Canada welcomes thousands of newcomers each month through its Express Entry Program. The program was established in 2015 to address the issue Canada faces with regards to not having enough skilled workers in the country. Express Entry is an immigration program that aims to fast-track the applications of viable candidates who have the desired skills, education and experience to fill gaps in the Canadian labor market,
Do I Qualify?
Express Entry is undoubtedly the most popular route of applying for Canadian permanent residence. Its popularity is attributed to the fact that it can get you to Canada in as little as six months! However, not everyone is eligible to apply. The eligibility criteria are subject to change and is dependent on the specific applicant. However, there is a general list of criteria that includes but is not limited to age, occupation, level of education, experience in the designated occupation, language proficiency in either English or French, as well as your ability to adapt to life in Canada following immigration. How well a candidate fares in these categories are tallied according to the Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) which calculates a CRS score. An Express Entry draw takes place on a bimonthly basis, where the candidates with the highest CRS scores are issued with invitations to apply for permanent residence.
What If I Don’t Receive an ITA?
Being in the Express Entry pool and not receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence is usually an indication that your CRS score is too low. This may be disappointing, but your dreams of moving to Canada doesn’t have to come to an end. There is a range of things you can do to improve your CRS score. This includes retaking your language tests and preparing better to get an improved result, gaining some more experience in your field and going back to school to improve your education. The nice thing about the online Express Entry profile is that you can log back in at any time to update your details!
Next Stop: Canada!
Canada has a wealth of employment opportunities and with rapidly expanding industries, is in need of a continuous stream of people who are able to meet the needs of the Canadian labor market. Although you do not need a job offer to apply through Express Entry, it can definitely strengthen your application. Working in Canada has many benefits. This includes one of the highest minimum wages in the world, parental leave, a better quality of life as well as access to government-subsidized healthcare and education.
Moving to Canada can be exciting as well as daunting. Naturally, you would want to get there as easily as possible but beware of companies that sell you an idea that sounds too good to be true. It is imperative that the company you choose to handle your application has registered RCIC’s and is licensed to represent you. It can be quite difficult to tell the difference between the real and the fake these days, so take a look at our list of the top ten most trusted immigration agencies.