Canada Permanent Residency Requirements, Application and Guidelines

Canada Express Entry Program

Introduced in 2015, the Canada Express Entry Program is the new online system designed to handle the Canada PR immigration applications and select skilled workers to fill up the dearth in the local labor market. The implementation of this online system entirely transformed the management system of Canada’s Permanent Residence visa applications. The program has not only shortened the application processing time but also synchronized the three major Canada immigration programs under one roof. Prospective candidates must be eligible for one of the three Canada economic immigration programs stated below: –

Federal Skilled Workers Program [FSWP] – This economic immigration program allows a skilled worker to apply for Canada PR based on their age, experience, education and language proficiency. The program works on a point based system which requires you to secure a minimum 67 points to qualify.

Federal Skilled Trades Program [FSTP] – This program is designed for individuals to apply for permanent residence who are possessing skills in a specific trade.

Canadian Experience Class [CEC] – The program is applicable for overseas workers who have worked in Canada for a minimum of 1 year and wishes to become permanent residents of Canada.

Apart from these three programs the Express Entry system manages the immigration application of a few Provincial Nominee Programs [PNP].

How to apply for Express Entry?

Applying for Canada Express Entry requires the prospective candidates to be well conversant with the complete process. An in-depth analysis of the program is the primary prerequisite. Potential skilled workers must submit an Express Entry profile for permanent residence in the Express Entry pool. The program is a point based system where each profile is assigned a CRS [Comprehensive Ranking System] score. Eligible candidates are ranked for permanent residence application depending on this score in the Express entry pool. In the following segments, we will construe explicitly on the Express Entry profile creation and Comprehensive Ranking System.

Creating Express Entry Profile

According to the trend and the point systems, it is a clear indication that the Express entry program favors applicants who are very fluent in English and French, young having good education and work experience. To be eligible to create an Express Entry profile you must undergo a language exam and complete your Education credential assessment. To qualify in the language proficiency category, you must write the IELTS exam. For ECA [Educational Credential Assessment] you must get your education credentials assessed by a Canadian assessing authority for claim equivalency as per the Canadian education standard. Completing both the language exam and ECA you must calculate if you are reaching 67 points. If you meet all these three aspects, you will be able to create your Express Entry profile.

Create your Express Entry profile based on the important factors like your age, total years of work experience, highest educational qualification, language exams, spouse factors etc. You must learn about the right NOC code from the Canada national occupation list that is suitable according to your work profile. The Express Entry profile must be created based on the NOC code. Once your profile is created you will be granted a CRS [Comprehensive Ranking System] score out of 1200 on each parameter mentioned above.

What is a Comprehensive Ranking System?

The Comprehensive Ranking System or CRS is based on points awarded to a potential applicant on factors such as age, education, experience, language proficiency, and other factors. There is a total score of 1200 points out of which points are allotted to the candidates. The system evaluates the Express Entry profile of each candidate and bestows a rank to the Express Entry profile based on the total score. Candidates can work towards improvising the CRS score from time to time and update their Express Entry profile until the profile is selected for invitation.

Canada Job Bank

After submitting the profile, you will receive an Express Entry profile number and a job seeker validation code. With these details, you must link your Express Entry profile to the Canadian job bank. Canada job bank is a database which gives you a chance to match your profile with the job requirements posted by the Canadian employers. Potential candidates may get in touch with prospective employers here and explore the job opportunities available in Canada. If a candidate can secure an employment offer with an LMIA [Labor Market Impact Assessment] clearance, they can claim additional points for a job offer. That will heighten their chances to receive a quicker invitation from CIC for permanent residence through one of the economic immigration programs.

Invitation to Apply [ITA] for PR

The candidates will the highest ranks are shortlisted at every draw and issued an invitation to apply [ITA] for Canada PR. Under Canada Express Entry program, Citizenship and Immigration Canada [CIC] issues an invitation to the candidates. The strongest of the Express Entry profiles with the topmost CRS scores are considered for selection. Once you receive an invitation to apply for PR you must ensure to prepare your documents and application form and submit them online within a span of 90 days.

You must take utmost care while completing the final stage of the application. Verify the online application thoroughly to avoid any slip-ups. After the application submission, you will not be able to alter any information. At this stage, you must complete your Police clearance and medical examination. Complete the PR visa fee payment online. Wait for the decision of your case officer on your application. If your application is approved, you become a Canada permanent resident. If your application is declined, you may create a fresh Express Entry profile after a certain amount of time and give a second attempt.

Canada Express Entry Process Time

There is no specific timeline for immigration programs. As the processes involve a lot of intricacies and steps, any immigration program you apply for will take a considerable amount of time. Canada Express Entry program can take around 7 to 12 months or even beyond these based on various factors like your language exam score, ECA, CRS score, the cutoff points etc.

Canada Express Entry Fee

The total application fee charged for the Canada Express Entry program is CAD 1040. The processing fee is CAD 550 and the right of Permanent Residence fee is CAD 490. The same fees are applicable if you include your spouse in your application. For a dependent child, the application fee is CAD 150. There is no right of Permanent Residence Fee applicable for a dependent child.

You can pay the Permanent Residence fee when your application for PR is approved by the CIC. To avoid any delays in the process and at the later part, you can also pay the Permanent Residence fee along with the application fee while submitting the PR application. If your Canada PR application is denied, Permanent Residence fee will be refunded to you.

This comprehensive information about Canada Permanent Residence Visa is compiled optimistically to enlighten our readers about the budding opportunities of permanent settlement in Canada. Considering the massive demand for Canada Immigration, we have attempted to elaborate the step by step process to apply for Canada PR with as much lucidity as possible. Winding up the post here leaving a note of alacrity for our readers and prospective aspirants looking forward to Canada Immigration.