So you want to make the move to Canada, eh? You’ve got your heart set on becoming a permanent resident and embracing all the great aspects of Canadian life from universal healthcare to stunning natural scenery. The good news is that Canada welcomes over 300,000 new immigrants each year through programs like Express Entry that make the application process straightforward for skilled workers. The bad news is that straightforward doesn’t mean easy—there are still many steps to navigate to submit a successful application. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to migrate to Canada through the Express Entry system so you can make your Canadian dream a reality. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying poutine, watching hockey, and seeing those maple leaves in person.
Qualify for Canada PR Through Express Entry
To immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, the first thing you need to do is make sure you qualify. This means meeting the minimum requirements for a Canada PR visa.
To be eligible, you’ll need work experience, education, language skills, and enough points in the Express Entry pool. You’ll need at least 1 year of skilled work experience in the past 10 years, though 3+ years is even better. You should have a university degree or diploma. And you’ll need to prove your proficiency in English or French, Canada’s official languages.
Once you’ve confirmed you qualify, create your Express Entry profile. This will enter you into the applicant pool, where you’ll be ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System. The higher your score, the better your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply.
To boost your score, look for ways to improve your core human capital factors – things like your age, education, official language skills, and Canadian work experience. You might take additional language tests to strengthen your proficiency, gain more work experience in Canada’s in-demand fields, or pursue further education.
The Express Entry system runs draws from the pool regularly, issuing ITAs to the highest-ranked candidates. If you get selected, you’ll have 90 days to submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residence.
If your ITA expires before you get an invitation, don’t lose hope. Rebuild your profile and keep trying – Express Entry has helped over 200,000 people achieve their dream of immigrating to Canada. With determination, your invitation will come!
Create an Express Entry Profile
To get the ball rolling on your Canadian immigration, you’ll need to create an Express Entry profile. This is your first step to becoming a permanent resident through one of the Express Entry programs.
First, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for one of the programs – Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class or Federal Skilled Trades. If you do, you can create your Express Entry profile at no cost.
Log in to your Express Entry account and provide some key details like your name, address, date of birth, language test scores, work experience, education, job offers, etc. Be prepared to enter information about your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children, if applicable.
Your Express Entry profile is valid for 12 months. During this time, you’ll receive an Express Entry CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score based on the information in your profile. Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for Canadian permanent residence.
Express Entry uses a points-based system to assess and score your profile. Factors like age, education, language ability in English and/or French, and work experience are considered. The higher your score, the better your chances of getting an Invitation to Apply.
To maximize your CRS score, look for ways to improve your language test scores, gain more work experience in Canada or abroad, obtain a valid job offer, and get a post-secondary degree or training/certification. The key is to make your Express Entry profile as strong as possible to get selected from the pool of candidates.
With some work and persistence, you’ll be well on your way to calling the Great White North your new home. The opportunities for you and your family in Canada are endless!
Improve Your CRS Score
To improve your CRS score and get invited to apply for permanent residence in Canada, there are a few key steps you can take.
Increase your language skills
Strong English and/or French language skills can boost your CRS score significantly. Focus on improving your language proficiency by taking additional language classes or practice tests like IELTS or CELPIP. A higher language score means more CRS points.
Gain more work experience
Have you been working in your field of expertise for at least a year? Additional years of skilled work experience will increase your CRS score. Staying in the same high-skilled occupation and progressing in your career is ideal. Look for opportunities to take on more responsibility or get a promotion to build your experience.
Obtain a provincial nomination
Securing a provincial nomination is one of the best ways to gain an additional 600 CRS points and get invited to apply for PR. Research the provincial nominee programs (PNPs) across Canada to find one that matches your skills and experience. Some PNPs do not require a job offer, so you have a good chance even without a pre-arranged job.
Get a valid job offer
If you obtain a permanent, full-time job offer from a Canadian employer, you can earn between 50 to 200 additional CRS points depending on the position. Network, apply to jobs you’re interested in, and leverage professional connections in Canada to find employment. Make sure any job offer is valid for at least 6-12 months into the future to claim CRS points.
By actively working to strengthen your language skills, gain quality work experience, obtain a provincial nomination, and secure a long-term job offer, you’ll put yourself in the best position to boost your CRS score and get invited to apply as an Express Entry candidate. With time and persistence, you can achieve your goal of immigrating to Canada.
Get Invited to Apply for Canada PR
Once you’ve submitted your profile and received a score of 440 or higher, you’ll want to start preparing for an invitation to apply for permanent residence. This is when the real excitement begins!
Check your Express Entry profile
- Double check that all the information in your profile is accurate.
- Update your profile if anything has changed like your work experience, language scores or family information.
- Make sure you have provided relevant documentation to support your claims. The government will thoroughly review your application when you apply, so you’ll want everything to be in order.
Improve your CRS score (if needed)
If your score is on the lower end of the range, consider ways to boost it to increase your chances of getting an ITA. Some options include:
-Retaking your language tests to achieve higher scores. Even small increases can help.
-Gaining additional work experience. Each year of skilled work experience can earn you more points.
-Exploring provincial nomination programs. Securing a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your score.
-Researching opportunities for a job offer. Having a valid job offer backed by a positive LMIA can earn you an additional 200-600 points depending on the skill level.
Be prepared to act quickly
Once you receive an invitation to apply, you’ll only have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residence. The government issues ITAs by ranking the highest-scoring profiles in the Express Entry pool at the time of the draw. If you miss the 60-day deadline, you go back to the pool to await another draw and chance to be invited.
When the exciting day comes that you receive an ITA, you’ll want to be ready to hit the ground running! Having prepared thoroughly, you’ll be able to promptly submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residence. The final step to living and working in Canada is almost within your reach!
Submit the PR Application and Get the Visa
Once you receive an invitation to apply in Express Entry, it’s time to submit your permanent residence (PR) application. This final step requires providing additional documents to prove your eligibility.
Submit Additional Documents
To obtain your Canada PR visa, you’ll need to upload several key documents to your Express Entry profile within 60 days of receiving an invitation to apply:
- Police certificates from all countries you’ve lived in for 6+ months since age 18 to show you have no criminal record.
- Medical exam results to prove you are in good health.
- Proof of funds to demonstrate you can support yourself in Canada.
- Job offers (if any) from Canadian employers.
- Educational credential assessments to verify your foreign education and skills.
Complete Medical Exam
Undergo an immigration medical exam with a designated doctor in your country. The exam tests for health conditions that could be a burden on Canada’s healthcare system. Most people pass—it’s really a formality. But be prepared to provide additional tests or doctor’s notes if needed.
Final Step: Getting Your Visa
If your PR application is approved, congratulations! Your passport will be stamped with a confirmation of permanent residence (CoPR) document, which serves as your Canada PR visa. You now have a legal status as a permanent resident of Canada.
Within a year, you must make arrangements to ‘land’ in Canada, meaning entering the country to activate your PR status. Once landed, you can apply for a PR card as proof of your new status, allowing you to re-enter Canada freely.
The final step of getting your Canada PR visa and eventually landing as a permanent resident is life-changing. After months or even years of effort, you’ve finally achieved your goal of securing a future in one of the world’s most immigrant-friendly countries. The opportunities for you and your family in Canada are now endless. Welcome home!
Conclusion
So there you have it, the key steps to make your Canadian dream a reality through Express Entry. While the process can seem daunting, if you meet the eligibility criteria and take it step by step, you’ll be enjoying poutine and cheering on the Maple Leafs in no time. Canada has so much to offer, from breathtaking natural scenery to vibrant, diverse cities with a high quality of life. The opportunity for a fresh start in a new place is an exciting prospect. Express Entry provides a straightforward pathway to make Canada your new home. Take that first step and create your Express Entry profile – it could be life changing! A whole new adventure awaits you.
