Canada is a fairly inclusive country that welcomes thousands of immigrants yearly. Canadian Express Entry program is the biggest program that selects candidates for immigration. In 2022 alone, IRCC planned to invite 55,900 candidates to the country on permanent residence visas.
What is Express Entry Program?
Express Entry Program considers many factors of the individual to decide their eligibility to become a permanent resident of Canada. Note that permanent residence is different from citizenship and doesn’t allow voting rights to successful immigrants.
Still, this visa opens up your chances to become a citizen after you have spent a certain period in the country and have successfully attempted the Canadian citizenship test. Simply put, this residence status is the first step toward Canadian immigration.
How Does Express Entry Program Work?
You initiate your visa application under Express Entry Program by expressing your interest in obtaining permanent residence and based on your score, the Canadian government invites you to immigrate to the country.
First, you need to assess your eligibility by filling out the immigration assessment form. If you are found eligible, you will have to prove your learning skills and academic qualifications and complete your profile on the IRCC website.
After that, you have to wait for an invitation to apply (ITA) from IRCC. In response to this invitation, you have to submit your complete PR application (APR) to IRCC with fees. This step will also include you submitting your medical exam and police certificate. Next, IRCC will also ask for your biometrics.
After you have provided all these documents, IRCC will review them to give a final decision. This approval can take up to six months and if you are successful, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) along with a PR visa.
You need to complete your landing within one year of receiving the COPR. If you don’t get an ITA after the first submission, you should wait for a year before resubmitting your profile.
Who is Eligible?
Express Entry Program selects skilled workers for immigration. These workers should have an academic background and work experience in one of the many in-demand skills needed in the country. Other than assessing the background of these workers, the government considers many other factors including age, language skills, and family in Canada.
Likewise, you increase your chances of success if you have a job offer from a Canadian employer and you can prove your French skills. In the end, you need to give proof of funds to ensure the government that you can support yourself and your family for at least a year after immigration.
Take Away
Canada Express Entry Program is an immigration program set forth by the Canadian government to attract skilled workers to the country. Canada imitated the program from similar successful immigration practices of New Zealand and Australia.
You can be eligible for the program if you are older than eighteen years and can prove strong academic and professional background. You also need to prove English and/or French language proficiency to attain higher chances of success.
Other than Express Entry Program, you can also immigrate to Canada by marriage or investment.
