What is Express Entry?
Express
Entry is the new selection system for Canadian immigration, designed to select
skilled workers for immigration to Canada.
Express Entry is a completely electronic
process involving the federal government, provincial governments, and Canadian
employers. In order to best serve your needs, please choose whether you are a
potential candidate for Canadian immigration or a Canadian employer interested
in hiring skilled workers.
INTRODUCTION
TO CANADIAN IMMIGRATION PROGRAMME
Here`s good news for skilled professionals wishing to immigrate to the
`Land of Endless Opportunities`, Canada! Reports suggest, the country has a
huge demand for dentists and doctors even while those looking to make a move to
its soils may duly apply under its program involving the Federal Skilled
Workers.
The said program is basically meant for the trades-people, professionals, besides other trained migrants, who may not have any sponsorship from an employer, but who possess skills in vocations covered on the Priority Occupation List, meant for the class involving skilled worker visas.
It needs mentioning that the government employs a list for Priority Occupation with vocations believed to be in demand in the country. There is a BIG shortage of skills across many fields in the nation. Trained or Skilled workers are those who are picked up as permanent residents on the basis of their capacity to become financially well set in the country.
Skilled workers, who fulfill the requirements of the visa program, and who possess not less than one year of non-stop full-time, or corresponding part-time fully paid work experience, within the past 10 years, may duly submit an application for a visa, under the program meant for the Federal Skilled Workers. With a view to apply, the aspirants must also clear the official test meant for assessing their language proficiency.
If your profession finds mention on the list of Priority Occupation, you are well entitled for skilled immigration to the country, even if you do not have an offer of job from a Canada-based job-provider. With the processing times being rather quick, you would be in a position to gain admission into the country, within a very short duration.
The said program is basically meant for the trades-people, professionals, besides other trained migrants, who may not have any sponsorship from an employer, but who possess skills in vocations covered on the Priority Occupation List, meant for the class involving skilled worker visas.
It needs mentioning that the government employs a list for Priority Occupation with vocations believed to be in demand in the country. There is a BIG shortage of skills across many fields in the nation. Trained or Skilled workers are those who are picked up as permanent residents on the basis of their capacity to become financially well set in the country.
Skilled workers, who fulfill the requirements of the visa program, and who possess not less than one year of non-stop full-time, or corresponding part-time fully paid work experience, within the past 10 years, may duly submit an application for a visa, under the program meant for the Federal Skilled Workers. With a view to apply, the aspirants must also clear the official test meant for assessing their language proficiency.
If your profession finds mention on the list of Priority Occupation, you are well entitled for skilled immigration to the country, even if you do not have an offer of job from a Canada-based job-provider. With the processing times being rather quick, you would be in a position to gain admission into the country, within a very short duration.
SINP International Skilled Worker: Occupations
In-Demand
This SINP
sub-category allows skilled workers with experience in an in-demand
occupation to make an application for a SINP provincial nomination certificate,
which is then followed by an application for Canadian permanent residence.
Interestingly, applicants do not require a job offer in
order to make an application.
The
current occupations list contains 21 occupations across a range of industries,
notably in engineering, trades, agriculture, health care, and IT. To view the
full list of in-demand occupations, as well as full eligibility
requirements, click here.
This SINP
sub-category is a ‘base’ sub-category, meaning that it is not aligned
with the federal Express Entry immigration selection system. It is possible
that individuals who are not eligible for Express Entry (for example, because
of language ability) may be eligible for this SINP sub-category.
(Note: The
government of Saskatchewan’s website has recently stated that this sub-category
has accepted the maximum number of applications for 2016. However, the website
has stated this previously, only for the sub-category to reopen subsequently.
Therefore, it is possible that it will open again this year.)
MPNP for Skilled Workers
The MPNP
issues LAAs through two sub-categories of the Skilled Workers stream. On August
24, a total of 176 LAAs were issued to candidates through the Skilled Workers in Manitoba
sub-category, while
538 LAAs were issued through the Skilled Workers Overseas
sub-category. Under
the MPNP’s EOI points system, the province selects candidates under a ranking
system. In this draw, Skilled Workers in Manitoba candidates required 592
points (out of 1,000) in order to be issued an LAA, and Skilled Workers
Overseas candidates required 543 points.
The MPNP
for Skilled Workers aims to attract workers who have the skills needed in the
local labour market, and nominate them to receive Canadian permanent resident
visas to settle and work in Manitoba. These immigration options may be
particularly attractive to individuals who may not be eligible to
immigrate to Canada through the federal Express Entry immigration
selection system, as the eligibility requirements are rather
different. For example, the MPNP awards points for language proficiency
equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 4 to candidates in certain
occupations, a much lower threshold than what is required under the Federal Skilled Worker Class.
Under the
Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category, applications are accepted from
qualified foreign workers and international student graduates who are currently
working in Manitoba and have been offered a permanent job by their
employer in Manitoba. Skilled Workers in Manitoba are not subject
to a points-based assessment to determine their eligibility. To learn more
about eligibility for the MPNP Skilled Workers in Manitoba sub-category.
This
Skilled Worker Overseas sub-category is for skilled workers who may be outside
Canada but who can demonstrate a connection to the province. A points-based
system is used to assess candidates according to factors such as age, language
proficiency, work experience, education and adaptability. To learn more about
eligibility for the MPNP Skilled Workers Overseas sub-category and the points
assessment system.
BC PNP: Wide range of candidates invited
The
latest BC PNP draw saw a wide range of workers, graduates and entrepreneurs
invited to apply for immigration to Canada. Those individuals who were invited
had previously made an expression of interest in settling in BC, either through
the Skills Immigration Registration System (SIRS) or through BC’s Entrepreneur
Immigration stream pool. Overall, candidates were issued ITAs through a total
of five different BC PNP categories, some of which are aligned with the federal
Express Entry system.
The
minimum score required in order to receive an ITA decreased in the case of most
BC PNP categories for the August 24 draw, compared with the previous draw. The only exception is for
the Skills Immigration – Entry Level and Semi-Skilled category, under
which only two candidates received an ITA this time around. There were
significant decreases in the minimum score required across most of the other
categories.
To learn
more about eligibility requirements for BC PNP categories, click here. To find out what your score
might be under the SIRS, use the new and exclusive SIRS Calculator.
Options beyond Express Entry
“These
Provincial Nominee Programs in Western Canada have certainly been very active
recently, but it is interesting to note that of the two thousand or so
applications received or invitations issued in late August, the majority were
not for streams aligned with the federal Express Entry system,” notes Attorney
David Cohen.
“It is
important for individuals who are seriously interested in immigrating to Canada
to have their options assessed across a range of programs, not only those that
are processed through Express Entry. In many cases, an immigration opportunity
that is not widely known or publicized may be available.
“In
addition, and I am referring principally to the Saskatchewan program here, it
is important to prepare to submit an application in expectation of a category
reopening for new applications. For categories that tend to open and close
quickly, it has been shown time and again that advanced preparation is key.”
PNPs in Western Canada: An overview
of recent activity
|
BRITISH COLUMBIA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM:
AUGUST 24 DRAW
|
|||
|
STREAM/CATEGORY
|
MINIMUM
SCORE
|
NUMBER
OF INVITATIONS
|
ALIGNED
WITH EXPRESS ENTRY?
|
|
Express Entry BC – Skilled
Worker
|
135
|
46
|
Yes
|
|
Express Entry BC –
International Graduate
|
105
|
73
|
Yes
|
|
Skills Immigration – Skilled
Worker
|
135
|
20
|
No
|
|
Skills Immigration –
International Graduate
|
105
|
170
|
No
|
|
Skills Immigration – Entry
Level and Semi-Skilled
|
95
|
10
|
No
|
|
MANITOBA PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM: AUGUST 24
DRAW
|
|||
|
STREAM/CATEGORY
|
MINIMUM
SCORE
|
NUMBER
OF INVITATIONS
|
ALIGNED
WITH EXPRESS ENTRY?
|
|
Skilled Workers in Manitoba
|
592
|
176
|
No
|
|
Skilled Workers Overseas
|
543
|
538
|
No
|
|
SINP SUB-CATEGORY REOPENING: AUGUST 30
|
|||
|
STREAM/CATEGORY
|
# OF
NEW APPLICATIONS
|
CURRENT
STATUS
|
ALIGNED
WITH EXPRESS ENTRY?
|
|
International Skilled Worker –
Occupations in Demand
|
700
|
Not open for new applications
|
No
|
HOW EXPRESS ENTRY WORKS
- you
can now earn additional points for study in Canada
- a
valid job offer now only needs to be for one year, and some job offers no
longer need an LMIA
- the
amount of points you get for a job offer has changed
- you
now have 90 days to apply instead of 60.
Express Entry is used to manage applications for
permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:
- the Federal
Skilled Worker Program,
- the Federal
Skilled Trades Program, and
- the Canadian
Experience Class.
Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates
from the Express Entry system through their Provincial
Nominee Programs to meet
local labour market needs.
Ministerial
Instructions set out the
rules for governing the Express Entry application management system.
The Express Entry system has two steps:
Step 1) Potential
candidates complete an online Express Entry profile
Potential candidates will complete an online Express Entry
profile. This is a secure form that they will use to provide information
about their:
- skills,
- work
experience,
- language
ability,
- education,
and
- other
details that will help us assess them.
Those who meet the criteria of one of the federal
immigration programs listed above will be accepted into a pool of
candidates.
Anyone who does not already have a job offer supported by a Labour Market Impact
Assessment (LMIA) (if you need one), or a nomination from a province
or territory, must register with Employment and Social Development Canada’s
(ESDC) Job Bank. Job Bank will help connect Express Entry candidates with
eligible employers in Canada.
Candidates are also encouraged to promote themselves to
employers in other ways, such as using job boards, recruiters etc.
For a job offer to be valid in Express Entry and
receive points, employers will usually need an LMIA from ESDC (there are a
few exceptions).
There is no LMIA fee for permanent resident
applications.
Note:
If you meet the entry criteria for the Express Entry pool, you are not
guaranteed an invitation to apply for permanent residence. All applicants for
permanent residence also need to meet eligibility and admissibility
requirements under Canada’s immigration law (Immigration and Refugee
Protection Act).
Step 2) The
highest-ranking candidates in the pool will be invited to apply for permanent
residence
Candidates will be ranked against others in the pool
using a point-based system called the Comprehensive
Ranking System. Points are awarded using the information in their profile.
Candidates with the highest scores in the pool will be
issued an invitation
to apply. Candidates will be awarded points for:
- a
job offer, and/or
- a
nomination from a province or territory, and/or
- skills
and experience factors.
A candidate can get additional points for:
- qualifying
education in Canada
- a
valid job offer or
- a
nomination by a province or territory
These additional points can make a candidate rank high
enough to be invited to apply at the next eligible round of invitations.
If someone is invited to apply, they will have 90 days
to submit an online application
for permanent residence.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada will process the
majority of complete applications (meaning those with all the necessary
supporting documents) in six months or less.
Candidates can stay in the pool for up to 12 months. If
they do not get an invitation to apply for permanent residence within 12 months
of submitting an Express Entry profile, they may submit a new profile. If they
still meet the criteria, they can re-enter the pool. This will prevent backlogs
and ensure quick processing times.
WHO CAN APPLY —
SKILLED IMMIGRANTS (EXPRESS ENTRY)
Skilled immigrants are chosen for their skills and ability to contribute
to Canada’s economy.
Program eligibility
Express Entry covers three of our key economic immigration programs:
- the Federal
Skilled Worker Program,
- the Federal
Skilled Trades Program, and
- the Canadian
Experience Class.
If you are eligible to immigrate under one of the above federal
immigration programs:
- we will place
you in a pool with others who are also eligible,
- we will then rank you and the others using several
factors,
- if you are
one of the top candidates, you will get an Invitation to Apply
- if we invite you to
apply,
you can apply online
for permanent residence.
Through Express Entry, provinces
and territories will
also be able to nominate candidates in the Express Entry pool under their Provincial
Nominee Program where
applicable.
To be eligible for Express Entry, you must:
- meet the
requirements of one of the above programs, and
- create a Job
Match account with Job Bank, a database that can help match you with
employers looking for workers with your skills (unless you have a valid
job offer). To do so:
- go to the Job Match
sign-in page
- click the
“Sign up now!” button
- read the
privacy notice and click “I agree”
- follow the
instructions to create an account.
Note:
most job offers from an employer in Canada must be
supported by a Labour
Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). An employer goes through this process to
ensure there is a genuine labour market need before they can hire foreign
workers.
In some cases, your employer does not need an LMIA to support your job
offer. Find out more about which types of
jobs don’t need an LMIA.
You can use our online tool, Come to Canada, to see if
you meet the criteria to get into the Express Entry pool.
Language
You must show that you meet the minimum
language requirements for the
category you are eligible under and provide your language
test results from an agency
designated by IRCC in your Express Entry profile.
Your language
test results must be less than two years old on the day we get your
complete application for permanent residence.
Skilled work experience
According to the Canadian National
Occupational Classification (NOC), skilled work experience means:
- managerial
jobs (NOC skill level 0)
- professional
jobs (NOC skill type A)
- technical
jobs and skilled trades (NOC skill type B)
You must have at least 12 months of full-time, or an equal amount in
part-time, skilled work experience. Full-time work means at least 30 hours of
paid work per week.
REFERENCES
Article by Dr.Prabhav
Chauhan(BDS,MDS)
Contact email :
prabhav07mds@gmail.com
For more information and updates please visit. www.canadavisa.com/expressentry
Other sources : internet,newspaper(TOI 2015).
U can also visit : www.cic.gc.ca/english/express-entry
