Looking to establish permanent residency in Canada? The land of the maple leaf is eagerly awaiting you!

Discover everything you need to know about the Express Entry Program in Canada and its various pathways to obtaining permanent residency.

Every year, thousands of people use Express Entry to make a fresh start in Canada. The country’s landscapes and quality of life attract individuals from all over the world, whether they’re coming alone or with family.

There are numerous immigration programs tailored to the diverse profiles of individuals looking to settle in the country. Several options are available for obtaining permanent residency in Canada (excluding Quebec), based on your background and professional experiences. Among these options, the Express Entry Program is a popular choice among candidates!

EXPRESS ENTRY: A DIRECT PATH TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY

The Express Entry Program is one of the pathways to permanent immigration in Canada. It is designed for individuals seeking to settle in Canada on a long-term basis, in a province other than Quebec.

As Quebec is not part of this program, it’s not possible to use Express Entry to settle there. However, you can choose any other province in Canada, each offering various advantages. This is particularly ideal if you’re looking to thrive in an English-speaking culture !

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The Express Entry Program operates through invitations, which are issued based on your registration in a candidate pool.

Once you’re registered in the candidate pool, you receive a score based on criteria such as age, work experience, language skills, and education level.

Invitations are sent out at regular intervals by the Canadian government through invitation rounds. These rounds may be general or targeted towards specific programs.

If you have a sufficient score, you could be invited at any time to submit your application for permanent residency.

Express Entry includes several sub-programs with different criteria. Your profile determines the pathway for which you may be eligible or have the highest chances of success.

Note that each sub-program requires demonstrating certain language skills. These skills are verified through language tests, usually valid for two years.

CANADIAN EXPERIENCE CLASS

The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) is for skilled workers who have gained qualified work experience in Canada.

To be eligible, you must meet certain criteria, including:

• Having worked in Canada for at least 1 year (1,560 hours) within the last 3 years, either full-time or part-time, in a paid job classified as NOC skill levels 0, A, B, or C.
• Having worked in Canada while adhering to regulations, meaning you had valid temporary worker status and work authorization on Canadian soil.
• Meeting language requirements in both English and French. The minimum required level is 7 if your job falls under NOC skill level 0 or A, and 5 if it falls under NOC skill levels B or C.

SKILLED WORKERS PROGRAM

The Skilled Workers Program is for skilled workers who have acquired work experience abroad. The program requires:

• Having gained at least 1 continuous year of paid work experience in the last 10 years, in a job classified as NOC skill levels 0, A, B, or C.
• Achieving a minimum score of 7 in English and French language tests, both in speaking and writing.
• Holding a degree from Canada or abroad. You must be able to provide proof of degree attainment and attendance at a secondary institution.

TRADESPERSONS PROGRAM

The Tradespersons Program is designed for skilled workers in specialized trades who wish to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

To be eligible for the Tradespersons Program, you need to meet the following conditions:

• Meet language requirements in English and French: have a minimum level of 5 in speaking and 4 in writing.
• Have worked for at least 2 years in the 5 years prior to your application, either full-time or part-time, in a specialized paid job.
• Have a valid job offer for at least 1 year or a certificate of qualification in the specific trade issued by a provincial or federal authority.

APPLICATION FEES: WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL?

The fees for the Express Entry Program are the same as those applied to any permanent residency application.

You can create your profile and register in the candidate pool for free. Therefore, there are no fees to pay if your profile is not selected.

If you’re invited to apply for permanent residency, you’ll need to pay a processing fee of $850, along with $515 for permanent residency rights if the process is successful. These fees cover the primary applicant and their common-law partner.

If you have dependent children, you need to add $230 per child.

CHOOSING A PROVINCE

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is for skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada in a specific province. These individuals must contribute to the province’s economic growth. The program does not apply to the province of Quebec.

The Provincial Nominee Program is not exclusive to Express Entry and can also be integrated into other immigration programs.

If you’re going through the Express Entry process, you can submit your provincial nomination application in two ways:

1. Apply for provincial nomination through an Express Entry stream of the province of your choice. If nominated by the province, you can create an Express Entry profile and register in the candidate pool, indicating that you’ve been nominated.
2. Alternatively, you can directly create an Express Entry profile and specify the province you’re interested in. The province can then send you an “expression of interest.”

In either case, to be eligible for a Provincial Nominee Program, you must meet the criteria of the chosen province and be eligible for one of the three Express Entry programs.

The Express Entry Program is one of the most popular ways to obtain permanent residency in Canada. Except for the Canadian Experience Class category, it has the advantage of not requiring previous work experience in the country to be eligible. Depending on your profile, you can easily assess your eligibility chances for one of the programs.