Express Entry Profile

Overview

The Express Entry Profile is an electronic system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for permanent residence under several economic immigration programs. It is not an immigration program itself but rather a system for selecting candidates from a pool to invite them to apply for permanent residence. Creating a profile is the first step for many skilled workers who wish to immigrate to Canada.

How it works

Candidates who meet the criteria for one of the three federal economic immigration programs—the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or the Canadian Experience Class (CEC)—can submit an Express Entry Profile. This profile includes information about their skills, education, work experience, language ability, and other factors. Based on this information, candidates are awarded a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. Periodically, IRCC conducts Express Entry draws, inviting candidates with scores above a certain threshold to apply for permanent residence. An invitation to apply (ITA) is valid for 60 days, during which time the candidate must submit a complete application with all supporting documents.

Who it's for

The Express Entry system is designed for skilled workers who have the intention of residing outside the province of Quebec. It is suitable for individuals with foreign work experience looking to immigrate directly, international students who have graduated from a Canadian institution and gained Canadian work experience, and tradespersons with the appropriate qualifications. Essentially, it targets individuals who can contribute to the Canadian economy and are ready to integrate into Canadian society.

To be eligible to create an Express Entry Profile, candidates must meet the minimum requirements of at least one of the following federal economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP):

  • Skilled Work Experience: At least one year of continuous full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in the last 10 years in an occupation classified under NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
  • Language Ability: A minimum score of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in English or French.
  • Education: A Canadian secondary (high school) or post-secondary certificate, diploma, or degree, or a foreign credential assessed by an authorized agency to be equivalent to a Canadian credential.
  • FSWP Points: Score at least 67 out of 100 points on the FSWP selection factors grid.

• Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

  • Skilled Work Experience: At least one year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in Canada in the last three years in an occupation classified under NOC TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
  • Language Ability: CLB 7 for NOC TEER category 0 or 1 jobs, or CLB 5 for NOC TEER category 2 or 3 jobs.
  • Intention to reside: Plan to live outside of Quebec.

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):

  • Language Ability: A minimum CLB 5 for speaking and listening, and CLB 4 for reading and writing in English or French.
  • Skilled Work Experience: At least two years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) skilled work experience in a skilled trade within the last five years.
  • Job Offer or Qualification Certificate: A valid job offer for at least one year OR a certificate of qualification in that skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority.
  • Intention to Reside: Plan to live outside of Quebec.

Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Candidates are ranked in the Express Entry pool using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

While creating an Express Entry profile typically does not require uploading documents, candidates must have the following information and, in some cases, valid results or reports ready, as these will be required if an Invitation to Apply (ITA) is received:

• Passport or travel document: Valid and up-to-date for all applicants.
• Language test results: Official results from designated language testing organizations (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP for English; TEF, TCF for French). These results must be valid at the time of profile submission and, ideally, when an ITA is received.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report: For education obtained outside Canada, an ECA report from an IRCC-approved organization (e.g., WES, ICAS, CES) is required to verify its equivalency to Canadian education standards.
• Provincial Nominee Certificate (if applicable): If nominated by a Canadian province or territory under an Express Entry stream.
• Job offer letter (if applicable): A valid written job offer from a Canadian employer, supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in most cases, or LMIA-exempt. The job offer must be for permanent, full-time employment.
• Proof of funds: Evidence that the applicant has sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family members upon arrival in Canada, unless they have a valid job offer or are currently authorized to work in Canada and have arranged employment.
• Civil Status Documents: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, death certificates (if applicable), and national identity documents.
• Police certificates: Required from every country or territory where the applicant has lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
• Medical Exam: Confirmation of having undergone an immigration medical examination from an IRCC-approved panel physician.

The application process for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry involves several key stages:

1. Determine Eligibility: Ensure you meet the criteria for at least one of the three federal economic immigration programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), or Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
2. Gather Documents & Information: Collect all necessary documents, including language test results (IELTS, CELPIP, TEF, TCF), Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report for foreign education, and identify your NOC TEER category.
3. Create an Express Entry Profile: Submit an online profile on the IRCC website, providing details about your age, education, work experience, language ability, and other factors. You will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.
4. Enter the Express Entry Pool: Your profile will be entered into the Express Entry pool, where it will be ranked against other candidates based on your CRS score.
5. Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA): If your CRS score is above the cut-off in a periodic Express Entry draw, you will receive an ITA for permanent residence. An ITA is valid for 60 days.
6. Prepare and Submit Permanent Residence Application: Within the 60-day window, complete the online application for permanent residence, upload all required supporting documents, pay the government fees, and submit the application. This is a critical stage requiring meticulous attention to detail.
7. Biometrics & Medical Exam: You will receive instructions to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a designated service point and undergo an immigration medical examination by an IRCC-approved panel physician.
8. Police Certificates: Obtain and submit police certificates from any country or territory where you have lived for six months or more since the age of 18.
9. Application Processing: IRCC will review your complete application, conduct background checks, and may request additional information or an interview.
10. Decision: If your application is approved, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a permanent resident visa (if applicable). You will then need to complete your landing in Canada.

Candidates can include their family members in their Express Entry profile and subsequent permanent residence application. Eligible family members typically include:

• Spouse or common-law partner: Legally married spouse or a partner who has been living with the principal applicant in a conjugal relationship for at least one year.
• Dependent children: Biological or adopted children of the principal applicant or their spouse/common-law partner, who are under the age of 22 and do not have a spouse or common-law partner of their own. Children aged 22 or older who have been financially dependent on their parents due to a physical or mental condition since before the age of 22 may also be included.

Including family members will affect the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score (usually positively if they have strong language or education) and will increase the required proof of funds and government processing fees.

An Express Entry Profile itself does not grant work rights in Canada. It is an expression of interest to immigrate permanently. Only upon receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and successfully completing the permanent residence application process, leading to the issuance of a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), will individuals become permanent residents with full work rights in Canada.

However, some applicants may already have valid work permits (e.g., Post-Graduation Work Permit, employer-specific work permits) that allow them to work in Canada while their Express Entry permanent residence application is being processed. It is important to maintain valid temporary resident status throughout the permanent residence application process.

The Express Entry system is a direct pathway to Canadian Permanent Residence (PR). By successfully navigating the stages from profile submission, receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), and submitting a complete and accurate permanent residence application, eligible candidates will be granted Permanent Resident status.

Once PR status is obtained, individuals gain most of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens, including the right to live, work, and study anywhere in Canada, and access to social services. After meeting residency obligations (living in Canada for at least 1095 days in a 5-year period), permanent residents may also be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship.

While completing an Express Entry profile is relatively straightforward, refusals for the subsequent permanent residence application (after an ITA) can occur due to several reasons:

• Misrepresentation: Providing false information or omitting material facts in the profile or application.
• Incomplete application: Failing to provide all required documents or information within the 60-day ITA window.
• Failure to meet eligibility criteria: Even after receiving an ITA, if officers determine the applicant did not truly meet the minimum requirements of an Express Entry program.
• Police or medical inadmissibility: Failing background checks or being deemed medically inadmissible to Canada.
• Insufficient funds: Not demonstrating sufficient settlement funds if required.
• Expired documents: Submitting expired language test results, ECA reports, or passports during the application stage.
• Loss of status: Allowing temporary resident status to expire while the permanent residence application is in process, if applicable.

It is crucial to ensure all information is accurate and consistent, and all required documents are valid and submitted on time.