Introduction
The Express Entry system in Canada is intended to handle applications for permanent residency submitted by foreign nationals looking to establish themselves there. Programs at the federal and provincial levels are included. Prospective applicants must be aware of the primary distinctions between the federal and provincial Express Entry processes. Here’s a thorough rundown:
Federal Express Entry Streams: Overview and Administration
overseen by: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), a division of the federal government.
Applications for permanent residence are processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) using the Federal Express Entry system, a points-based immigration management system. The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) are the three primary economic immigration initiatives. An extensive rundown of each of these programs and the procedure as a whole is provided below:
FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program) eligibility requirements:
Job Experience:
A minimum of one year of consecutive full-time (or comparable part-time) experience in a skilled field in one of the National Occupational Classification’s (NOC) skill levels 0, A, or B within the previous ten years of employment.
Education:
At least a certificate in secondary education. An Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) must be completed in conjunction with foreign education.
Language Proficiency:
IELTS, CELPIP, or TEF test results demonstrating a minimum of level 7 in English or French on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).
Settlement Funds:
Evidence that they have enough money to sustain their family and themselves unless they are currently employed lawfully in Canada or have a contract with a Canadian company.
Factors of Selection:
Candidates are assessed by the FSWP using a points system (out of 100) that takes into account many aspects such as age, education, job history, linguistic proficiency, and flexibility. For eligibility, a minimum of 67 points must be obtained.
Qualifications for the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP):
Work Experience:
Within the last five years, a minimum of two years of full-time (or comparable part-time) work experience in a skilled trade is required.
Job Offer or Certification:
A legitimate offer of full-time employment for a minimum of a year, or a qualification certificate in that skilled trade from a provincial, territorial, or federal government agency in Canada.
Language proficiency requirements are at least CLB level 5 for writing and speaking and level 4 for reading.
Jobs in Skilled Trades:
Applicants must work in one of the main NOC categories, which include trades related to industrial, electrical, and construction; maintenance and equipment operation; supervisors and technical positions in the fields of agriculture, natural resources, and related production, processing, manufacturing, and utilities; chefs, cooks, butchers, and bakers.
Qualifications for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC):
Work Experience:
A minimum of one year of three years’ worth of skilled work experience in Canada in a profession covered by NOC skill levels 0, A, or B.
For NOC 0 or A occupations, a minimum CLB level 7 is required; for NOC B jobs, a CLB level 5 is required.
Education:
Post-secondary education earns extra points, although there is no set criterion for education.
Temporary Resident Status:
To be eligible to work in Canada, one must have acquired work experience while holding temporary resident status.
Express Entry Procedure Establishing a Profile for Express Entry:
Candidates fill out an online profile with details about their education, training, employment history, language proficiency, and other attributes.
Candidates who meet the requirements are ranked using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) and added to the Express Entry pool.
System of Comprehensive Ranking (CRS):
Candidates are ranked out of 1200 points by the CRS according to criteria like age, education, work history, language proficiency, and other considerations like a legitimate job offer or a provincial nomination.
Core human capital factors (up to 600 points), factors related to a spouse or common-law partner (up to 40 points), factors related to skill transferability (up to 100 points), and additional factors (up to 600 points, including job offer, French language proficiency, study experience in Canada, siblings living in Canada, and provincial nomination).
Request for Applications (ITA):
The IRCC chooses names from the Express Entry pool regularly and invites the top scorers to apply for permanent residence.
Upon acquiring an ITA, candidates have sixty days to finish their application.
Requesting Permanent Residency:
Send in a comprehensive application that includes all necessary paperwork, police records, medical reports, and evidence of money (if applicable).
Applications should be processed within six months after the date of submission.
Last Word:
Therefore, candidates who are approved receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and, if necessary, a permanent resident visa, along with any appropriate family members.
After that, new permanent residents can proceed to Canada and finish the landing procedure.
The goal of the Federal Express Entry system is to ensure that skilled immigrants may successfully integrate into Canadian society and contribute to the job market in a timely and efficient manner while also meeting Canada’s economic demands.
Provincial Nominee Programs, or PNPs, are the provincial express entry streams.
Management and Scope:
Overseen by: The IRCC in cooperation with the various provincial and territorial governments.
One important element of Canada’s immigration policy is the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs), which provide provinces and territories the authority to designate people who want to immigrate to the country and live in a particular province. Except for Quebec, every province and territory runs its own PNP, focusing on various needs and economic priorities through various streams. These initiatives are known as “enhanced” PNPs when they are integrated with the federal Express Entry system. An outline of PNP operations inside the Express Entry framework is shown below:
The Expression of Interest (EOI) System and How Provincial Nominee Programs Operate
A lot of provinces have an EOI mechanism whereby candidates declare their interest in being nominated by sending a profile to the provincial PNP.
Following an evaluation of the profiles, candidates may be invited to apply by provincial requirements.
How to Apply for a Provincial Nomination
Candidates apply directly to the province for a provincial nomination if they are invited.
The requirements differ depending on the province and stream, but they frequently center on things like prior work experience in in-demand fields, a legitimate job offer, education, and connections to the province.
Certificate of Nomination:
A certificate of provincial nomination is awarded to the successful candidates.
The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of the applicant is raised by 600 points for upgraded PNPs because the nomination is connected to the Express Entry system.
Request for Applications (ITA):
In the upcoming federal Express Entry draw, the substantial CRS bump from the provincial nomination practically ensures an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.
After that, candidates have 60 days to apply to the IRCC for permanent residence.
Analyzing and Making the Final Choice:
Following submission, the application is processed by IRCC, with a six-month processing objective.
After being accepted, candidates get a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), which allows them to travel to Canada and finish the landing procedure.
Important Provincial Programs for Express Entry Nominees
The following are some of the principal PNPs that are integrated with the Express Entry system:
1. The Human Capital Priorities Stream of the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) focuses on skilled workers in the Express Entry pool who meet the requirements for job experience, education, and language ability.
French-speaking skilled workers with excellent English language proficiency are eligible for the French-speaking skilled worker stream.
Workers having work experience in qualified skilled trades in Ontario are eligible for the skilled trades stream.
2. BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) Express Entry BC – Skilled Worker: For qualified individuals who have a job offer that is still pending in British Columbia.
For healthcare professionals who have job offers in British Columbia, Express Entry BC is available.
Express Entry BC – International Graduate:
For recent graduates with job offers in British Columbia from qualified post-secondary Canadian institutions.
3. The Alberta Express Entry Stream of the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) is open to applicants who have close ties to Alberta or who can assist in filling the labor market gaps in the province.
Provincial Stage: Can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months; varies greatly by province.
Federal Stage: The federal stage typically aims to complete the processing within six months of receiving the provincial nomination.
Important Variations Summarized Governing Authority: Provincial streams are jointly governed by the province governments and IRCC, while federal streams are entirely under the control of IRCC.
Criteria and Flexibility: While provincial streams give more flexibility for particular candidate profiles, federal streams have uniform criteria applied across Canada. Provincial streams, on the other hand, have customized criteria based on local needs.
CRS increase: For applicants who are finding it difficult to satisfy the federal cut-off scores, a provincial nomination can provide a significant increase to their CRS score.
Application Process: To access the federal pool, candidates in provincial streams may need to obtain a provincial nomination first. This adds another level of difficulty, but it also expands the chances available to individuals who meet certain requirements or have connections to a particular province.
Overall, there are two Express Entry streams—federal and provincial—that offer different features and benefits for obtaining permanent residency in Canada. Applicants can select the best stream for their situation by being aware of these distinctions.