Permanent Residence
Express Entry program
Most applicants that come to Canada as permanent residents apply under the Express Entry program.
Express Entry is not an immigration program itself – it is an online system used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to manage applications for three federal programs:
- Canadian Experience Class: For individuals with recent Canadian work experience;
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: For candidates with foreign work experience; and
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: For applicants in eligible skilled trades.
Candidates are ranked against each other using a points-based system, and only the highest-ranking applicants are invited to apply for permanent residence.
The Express Entry process typically follows four key steps:
- Eligibility: You must meet the minimum requirements of one of the eligible programs.
- Create an Express Entry profile: You submit details about your age, education, language ability, and work experience.
- Receive a CRS score: Your profile is ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS);
- Invitation to Apply (ITA): Candidates with the highest scores are invited to apply for permanent residence.
- Submit permanent residence application: Once invited, you generally have 60 days to submit a complete permanent residence application with supporting documents.
Your CRS score determines your chances of receiving an invitation. Points are awarded based on factors such as:
- Age
- Education
- Language test results (IELTS/CELPIP)
- Skilled work experience (Canadian and foreign)
- Job offers or provincial nominations
In recent draws, competitive scores have typically been in the low-to-mid 500s, although this can vary depending on the type of draw.
How to improve your CRS score
There are several ways to improve your CRS score and increase your chances of receiving an ITA:
- Retaking your language test to achieve higher scores;
- Gaining additional skilled work experience;
- Completing a higher level of education;
- Applying for a Provincial Nominee Program, which can add 600 points.
Strategic planning can significantly improve your ranking in the pool.
Common mistakes to avoid
Common issues that can delay or negatively impact an Express Entry application include:
- Submitting incorrect or inconsistence information;
- Letting language test results expire;
- Failing to properly document work experience;
- Misunderstanding eligibility requirements.
Even minor errors can result in refusal or allegations of misrepresentation.
This is why we strongly recommend that you book a consultation with us today, so that we can go through the CRS tool together, as well as submit an application for permanent residence.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
If you complete a graduate degree (in other words, a master’s or PhD) from a university in Canada, you may be eligible to apply for a nomination for permanent residence.
You may also be eligible for a provincial or territorial nomination through the various other programs that the provinces or territories offer. In fact, there are more than 80 different provincial economic streams to choose from and selecting the right program is one of the toughest aspects of the process.
Once you receive a nomination, you get 600 points, which will place you in a strong position to submit a permanent residence application to IRCC.
But a mistake in your PNP application means that you won’t get a nomination from the province or territory, which is why it’s important to make sure you submit the strongest application possible.
Book a consultation with us today, so that we can hear your story and help you submit your Express Entry or PNP application.