Canada Express Entry System

What is the Express Entry System to apply for Canada PR visa?

The Express Entry system is an online and point-based immigration program of Canada, launched by Canadian immigration department, i.e. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in January 2015. The skilled professionals willing to apply for Canada PR Visa register their profile in the fastest Express entry Canada system.

Three Main Categories of Express Entry

The EE system manages the applications received for Permanent Residence (PR) under below three categories:

• The Federal Skilled Worker Program
• The Federal Skilled Trades program and
• The Canadian Experience Class

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): This category assess foreign skilled worker applicants based on factors like education, work experience, language proficiency, age, and adaptability to ensure skilled individuals contribute to Canada's economy.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This category aims to fill gaps in specific trades by assessing factors, i.e. work experience, language proficiency, and employment offers to fulfil Canada's labour market needs.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): It targets those with prior Canadian work experience, prioritizing applicants familiar with the country's job market and societal nuances.

Express Entry pathway for Canada PR in 2024

Canada is setting its sights on welcoming 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, and the Express Entry system is expected to be the primary pathway for skilled workers as it will be admitting 110,770 out of the total number. The EE system assigns points through a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) that considers work experience, education, and language skills. Express Entry is attractive for its focus on efficiency, with processing times aiming to be much faster than traditional immigration applications, i.e. as early as just 6 months once the PR application is submitted.

With nearly 50,000 ITAs issued half way mark in the year, there is lot to come when it comes to issuing ITAs to the Skilled and talented people from across the world. In first half of the year, the Immigration Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued the ITAs to different EE categories through PNP, CEC, all-programs, and Category-based immigration draws.

Furthermore, as the Express Entry has introduced category-based draws in 2024, it is now easier for applicants with low CRS score to get the Canada PR invitation provided they have experience in the in-demand occupations. These targeted invitations aim to address specific economic needs in Canada. This could potentially lead to lower points requirements for certain in-demand professions or for candidates with strong French language skills. This adds another layer of opportunity for hopeful immigrants seeking permanent residency in Canada.

How point-based System Work?

The IRCC assess the submitted profiles in the EE system, as per the points scored by the candidates based on six selection factors, i.e.  

1. Age (Maximum 12 points) ...
2. Language Ability (Maximum 28 Points) ...
3. Education Qualification (Maximum 25 points) ...
4. Work Experience (Maximum 15 points) ...
5. Adaptability (Maximum 10 points) ...
6. Arranged Employment (Maximum 10 points)

If you are an skilled worker applicant from overseas, in order to become eligible to apply for Canadian PR visa through Express entry Canada, you must obtain minimum 67 points out of 100, based on above-mentioned six-selection factors.

Category-based Express Entry draws

Canadian government hold the Express Entry draws regularly to issue invitation to apply for Canadian PR Visa to the candidates who meet or exceed the CRS Score or the CUT OFF for that particular draw.

However, in May 2023, Canada announced the category-based selection in the express entry draws announcing six categories for the year 2023. The categories announced for EE draws in 2023 are as follows:

1. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) occupations
2. Healthcare occupations
3. Transport occupations
4. Trade occupations
5. Agriculture and agri-food occupations
6. French-language proficiency

The CRS score in the category-based express entry draws often remain relatively low. Hence, the applicants with experience in the given occupations or proficiency in the French language have greater chance of receiving the invitation to apply for Canadian PR visa.

Hence, now, it’s the best time to apply for Canada PR visa for the aspirants.