What is Express Entry?

The Express Entry program is an online-based system that Canada uses to manage applications for permanent residence from skilled workers in Canada and around the world. You are not required to be in Canada to apply in any program under Express Entry. 

Individuals or families that are looking to live and work full time in Canada are welcome to submit their application. During the online application process, candidates will be asked questions regarding their nationality, age, language proficiency, education, and work experience. Eligibility to the Express Entry program will be determined based on the provided answers to the above-mentioned questions. Instructions about the next steps will be given, including filling out an online profile. 

Once the online profile is submitted and if they meet the requirements, the applicants will be accepted in the pool of candidates and ranked a CRS score (Comprehensive Ranking System) that will determine their position within the pool. Candidates with the highest scores receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply)* and have up to 60 days to submit the permanent residence application.

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If you do not meet the minimum required points to receive an Invitation to Apply, you can be nominated by a province. Being nominated by a province will help you get an extra 600 points that will guarantee to receive an invitation.

*Invitations to Apply are released on a frequent basis through “Rounds of Invitations”. These rounds of invitations are held on a regular basis and only the top candidates that meet all the requirements are issued ITAs.

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Process to Apply:

• Be eligible under one Express Entry program. 

• Create an online profile.

• Get a high score.

• Receive an Invitation to Apply.

• Submit your application.

• Receive your Permanent resident visa.

• Move to Canada.

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Three economic programs are managed by the Express Entry: Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class (each has different requirements). 

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Note: you must intend to reside in a province other than Quebec if you want to apply under Express Entry. 

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Requirements under the Canadian Experience Class

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• You must have acquired in Canada at least one year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time work experience in one or more occupations that are NOC 0, A or B. 

• You must have performed during your period of employment all the actions described in the lead statement for your occupation. 

• You must have performed during your period of employment most of the main duties as described in your NOC. 

• You must have scored CLB 7 in French or English for occupations that fall into NOC 0 or A. 

• You must have scored CLB 5 in French or English for occupations that fall into NOC B.

• Prove that you intend to live in a province other than Quebec.

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Note: it is not because you respect all the requirements that you will be invited to apply.

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Requirements under the Federal Skilled Worker Class

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• You must have, within the past 10 years, accumulated over a continuous period at least one year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent in part-time in an occupation that falls into NOC 0, A or B. 

• You must have performed during your period of employment all the actions described in the lead statement for your occupation. 

• You must have performed during your period of employment most of the main duties as described in your NOC. 

• You must have scored CLB 7 in French or English for occupations that fall into NOC 0 or A. 

• You must have scored CLB 5 in French or English for occupations that fall into NOC B.

• Prove that you intend to live in a province other than Quebec.

• You must score 67 out of 100 points to be eligible under this class. 

• Proof that you have enough money to sustain yourself and your family for the first few months. 

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Note: it is not because you respect all the requirements that you will be invited to apply.

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Requirements under the Federal Skilled Trade Class

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• Your occupation falls into one of these groups: 

  • Group 72, industrial, electrical and construction trades;

  • Group 73, maintenance and equipment operation trades;

  • Group 82, supervisors and technical occupations in natural resources, agriculture and related production;

  • Group 92, processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators;

  • Group 632, chefs and cooks; and

  • Group 633, butchers and bakers.

• You have two years' experience in your trade in the past 5 years.

• You have a Canadian Certificate of Qualification or;

• You have a valid work permit or;

• You have a valid job offer

• If you are not in Canada, proof that you have enough money to sustain yourself and your family for the first few months.

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In order to help you get the most suitable program to apply under, we put in place a free online form that will assess your qualifications. Feel free to fill it out and our immigration professional will come back to you within 48 hours.  

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Caregiver Program

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In 2019, the Government of Canada changed the requirements of the previous caregiver program. In the previous program, a caregiver would first make an application for a work visa and apply for permanent resident status after 24 months of work experience. 

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As of the moment, there are two programs under the Caregiver class:

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• Home Child-Care Provider Pilot;

• Home Support Worker Pilot.

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Requirements under the Caregiver Class for applicants already in Canada

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• Accumulate 24 months of work experience

• Have at least one-year of post-secondary education

• Score CLB5 on the English or French language test proficiency.​

Requirements under the Caregiver Class for applicants outside of Canada

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• Have at least one-year of post-secondary education.

• Score CLB5 on the English or French language test proficiency. 

• Have a valid job offer.

• Proof that the applicant is able to perform the work sought.

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If you would like to receive more information about the caregiver programs, please feel free to fill out our online assessment form or book a consultation. 

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Self-Employed Program

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A self-employed person is a foreign national who has relevant experience and has the intention and ability to be self-employed in Canada. You should be able to make a significant contribution to Canada in one of the following:

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• cultural activities

• athletics

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Note: many occupations fall under cultural activities and athletics (e.i music teachers, painters, illustrators, filmmakers, freelance journalists. Beyond that, the category is intended to capture those people who work behind the scenes as a self-employed person, for example, choreographers, set designers, coaches, and trainers). 

If you are unsure if your occupation falls under cultural activities or athletics, please email us and we will be happy to help you find out!

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Requirements under Self-Employed Program

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To be a member in the self-employed class, the applicant must have a minimum of two years of experience in cultural activities or athletics during the period beginning five years before the date of application for a permanent resident visa and ending on the day a determination is made in respect of the application, consisting of:

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1. in respect to cultural activities,

   1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in cultural activities, 

   2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world-class level in cultural activities, or

   3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in clause (A) and a one-year period of experience described in clause (B),

2. in respect to athletics,

   1. two one-year periods of experience in self-employment in athletics,

   2. two one-year periods of experience in participation at a world-class level in athletics, or

   3. a combination of a one-year period of experience described in clause (A) and a one-year period of experience described in clause (B).

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Other requirements

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• A self-employed applicant must demonstrate the intention and ability to create his/her own employment in Canada through cultural activities, athletics, or the purchase and management of a farm.

• A person's financial assets may be a measure of intent and ability to establish economically in Canada. There is no minimum investment level for a self-employed person. The capital required depends on the nature of the work.

• Applicants must have sufficient funds to create an employment opportunity for themselves and support themselves and their family members. This includes the ability to be self-supporting until the self-employment has been created.

• A demonstrated ability to support themselves and their family through their talents could be a good indicator of their ability to continue to do so in Canada.

• Must score at least 35 out of 100 points to be eligible. 

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If you would like to receive more information about the Self-Employed program, please feel free to fill out our free assessment form or book a consultation. 

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Agri-food Immigration Pilot

The Agri-Food Immigration Pilot helps address the labour needs of the Canadian agri-food sector. This pilot will run until May 2023.

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Note: Due to COVID-19, the opening of this program has been delayed until May 15, 2020.

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Occupations eligible under this Pilot:

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• NOC B 6331 - Retail butchers

• NOC C 9462 - Industrial butchers

• NOC B 8252 - Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

• NOC D 9617 - Food processing labourers

• NOC B 8252 - Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

• NOC C 8431 - General farm workers

• NOC D 8611 - Harvesting labourers

• NOC B 8252 - Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers

• NOC C 8431 - General farm workers

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Requirement Under this Pilot

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• have qualifying work experience

• have a qualifying job offer

• meet or exceed the minimum language requirements

• meet or exceed the educational requirements

• prove you have enough money to settle in the community

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If you would like to receive more information about the Self-Employed program, please feel free to fill out our online assessment form or book a consultation. 

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Provincial Nominee Program

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The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is designed to enable provinces and territories to support the immigration of people who:

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• have expressed an interest in settling in their province or territory

• the province or territory believes will be able to contribute to the economic development and prosperity of that province or territory, and Canada

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There are two kinds of nomination, the paper-based nomination, and the Express Entry electronic nomination. 

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Process under the Paper-Based Nomination:

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• Get nominated by a province.

• Apply under the Provincial Nominee Program at the federal level.

• Receive your permanent resident visa.

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The application process usually takes around 18 to 20 months under the paper-based nomination. 

Process under the Express Entry Electronic Nomination:

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• Applicant must be eligible under a program under Express Entry. 

• Get nominated by an Express Entry program under a Province.

• Receive 600 points under Express Entry.

• Receive an invitation to apply.

• Apply for permanent resident status.

• Receive your permanent resident visa.

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The application process usually takes around 18 to 20 months under the Express Entry electronic nomination. 

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If you would like to know if you are eligible to receive a nomination under a provincial program, please visit our Provincial Nominee page or fill out our free assessment form.

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