EXPRESS ENTRY – WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

It is very common for potential immigrants to Canada to request our advice about the “Express Entry Visa.”  However, to refer to Express Entry in this way is not quite accurate.  Express Entry is not a visa.  Rather, it is an online, expedited system through which skilled workers can obtain the right to work in Canada and gain permanent residence.
 
The Express Entry system manages applications for three different federal immigration programs, as follows:
 
Federal Skilled Worker Program is for workers with foreign skilled work experience who score at least 67 points on their Express Entry profile.  Points are determined based on factors such as age, education level, work experience, having a job offer, having English and/or French language skills, among other things.
 
Federal Skilled Trades Program is for foreign nationals with qualifications and experience in a skilled trade.  Candidates must have at least two years of paid full-time experience in the last five years before applying, have a job offer for full-time employment for one year, and meet the language requirements.
 
Canadian Experience Class Program is for workers with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada during the last three years before applying.  Candidates for this program must also satisfy language requirements.
 
Eligible applications for the above programs are placed in pool.  Candidates with the highest scores are later invited to apply for permanent residence.  The Express Entry process can take as little as 6 months.  The application fee for permanent residence as of the time of this writing (August, 2021) is $1,325.00 for the main applicant, $1,325.00 for a spousal application, and $225.00 for a dependent child.
  
To find out if express entry is right for you, reach out to us at [email protected], Facebook messenger, or visit us at www.gradlaw.ca.
 
 *The above information is meant for general education purposes and is not legal advice nor does providing this information establish a lawyer-client relationship.  For legal advice particular to your needs, please contact our office to speak with one of our licensed immigration lawyers.