First, you need to find out whether or not you’re eligible to apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada. This means that you need an evaluation of whether you are likely to satisfy the eligibility criteria for the FSWP, FSTP or the PNP. Le Canadex can provide you with a personalized Canadian visa eligibility assessment which will evaluate all of your relevant details and inform you if qualify for the FSWP, FSTP or PNP and, therefore, are eligible to apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada. To register for your Canadian visa eligibility assessment, CLICK HERE!

If you find out that you qualify for one of the Canadian immigration programs that is managed by the Express Entry system, the next step is to enter the necessary information in your online Express Entry profile. This includes details about yourself and your family members (if relevant), as well as your education, work experience, and level of French and English language abilities. Consequently, you will need to get a passing score on one of the approved evaluation exams for French (such as the TEF) or English (such as the IELTS), since you must enter language test scores that are less than two years old. If you are applying for Express Entry through the FSWP, you will also need to get an Education Credential Assessment (ECA) which will evaluate the education you received outside of Canada and determine if it is the equivalent of a similar education obtained inside Canada.

After you complete your online Express Entry profile, your information will be reviewed by an official from the Canadian immigration agency, who will confirm whether or not you qualify for the FSWP, FSTP or PNP and your Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CSR) score will also be calculated. If the Canadian immigration official determines that you satisfy the criteria, your file will be placed in the Express Entry pool of candidates for 12 months or until you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

There are three ways that you could receive an Invitation to Apply. The first way is if you have one of the highest CRS scores in the Express Entry pool (1200 points are possible). Another way is if you get a genuine offer of qualifying employment in Canada. The third route to an ITA is to be nominated for a PNP.

The next step is the issuance of the Invitation to Apply (ITA), after which you will be given 60 days to submit your Application for a Permanent Resident Visa to Canada with all of the required documents (such as the medical exam results, police certificates, proof of funds, etc.) and pay the Canadian Visa Application Fee. A decision is usually given within six months after the submission of your properly prepared application.

If your application for Express Entry is approved, you will be granted permanent resident status in Canada. You will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) letter and a Canadian permanent resident visa will be placed on a page of your passport. There is a small governmental fee that you will need to pay so you can also receive the plastic Canadian Permanent Resident Card to carry with you while you are living in Canada.

Permanent residency status will give you the authority to work, study, and live in Canada without time restrictions (i.e., permanently) and grant you many other benefits as well. For example, a Canadian permanent resident who has been living in Canada three years during a five-year timeframe and meets the other criteria can apply to become a Canadian citizen. Permanent residents and citizens of Canada also receive free or low-cost public healthcare, may attend Canadian educational programs and can sponsor close family members for a visa to Canada.