Canada’s Express Entry system allows for faster processing of permanent resident applications for qualified applicants of key economic immigration programs. Foreign workers in high-skilled positions may be eligible to apply under the Express Entry system if they meet the minimum requirements of one of the economic immigration programs. These programs include the Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, and some of the Provincial Nominee Programs.
Improvements to the Express Entry system will go into effect on June 6, 2017 and will award more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to candidates with strong French language skills and those who have siblings in Canada. The current Express Entry system awards points for either English or French, with a maximum of 136 points for first language and 24 points for second language. From June 6 on, additional points will be rewarded to French speakers, up to 30 extra points for those who also have English language skills.
Currently, no CRS points are awarded to applicants for having siblings in Canada. With this update, having a sibling who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident age 18 or older could earn you 15 additional points. Siblings must share at least one parent – mother or father – with the principal applicant or their spouse / common-law partner.
In addition to the addition of extra CRS points for language and siblings, applicants to the Express Entry system will no longer be required to register for Job Bank. Currently, applicants who do not have either a job offer or a provincial nomination are required to create a Job Bank account before they are placed in the Express Entry pool. This will no longer be the case as qualified applicants will now be automatically placed into the pool upon submission of their Express Entry profile. Those candidates without a job in Canada will have the option of registering for Job Bank to start their job search after submitting their online profile to Express Entry. Canadian employers will still be able to use the Job Bank – and other Express Entry recruiting methods – to search for potential candidates.
These updates to the Express Entry system will benefit qualified applicants, employers, and Canada as a whole. Allowing high-skilled workers to earn more CRS points means a higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Candidates with high French language ability are an asset to Canadian communities, especially for those who test high in both of Canada’s official languages. Having a sibling in Canada increases overall well-being and health of an individual as well as their adaptability. Allowing candidates to enter the pool without first having to register for Job Bank will increase their opportunity for receiving an ITA. Thus, these changes will be beneficial for everyone involved.
Our immigration consultants can assess your eligibility and determine how many CRS points you have. We will also guide you in increasing the number of points you have in order to obtain an ITA. Take our free online assessment to see if you meet the requirements for Express Entry and contact us to discuss your options for immigrating to Canada.
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