Canada immigration
If you are seeking a new life in Canada, the Express Entry Program is the fastest way for you to immigrate to Canada. The program organizes and processes the applications of prospective immigrants who wish to become Permanent Residents of Canada. In Canada immigration is the problem but some guys make it easy to get it.
How can you apply for Express Entry?
Applying for the Canada PR Visa process through the Express Entry Program involves a two-step process:
- Submit an Expression of Interest in the Express Entry Pool
- Submit your Canada PR Visa application after receiving the Invitation to Apply
Before you initiate the first step of the Express Entry Program, you must have:
- Appeared for IELTS and received a valid score
- Received a positive educational credential assessment from a designated body like WES in Canada
Who is eligible for the Express Entry Program?
The ideal candidate for the Express Entry Program is someone who has a college degree, sufficient skilled work experience, and is proficient in either English or French.
You must qualify under any one of the programs below to apply under the Express Entry Program:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Federal Skilled Trades Class
What are the costs involved in the Express Entry Program?
You would need to pay stage-wise for the Express Entry Program. The costs involved are as follows:
- Language tests: CAD 250 approximately
- Educational Credential Assessment: CAD 200 approximately
- Biometrics: CAD 85 per person
- Government fees: CAD 1325 per adult and CAD 225 per child
- Medical examination fees: CAD 450 per adult and CAD 250 per child
- Police Clearance Certificates: CAD 100 approximately per country
You do not need to pay any fees to submit your EOI in the Express Entry Pool. You would need to pay the Government fees only when you submit a completed Canada PR Visa application.
If you apply for a provincial nomination, you would also need to pay the provincial immigration fees.
Apart from the above fees, you will also need to show settlement funds. The settlement fund is not to be paid to the Canadian Govt. You need to show proof of funds to assure the immigration authorities that you have enough funds to take care of yourself and your family in Canada. The number of settlement funds needed depends on the size of your family.
| No. of family members | Funds required |
| 1 | CAD 12,960 |
| 2 | CAD 16,135 |
| 3 | CAD 19,836 |
| 4 | CAD 24,083 |
| 5 | CAD 27,315 |
| 6 | CAD 30,806 |
| 7 | CAD 34,299 |
For each additional family member that you include in your Canada PR application, you must pay CAD 3,492.
Do you need a job offer for the Express Entry Program?
A job offer is not necessary to apply under the Express Entry Program. A huge chunk of selected candidates under this program do not have a job offer from Canada.
Getting a job offer from Canada can be beneficial to your Canada PR Visa process. A job offer can enhance your CRS score by 50 to 200 points which can help get you an Invitation to Apply faster. Your job offer must be accompanied by a positive LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) if you want to claim these points. You cannot claim points for an informal offer of employment from Canada.
You can calculate Canada CRS score by using a CRS calculator.
How long does Express Entry take?
From submitting your profile in the Express Entry Pool to receiving a Canada PR visa, the process may take as less as 6 months. However, that is not true for all cases.
Once you submit your Express Entry profile, it remains active in the Express Entry Pool for 12 months. If you do not receive an Invitation to Apply within these 12 months, your profile expires. You will need to submit a fresh EOI to continue with the Express Entry Program. A higher CRS score in the Express Entry Pool ensures that you successfully receive an ITA to apply for the Canada PR Visa Process.
Once you receive an ITA, you get 60 days to submit an application for your Canadian Permanent Resident Visa.
What is better: Express Entry Program or Provincial Nominee Program?
There is no single answer to this question. Whether you should opt for the Express Entry Program or a PNP depends completely on your background and CRS scores. Most of the Provincial Nominee Programs require that you must have a valid profile in the Express Entry Pool. There are no costs involved in submitting an EOI profile, hence it does not hurt to have a valid profile in the Pool.
If your CRS score does not meet the current cut-off, then applying for a provincial nomination is a great idea. Getting one can boost your score by 600 points.
What is the age limit for the Express Entry Program?
There is no age limit for Express Entry applicants. If you are over 45, then your chances may be slim as you would not be able to score any points for age. However, you can make up for the lost points by getting a job offer from Canada.
You can claim the maximum points for age if you are between 20 and 29 years.
Can you apply for the Express Entry Program twice?
One applicant cannot have more than one profile in the Express Entry Pool. However, if you are married, you can have two profiles-one for yourself and the other for your spouse in the Express Entry Pool.
You can resubmit your profile if you do not receive an invitation within 12 months of submitting your EOI.
When can you make changes to your Express Entry profile?
If you have not yet received an Invitation to Apply, you may still make changes to your Express Entry profile. For example, if you retake your IELTS and get a better score, you can always update these changes in your profile. However, make sure the information that you put in your Express Entry profile is true and accurate.
When can you not make changes to your Express Entry profile?
You will no longer be able to make changes to your Express Entry profile if:
- You are ineligible
If you do not meet the eligibility criteria of the Express Entry Program, you will not be able to make changes to your Express Entry profile. You will be able to submit a new application once you meet the eligibility requirement of the program.
- You have received an Invitation to Apply
Your Express Entry profile will get locked once you receive an Invitation to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. When submitting your Canada PR Visa application, you must submit all supporting documents to support your claims in your Express Entry profile.
