As Express Entry is an online-based application system for individuals who want Canada PR, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) assess your applications if you are eligible to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. Here are the steps to be followed to create your online profile on the Express Entry system:
Step 1: Take a Language Proficiency Test
As part of the immigration process, all applicants need to prove their proficiency in at least one of Canada’s two official languages. Skilled immigration applicants must provide test results of a government-approved language test for their Express Entry profile.
Step 2: Education Credentials Assessment
Foreign nationals who completed their education outside of Canada should have their post-secondary education assessed from an organization designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to ensure that the foreign education is equivalent to Canadian education. It is mandatory to obtain an educational credential assessment (ECA) for an individual if he is looking for Canada immigration under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The education requirement is not mandatory for the candidates applying under the Federal Skilled Trade Program or the Canadian Experience Class.
But if the candidates are looking to claim points for their foreign education in the Express Entry pool, it is pertinent for them to obtain their educational credential assessment (ECA) irrespective of the program under which they are applying. A successful evaluation can significantly increase the chances of a candidate’s accomplishment. Hence, it is suggested that all candidates under Express Entry programs should acquire a credential assessment.
Step 3: Knowing your National Occupation Classification (NOC) code
For successful Canada immigration through programs listed under Express Entry, one must be able to show his/her work experience, and this work experience must meet the definition of an occupation that is included in the database of Canada’s National Occupation Classification. You can find you NOC code here.
Candidates with the following skill level can apply for Canada immigration under the Express Entry system:
Skill Type 0 (Management Jobs)
Skill Type A (Professional Jobs)
Skill Type B (Technical and Skilled Trades)
Step 4: Eligibility criteria for Canada immigration under the Express Entry system
IRCC website has an official tool which enables one to check their eligibility for the Express Entry system. You can check your eligibility before applying for Canada immigration under the Express Entry program.
You must qualify these criteria before you use the tool:
- Taken a language test
- Know your NOC skill type or skill level under which you would be applying.
Step 5: Building your profile for Express Entry
Once the online tool determines that you are eligible to apply for Canada immigration under Express Entry, you can start creating your Express Entry profile. A candidate must include the following information in the profile for Express Entry:
- Identity
- Contact details
- Detailed educational history
- Detailed job experience
- Language proficiency
- Age
- Chance of adaptability to Canada’s lifestyle
- Family history
- Details of a spouse or common-law partner
- List of dependants (if any)
For successful profile completion, the candidate must also have:
- Passport or travel document
- National Occupation Classification (NOC) code (The occupation must match as described in the database of Canada’s National Occupation Classification)
- Language test results
- Foreign educational credentials assessment results (if necessary)
- A copy of written employment offer from a Canadian employer (if the candidate has been offered employment in Canadian organization)
- Proof of Provincial Nomination for Canada Permanent Residence (if the applicant has received a provincial nomination)
- Personal reference code from CIC’s eligibility verification tool. All the candidates will receive a code upon the successful use of the online tool.
To start building up your Express Entry profile here.
Step 6: Submitting your Express Entry profile
Once you have listed all the necessary information in your Express Entry profile, you are all set to submit it. After submitting the profile, the candidate will receive:
- An Express Entry profile number
- A job seeker validation code
Candidates would require these numbers for:
Registering for job Bank
They have received a nomination for Canada’s permanent residence from the provincial or territorial government.
The candidate’s Express Entry profile will be placed in the pool if it qualifies the requirements for one of the three economic immigration programs, may it be Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades or Canada Experience Class.
Note: Being listed in the Express Entry pool does not imply that a candidate is automatically invited to apply for Canada permanent residency. Once you enter the pool, each applicant gets a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. If your score meets the lowest score, which is set by IRCC during the periodic draw, you will receive an invitation to apply (ITA) to apply for Canada permanent residency.
Step 7: Registration with the Job Bank (if necessary)
This step is not mandatory for candidates applying for Canada immigration under the Express Entry system.
Step 8: Updating information (if required)
All applicants must keep their Express Entry profile up to date if:
- The nature of job changes
- They receive new language examination results
- They obtain a new educational degree
- There is any change in the family composition in terms of birth, death, marriage, divorce, or a child in the family is no longer a dependant.
The profile for the Express Entry system remains valid for a year. The Express Entry profile would be invalid in a year if:
- The candidate no longer meets the mentioned criteria for Express Entry or skilled immigration program.
- The candidate has received the Canada permanent residence invitation.
NOTE: Candidates who decline an invitation to apply for permanent residence, will see their profiles become valid again.
The profile in the Express Entry system remains valid even if the applicant updates the details on the profile.
Interested candidates feel free to contact our licensed Canada immigration consultants at Elaar Immigration, who would help you in all steps of your immigration journey.
