Express Entry Program
What is the Express Entry System to apply for Canada PR visa?
The Express Entry system is an online and point-based immigration program of Canada, launched by Canadian immigration department, i.e. Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in January 2015. The skilled professionals willing to apply for Canada PR Visa register their profile in the fastest Express entry Canada system.
Three Main Categories of Express Entry
The EE system manages the applications received for Permanent Residence (PR) under below three categories:
Federal Skilled Worker (FSW): This category assess foreign skilled worker applicants based on factors like education, work experience, language proficiency, age, and adaptability to ensure skilled individuals contribute to Canada’s economy.
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): This category aims to fill gaps in specific trades by assessing factors, i.e. work experience, language proficiency, and employment offers to fulfil Canada’s labour market needs.
Canadian Experience Class (CEC): It targets those with prior Canadian work experience, prioritizing applicants familiar with the country’s job market and societal nuances.
How point-based System Work?
The IRCC assess the submitted profiles in the EE system, as per the points scored by the candidates based on six selection factors, i.e.
- Age (Maximum 12 points)
- Language Ability (Maximum 28 Points)
Education Qualification (Maximum 25 points) - Work Experience (Maximum 15 points)
Adaptability (Maximum 10 points) - Arranged Employment (Maximum 10 points)
If you are an skilled worker applicant from overseas, in order to become eligible to apply for Canadian PR visa through Express entry Canada, you must obtain minimum 67 points out of 100, based on above-mentioned six-selection factors.
Category-based Express Entry draws
Canadian government hold the Express Entry draws regularly to issue invitation to apply for Canadian PR Visa to the candidates who meet or exceed the CRS Score or the CUT OFF for that particular draw.
However, in May 2023, Canada announced the category-based selection in the express entry draws announcing six categories for the year 2023. The categories announced for EE draws in 2023 are as follows:
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) occupations
- Healthcare occupations
- Transport occupations
- Trade occupations
- Agriculture and agri-food occupations
- French-language proficiency
The CRS score in the category-based express entry draws often remain relatively low. Hence, the applicants with experience in the given occupations or proficiency in the French language have greater chance of receiving the invitation to apply for Canadian PR visa.
Hence, now, it’s the best time to apply for Canada PR visa for the aspirants.