Express Entry
As of January 2015, skilled foreign workers have access to Express Entry – a new electronic application management system – which applies to Canada's key economic immigration programs:
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A portion of the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP).
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Express Entry is not a new immigration program; it is a new way for Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to manage economic immigration applications online.
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For prospective skilled foreign workers, Express Entry will result in faster processing times.
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Express Entry will also make it easier for candidates to secure a job before they arrive, by facilitating matches with Canadian employers.
With Express Entry....
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Provinces/Territories are able to use the Express Entry pool to find candidates for their Provincial Nominee Programs.
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Canadian employers have a greater and more direct role in economic immigration. Candidates in the Express Entry pool have the opportunity to increase their chances of being invited to apply by promoting themselves directly to employers.
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The Government of Canada’s new and improved Job Bank helps connect Express Entry candidates with Canadian employers,making economic integration faster once immigrants arrive in Canada.
The New Two-Step Application Process
Step 1: Online Express Entry Profile
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Potential candidates express their interest in coming to Canada by creating an Express Entry profile and providing information about their skills, work experience, language ability, education and other details.
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To qualify for the Express Entry pool, potential candidates must meet the criteria of at least ONE of three federal economic immigration programs:
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Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
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Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
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Canadian Experience Class CEC)
Job Bank & Self-promotion
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Candidates need to register with Job Bank if they do not already have a Canadian job offer or a Provincial/Territorial nomination.
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Candidates should also promote themselves and signal their presence in the Express Entry pool to employers, recruiters, private sector job boards, etc.
Express Entry Pool
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Candidates are given a score to determine their place in the pool using a Comprehensive Ranking System, which consider skills, work experience, language ability, education and other factors that we know contribute to economic success for immigrants once in Canada.
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While in the pool, candidates are required to update their profile to reflect changes in status, e.g. language, education, family composition, etc.
Step 2: Invitation to Apply (ITA)
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An Express Entry candidate can receive an Invitation to Apply if they:
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Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer (subject to the Labour Market Impact Assessment in place at that time);
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Are nominated by a province or territory; or,
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Are among the top ranked in the Express Entry pool based on their skills, education and experience.
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Candidates who receive an Invitation to Apply will have 60 days to submit an online application for permanent residence in one of the following programs:
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Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP);
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Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP);
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Canadian Experience Class (CEC); or,
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A portion of the Provincial Nominee Program PNP).
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CIC will process the majority of complete applications received within six months or less.