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Express Entry is Canada’s online system used to manage applications for permanent residency (PR) for skilled workers. It covers three main immigration programs, each designed for different types of applicants. Here's a breakdown of the application process and the categories under Express Entry:

1. Express Entry Process

• Create an Online Profile: Applicants must submit an online profile that includes details like work experience, education, language skills, and other personal information.
• Eligibility Check: Based on your profile, you will be assigned a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Candidates are then placed into a pool, and those with the highest scores are invited to apply for PR through Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS): Points are awarded based on factors such as:
• Age
• Education level
• Work experience (in Canada or abroad)
• Language proficiency (English and/or French)
• A valid job offer or nomination from a provincial program
• Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): Candidates with the highest scores in regular draws will receive an ITA. Once invited, applicants have 60 days to submit their full PR application.
• Processing Time: Most applications are processed within 6 months.

2. Categories of Express Entry

Express Entry manages applications for three key programs:

This program is for skilled workers with foreign work experience. To qualify, applicants must meet certain minimum requirements:

• Work Experience: At least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in the last 10 years.
• Language Skills: Proof of language proficiency in either English or French (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP for English, or TEF for French).
• Education: Must have completed a credential equivalent to a Canadian secondary or post-secondary diploma. Applicants need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if the education was completed outside Canada.
• Other Factors: CRS score also considers adaptability, such as a valid job offer, spouse’s qualifications, and ties to Canada.

This program is for skilled workers with experience in a skilled trade. To qualify:

• Work Experience: At least two years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years.
• Trade Qualification: A valid job offer for full-time work or a certificate of qualification in a skilled trade issued by a Canadian authority.
• Language Proficiency: Minimum language proficiency (CLB 5 for speaking and listening, CLB 4 for reading and writing).
• Education: No specific education requirement, but education can still help increase CRS points.

This program is for applicants who have work experience in Canada. The eligibility requirements include:

• Work Experience: At least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within the last three years.
• Language Proficiency: Proof of language proficiency in English or French.
• Education: No minimum education requirement, but Canadian education or an equivalent foreign degree assessed through an ECA can boost CRS scores.

3. Additional Pathways:

• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Candidates in the Express Entry pool may be nominated by a Canadian province or territory. This nomination adds 600 points to their CRS score, virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply.
• Job Offer: While a valid job offer from a Canadian employer used to add significant points to the CRS score, particularly if supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), as of January 2025, IRCC has removed LMIA-related points for Express Entry. This change was introduced to maintain the program's integrity and fairness, addressing concerns over fake job offers.

4. Other Important Factors

• Adaptability: Points are awarded for factors like a spouse’s education, language skills, and any relatives in Canada.
• Settlement Funds: Federal Skilled Worker and Federal Skilled Trades applicants need to show they have enough funds to support themselves and their families when they arrive in Canada, unless they are already working in Canada or have a valid job offer.

Summary:

Overall, Express Entry is a competitive points-based system designed to fast-track the applications of skilled workers who can contribute to the Canadian economy. The system’s efficiency and transparent ranking make it one of the most popular pathways to Canadian permanent residency.