Express Entry Canada was created by the Federal Government to attract highly skilled candidates to live, and contribute to the development of Canada. What is the Express Entry program? How is it relevant to the Canadian immigration system? Let’s find out more with Le Immigration Group!
WHAT IS CANADA’S EXPRESS ENTRY?
Canada’s Express Entry was introduced by the Federal Government in January 2015. This is not only an immigration program but an immigration scoring system, used to manage applications for Canadian Permanent Residence.
Express Entry‘s scoring scale is transparent, rigorous with clear criteria. Therefore, the opportunity to immigrate to Canada under Express Entry is open to everyone, as long as the candidate meets the requirements of the program.
Potential candidates who meet the basic requirements for skills, experience, qualifications and language ability of one of the three programs below, will be admitted to the Express Entry pool and ranked based on a point scale, namely Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). On the average of every two weeks, the Federal Government will open a selection process and send Invitations to Apply (ITA) to the highest-scoring candidates, to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
EXPRESS ENTRY CLASSIFICATIONS
Canada Express Entry has an extremely diverse and flexible operating mechanism. It is divided into 3 programs which are:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
This program is for skilled workers who have experience working abroad, and meet the following conditions:
- Have working experience in occupations group 0, A, B according to Canada’s NOC occupational classification system, for at least 01 year (not necessarily in Canada) within the last 10 years.
- Meet the minimum language requirements (English/French): Min CLB/NCLC 7.
- Hold a degree that is equivalent to a Canadian degree.
- Passed the preliminary assessment with at least 67 points.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
The program is for vocational workers who want to become permanent residents in Canada. These applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Have working experience in Canada in occupations group B, according to the NOC occupational classification system, for at least 02 years within the last 5 years.
- Meet the minimum language requirements (English/French): Minimum CLB/NCLC 4 for Reading and Writing skills, and CLB/NCLC 5 for Listening and Speaking skills.
- Meet vocational requirements, or hold a recognized degree/certificate.
- Have a job offer (Full time) for at least 01 year, or have a degree/certificate issued by the province/territory.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
This is a program for skilled laborers who already had working experience in Canada, and meet the following conditions:
- Have working experience in Canada in the occupations group 0, A, B according to the NOC classification system, for at least 01 year within the last 3 years.
- Meet the minimum language requirements (English/French): group 0, A requires a minimum of CLB/NCLC 7; and group B requires a minimum of CLB/NCLC 5.
- Hold a Canadian degree or equivalent to a Canadian degree.
CRS: COMPREHENSIVE RANKING SYSTEM
CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) is Express Entry Canada’s scoring and ranking system based on certain criteria, thereby selecting the brightest and most suitable candidates for the economic immigration program in Canada.
The CRS ranking system evaluates a candidate’s profile based on a number of criteria such as skills, work experience, language ability, education level, and others. The maximum score of the CRS system is 1,200 points and is divided according to the following factors:
GROUP A. Human factors (maximum 460 – 500 points), including:
- Age
From 20 to 29 years old, the CRS system calculates the highest score. Applicants can get 110 points if they fall within this age range. In addition, if the applicant and his/her spouse or partner apply together, they can receive up to 100 points.
- Academic level
The total score that the candidate can receive based on the educational level is 150 points. Accordingly, academic points will be ranked for high school and above levels.
- Language ability
The CRS system calculates foreign language scores based on all four skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Therefore, the candidate will choose one of two languages (English or French) as the first language, and receive a maximum of 136 points (if single) or 128 points (if there is a spouse). The other language will be selected as a second language, and receive a maximum of 24 points if the candidate is single, and 22 points if the candidate is married.
- Working experience
The higher working experience, the more points the candidate will receive. However, points will reach a maximum of 80 points at 5 years of experience, and no more.
Specifically, please see the following table:
| Criteria | Score – Having a spouse or partner | Score – Single |
| Age | 100 | 110 |
| Academic level | 140 | 150 |
| Language ability | 150 | 160 |
| Working experience | 70 | 80 |
GROUP B. Having Spouse or Partner (maximum of 40 points):
The candidate’s ranking criteria is based on the ability and experience of the spouse or partner. Based on factors such as qualifications, language ability, work experience in Canada of a spouse or partner, a candidate can achieve a maximum of 40 points.
| Criteria | Score (up to 40 points) |
| Academic level | 10 |
| Language ability | 20 |
| Working experience in Canada | 10 |
Note: Group A + Group B = Up to 500 points (with/without a spouse or partner)
GROUP C. Skill conversion (maximum of 100 points) :
The skill conversion factor is for candidates who scored excellently in the Human Factors (at least 2 or more). Therefore, the bonus point can be up to 50 points for 2 skills, and 100 points for 5 skills.
| Academic level | Bonus Score (up to 50 points) |
| Good foreign language + a post-secondary degree | 50 |
| Canada working experience + Post-secondary qualifications | 50 |
| Working abroad experience | Score (up to 50 points) |
| Foreign Languages (CLB 7 or higher) + working abroad experience | 50 |
| Working experience in Canada + working abroad experience | 50 |
| Degree (for those in business related occupations) | Score (up to 50 points) |
| Good combination of foreign languages and qualifications | 50 |
Note :
- This only applies to applicants, not including spouses or partners.
- Group A + Group B + Group C = Max 600 points
GROUP D: Other factors (up to 600 points):
This group includes lots of factors that greatly affect the total CRS score. An example is the Provincial Nominee program. Accordingly, each province has programs linked to the Express Entry (EE-PNP) system. These programs are open to candidates who have the skills, qualifications and work experience in the province they want to live in, and/or in an industry that is attracting people to contribute to economic development in that province. When receiving a provincial nomination, the candidate will receive 600 points added to the CRS scale. Therefore the candidate will definitely receive an Invitation to Apply in the next round of federal selection.
| Criteria | Score for each (up to 600 points) |
| Nominated under Provincial Nominee Programs linked to Canada Express Entry | 600 |
| Senior Working Positions offered by Major Group 00 according to the NOC Occupational Classification System | 200 |
| The job offers in NOC occupation group 0, A or B | 50 |
| Complete a 1-2 year educational program in Canada | 15 |
| Complete a 3-year study, a Master, PhD, or an “Entry to Practice” degree in Canada. | 30 |
| French CLB 7 or higher, and English CLB 4 or lower. | 15 |
| French CLB 7 or higher, and English CLB 5 or higher | 30 |
| Have a relative (brother/sister) in Canada | 15 |
Note : Group A + Group B + Group C + Group D = Maximum of 1200 points
You can calculate your own CRS score at: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/crs-tool.asp
Classification of CRS scores of candidates participating in Express Entry Canada in March 2021
(source: www.canada.ca)
HOW TO REGISTER FOR CANADA EXPRESS ENTRY
To apply for Canada Express Entry, candidates need to fully follow these steps:
Step 1: Find out if you’re eligible to apply
Applicants can find out in two ways:
- Using the tool: http://www.cic.gc.ca/ctc-vac/ee-start.asp
Check out all criteria:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/apply-who-express.asp
Step 2: Prepare documents when eligible
Candidates will complete a Canada Express Entry profile online at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/skilled/profile.asp
This is for candidates to provide information regarding: skills, working experience, language ability, education, and other details for evaluation by the authorities.
Step 3: Submit online application
Candidates submit the application and necessary documents to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
The Canada Express Entry profile is the basis for IRCC to evaluate each candidate. Candidates who meet the requirements of the Express Entry program will be placed in the Pool of Candidates.
Step 4: Receive Invitation To Apply for Permanent Residence
The IRCC will send an Invitation To Apply (ITA) to the highest scoring ones in the Pool of Candidates. Applicants have 60 days to submit an application for Permanent Residence, from the date of the ITA.
Applications will be processed within 6 months or less.
SUPPORT FROM LE IMMIGRATION GROUP
Immigrating to Canada is the first choice of individuals or families who are looking to build a new life abroad. However, candidates will be suitable for different immigration programs, based on their conditions.
Moreover, the Express Entry program is very competitive, as it attracts skilled workers from all over the world, not just international students. If you are wondering whether you are eligible for the program, feel free to contact Le Immigration Group today. We will become your most reliable companion.
- Le Immigration Group is one of the leading Vietnamese companies in consulting and processing Canadian immigration documents.
- Le Immigration Group’s extensive network of employers can help candidates generate more CRS points through Job offers.
- Advising on the feasibility and strengths of candidate profiles under Canada Express Entry.
- Consult to apply for more suitable Canada immigration programs, if your profile is not very competitive.
Le Immigration Group is pleased to help you settle down in your new life in Canada. Should you need any advice on Canada Express Entry or other immigration programs from Canada, please leave your information in the registration form, or contact our Hotline: 0936 168 599 for quick support.
