Mar 31, 2017 | Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Immigrate to Canada, In the News, Permanent Residency, Skilled Workers
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.
Mar 27, 2017 | Canadian Experience Class, Express Entry, Immigrate to Canada, Permanent Residency, Provincial Nominee Program, Skilled Workers
On March 24, Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) made an Express Entry draw and invited 3,749 candidates to apply for immigration to Canada. Candidates in the Express Entry pool with 441 or more Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). This is the second draw to occur this month, continuing the trend of two draws a month by IRCC. We see a slight increase in points from the last draw on March 1st, which had a lowest score of 434 and invited 3,884 candidates.
If you received an ITA, you are now able to submit an application for Canadian permanent residence for yourself and your family. Applicants who received an invitation are able to bring their spouses or common-law partners and any dependent children. Keep in mind that you must submit your complete application with all required documents within 90 days of receiving your ITA. To prevent delays or refusal of your application, it is important that you prepare your application accurately. Our immigration consultants can help you to determine what information is required and what documents you need to provide. If you need help preparing and submitting your permanent residence application or if you are interested in entering the Express Entry pool before the next draw, contact us to speak with a licensed immigration consultant.
How to apply for Express Entry
Individuals who wish to enter the Express Entry pool to possibly receive an ITA in the next draw will need to first determine that they are eligible for one of the three current economic programs. The first step to determine your eligibility is to complete our free online assessment. Our team of consultants will review and assess your qualifications to determine if you meet the requirements for an Express Entry application. If you are eligible you will be able to proceed with the next step towards making an application. This assessment will rank your minimum language requirement, skilled work experience and education level.
Candidates who meet the minimum requirements of the following economic programs may make an application to the Express Entry pool:
Certain Provincial Nominee Programs allow candidates to apply through the Express Entry pool. You may be required to enter the pool before or after receiving a nomination, depending on the requirements of the provincial program. If you meet the requirements of a Provincial Nominee Program, we can assist you in the process of entering the Express Entry pool and submitting an application to the province of your choice.
Oct 2, 2015 | Express Entry, Permanent Residency
LATEST DRAW FROM EXPRESS ENTRY ON OCTOBER 2, 2015
Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) has drawn applicants for the 18th time from the Express Entry pool this year. On October 2, 2015 CIC sent 1,530 invitations to apply (ITA) applicants in the Express Entry pool to become permanent residents within 6 months. On this draw specifically, candidates who scored a minimum of 450 or higher would have received an invitation to apply.
The previous draw on September 18th was the first since January 1, 2015 where applicants were selected and invited to apply without having a qualifying job offer with an LMIA confirmation.
Canada Express Entry (EE) Program
As of January 1st, 2015 Canada will only accept applications for permanent residence through the Express Entry program. Candidates who would otherwise qualify through any of the following 3 programs will be eligible to submit an application to show their interest in obtaining permanent residence in Canada:
– Federal Skilled Workers
– Canadian Experience Class
– Provincial Nominees
The Canada Express Entry program is points based, and is incredibly confusing. There are many variables, and candidates may apply as single, or with dependents to ensure they are awarded the highest number of points. Candidates will have to pass an English language test and have their educational credentials assessed and possess at least 12 months of full time paid skilled work experience.
Candidates who have previously worked or studied in Canada will be awarded additional points. Those candidates who have arranged employment offers or have been nominated through a Provincial Nominee Program will be among those who are selected as priority.
Submit your application to Express Entry pool
Contact our office to speak with an immigration consultant to determine whether you qualify to apply, and determine the number of points you would receive under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Our immigration consultants can help you prepare your submission and represent you to ensure your properly represented.
Mar 25, 2015 | Express Entry
On March 20, 2015 Citizenship & Immigration Canada made another round of selections and invited 1620 applicants to become permanent residents of Canada.
The candidate with the lowest score was 481 points. What does this mean?
The fact that Citizenship & Immigration Canada has now begun to select applicants with less than 600 points indicates that there are not many applicants in the Express Entry pool with approved job offers or LMIA certificates.
Candidates who are interested in making an application through the Express Entry selection system will not be required to secure a job offer to be selected. We recommend all those who are seeking to apply to contact our offices as soon as possible for an assessment of their points.
Feb 2, 2015 | Express Entry
Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) has made its first draw and invited 779 applicants to apply for immigration through the new Express Entry selection system. On Saturday January 31st, 2015 779 skilled workers who submitted their Express Entry were invited to apply for permanent residence. The lowest ranking candidate scored a total of 886 points, out of a total 1200.
This indicates that each candidate that was invited to apply was either working in Canada on an LMIA-based work permit, or had an arranged employment offer from a Canadian employer. The first set of 600 points are based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and whether they have a spouse or applying as single individuals. The remaining 600 points are awarded automatically if the candidate has secured a job offer in Canada (approved with an LMIA) or is already in Canada working with an LMIA-based work permit.
Under the new Express Entry selection system, skilled workers who want to apply for permanent residence must meet the minimum requirements of the current economic programs; Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Provincial Nominee. Candidates who are accepted into the Express Entry pool are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System which includes factors such as; age, education, work history, language proficiency and other factors which determine the likelihood of integrating into the Canadian society and making an optimal contribution to the economy.
Citizenship & Immigration Canada will continue to make invitations and select applicants for permanent residence. Those candidates who are in Canada on work permits, or have secured job offers will receive priority when it comes to their selection. However, candidates who are not in Canada, may still qualify.
Jan 1, 2015 | Express Entry
Express Entry, Canada’s newest immigrant selection system is now is now live and accepting applications from all over the world. Click here to learn more about the program and how we can help. You may also call our office at +416-665-3939 or Toll-free in North America 1-888-808-7338.
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