤ outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loansNote: You do not have to meet the funds requirement if you were invited to apply under the Canadian Experience Class.
The system currently asks all applicants to provide a proof of funds document. If you don’t need to provide proof of funds, you must upload a letter explaining either that you have been invited to apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or that you have a valid job offer.
Language testing—Skilled immigrants (Express Entry)
You must prove your language skills by taking an approved language test. To do this:
You must:
schedule your test with an agency approved by IRCC and pay the costs
enter the test results into your Express Entry profile (and the Personal Information Number, if the system asks for it)
Language tests accepted by IRCC.
You can take any of these approved language tests:
English
CELPIP: Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
you must take the CELPIP-General test
General-LS test for Express Entry is not accepted
IELTS: International English Language Testing System
you must take the General Training option
Academic option for Express Entry is not accepted
French
TEF: Test d’évaluation de français, including:
compréhension de l’écrit
compréhension de l’orale
expression écrite
expression orale
Your test results must be valid (less than two years old) when you:
complete your Express Entry profile
apply for permanent residence
The Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. Make sure that your language test results are valid for the same time period.
If your test results expire soon, you should re-take the test and update your Express Entry profile with your new test results.
Express Entry Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
There are a number of PNP programs that:
1. do not consider a candidate’s CRS score among their eligibility requirements; and
2. are open to candidates with no direct connections to Canada (such as a relative, job offer, or previous Canadian work or study).
The PNP route can be invaluable to Express Entry candidates and is an alternative option for candidates.
The majority of PNPs operate on a first-come-first-served basis and reach their quotas within a few days of opening An initial consultation combined with proactive preparation is essential for applying successfully.
Pahl & Associates attach great significance to Google Reviews received from our past clients as it helps potential clients to gauge our level of service and professionalism. We positively encourage you to view our client reviews.
Mr Pahl has given us the most amazing level of professional help, support and advice throughout the process of applying for a Canadian Parent/Grandparent Super Visa. As a result of his wise counsel we have had our applications approved much more quickly than we expected. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Thank you so much for your phenomenal expertise in securing my permanent residency to Canada, it was a pleasure to work with a true professional who made the process so simple and so incredibly. I wholeheartedly recommend your service to anyone seeking permanent residency. Very best regards
Balvinder has been extremely helpful in the process of obtaining permanent residency in Canada. It went a lot faster than I initially assumed and the process, through Balvinder's services, was very smooth. I can only reccomend his service!
Balvinder and the team helped immensely with putting my PR application together. Balvinder was always available to answer any questions or concerns, making the entire process easy and stress-free. 10/10 service - highly recommended!
Balvinder guided me through the process of applying for my Spousal Permanent Resident visa excellently, always being on hand to answer any questions I had. He made the whole process go smoothly and I would recommend him unreservedly.
Exceptional service. Mr Pahl guided us through the whole process, giving thorough explanation at each stage. I highly recommend!
Pahl & Associates delivered a truly painless & stress free experience for my application on a spousal permanent resident application as my wife is Canadian. I would highly recommend using their services to anyone wanting to immigrate to Canada! Thank you Mr Pahl & team!
TMy husband and I would absolutely, 100% recommend Pahl & Associates if you are considering making the move to Canada. We did not really know where to start when we decided to go for it, but Balvinder explained everything, was always able to answer all of our questions, and provide us with reassurance if we were ever feeling overwhelmed by the process. Pahl & Associates removed such a massive element of stress from the process for us, and ensured everything was always done correctly, on time and always ensuring no details were missed or overlooked. So pleased we decided to go with Pahl & Associates. Would definitely reccomend!
It is essential to consider strategies to improve your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score to improve your prospects of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
In doing so you must ensure that you representing yourself accurately in your Express Entry profile. Not only could it earn you extra CRS points, but there are also serious penalties for misrepresenting yourself.
The first thing to keep in mind is that the credentials required to enter the Express Entry pool are not necessarily the same as those that will maximize your CRS score.
Language
Language is also an area that can often be improved because the levels required to enter the Express Entry pool are significantly lower than the level that awards the maximum CRS points.
Language is also valuable because it counts for points in several sections of the CRS:
Education
Education CRS points may be improved by obtaining additional credentials, for example, completing another degree, or by obtaining additional Educational Credential Assessments (ECAs) for existing degrees.
Spouse or common-law partner might be a better Principal Applicant
If you have a spouse or common-law partner, it may be beneficial to compare your CRS scores as principal applicants.
Work Experience
Obtaining additional work experience or better documenting current work experience may both help increase a candidate’s CRS score.
Going beyond job title, and measuring the duties you performed against the duties listed in the NOC’s different occupations can help determine if your work is considered skilled or unskilled. This, in turn, can result in points you might have otherwise not claimed.
After selecting the right NOC for your work experience, the next step is calculating how much time you spent at each job. Points are awarded for full-time or equivalent part-time work experience.
Federal Skilled Worker Class candidates must have at least one year of continuous, skilled work experience in order to enter the pool. However, even non-continuous work experience can count toward CRS points.
Work Experience and Provincial Nominee Programs
Documenting your work experience as precisely as possible can also make you eligible for a nomination by one of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program, better known as PNPs. Express Entry candidates nominated by a Canadian province for permanent residence are awarded an additional 600 points toward their CRS score.
Provinces sometimes look for candidates with specific work experience that you may, in fact, have, but do not consider to be relevant because it is not related to your principal occupation.
Regardless of your CRS score, everyone in the Express Entry pool should be proactively preparing for an ITA or provincial nomination.
You might only have a CRS score of 299, but a provincial nomination could suddenly increase your score by 600 points, making an ITA in the next Express Entry invitation round all but guaranteed.
Candidates have only 90 days to submit their complete application after receiving an ITA, and several PNPs afford even less time. Having documents prepared in advance means you can hit the ground running as soon as you’re invited.
Book a consultation to assess your skill set and the likelihood of securing an invitation to apply for permanent residence.
Pahl & Associates Express Entry consultation service includes:
In-depth assessment related to Federal Skilled Worker eligibility points, mandatory requirements and alternative economic program ( FSTP, CEC, PNP)
Review and identify any potential issues related to inadmissibility and settlement funds
Assess your potential Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score and the probability of receiving an ITA
Review of historical data relating to CRS scores and trends which may impact your proposed application
Confirm key documents required to upload an Expression of Interest (EOI) and potential issues related to the same
Advise strategies to increase your CRS score and improving prospects of receiving an ITA
Book a consultation with Pahl & Associates to assess your Canada immigration enquiry. Consultation charges will be deducted from your final fees should you retain our services. We offer both online and phone consultations.
Are you planning to move to Canada from the UK? Feel free to contact Pahl & Associates to discuss your Canadian immigration options, eligibility requirements and realistic chances of potential success.
