Since January 2015, Canada has integrated all skilled immigrants into the Express Entry System. The difference between the new system and the previous skilled immigration system is that applicants need to create their online profiles and enter the candidate pool to express their intention to immigrate. The system will make a draw in certain period and choose the candidates with higher points. At present, all applications except for paper provincial nominations, family sponsorship, caregiver pilots, refugees, etc. are all incorporated into the Express Entry System.

All applications for the Express Entry System are submitted electronically and online, and all materials need only be scanned (unless specifically requested by the visa officer).

At present, most of Canada’s immigration quotas are allocated to the Express Entry. The candidate pool can be entered at any time without an upper limit. The Immigration Canada usually ranks every two weeks through the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), and invites applicants who reach the CRS cut-off points. After receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA), Most of the applications will be processed within half a year. It can be said that the Express Entry is the right way to emigrate to Canada.

 

Express Entry Classes

 

Steps to apply Express Entry

  1. Enter the Express Entry pool

Not all applicants can enter the Express Entry system. Only applicants who meet the three categories of federal skilled worker, Canadian experience class, and federal skilled trades can enter. There are two things need to be aware. First, federal skilled worker must conduct a self-assessment according to the self-assessment points standard. Only applicants who have achieved at least 67 points are eligible to enter the pool. Canadian experience class and federal skilled trades do not need to self-assess. Second, applicants who are nominated by a Canadian province (PNP) can receive an additional 600 points in the comprehensive ranking system.

  1. Create an account and wait for the invitation

Applicants create profiles into MyCIC account, submit online and wait for the invitation.

  1. Apply for Provincial Nomination (PNP)

If the score in the comprehensive ranking system is too low after entering the candidate pool, applicants may consider applying the program of employer with job offer or provincial nomination to obtain 600 additional points. Once this is obtained, the invitation cut-off points can basically be reached. The applicant will usually receive an invitation to apply within one month.

  1. Invitation from Immigration

When the applicant’s score reaches the invitation score line, the applicant can obtain an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

  1. Applicant submits completed application

The applicant can submit a completed application after being invited by the Immigration Canada.

 

Misunderstandings when prepare to immigrate

  1. Go to the remote provinces

Some applicants choose to go to provinces (regions) other than Ontario and BC in order to obtain immigration status as soon as possible, which is not a perfect decision in the long run. On the one hand, policies in remote areas are changing rapidly, their ability to absorb immigrants is very limited, and their policies are very unstable. In addition, career opportunities, employment resources, and network resources in marginal areas cannot be compared with large urban circles such as Toronto and Vancouver. In addition, the immigration policy in Ontario and other places is not worse than that in remote provinces. There are also many ways to help international students who have insufficient CRS points in the Express Entry to improve their scores. Therefore, applicants are not advised to seek employment in remote provinces in order to obtain their status, and it is not recommended to study in remote provinces for purpose of immigrate.

  1. Find a job with high salaries

Many applicants spend too much time looking for a job after graduation and focus on seeking a job with high salaries or a higher job title. They think that job title and salary are the main considerations for immigration. In fact, this is also a misunderstanding. As long as the job description meets the requirements of the Express Entry, you should immediately start the job and accumulate working experience. Canadian recruitment places great value on work experience. Students should use summer holidays to find internship opportunities as soon as possible.

  1. Jobs must be professionally matched

The Express Entry does not require international students to work with their majors. However, if the background education and the position applied for are very different, the authenticity of the position will also be questioned by the Immigration Canada. Therefore, it is recommended to seek professional help when look for a job and accept a related job offer to check whether the job duties meet the requirements of the Express Entry to avoid delaying subsequent applications.

  1. Precautions for International student

International students who want to immigrate in the future need to pay attention to:

    • Since the second year of school, you should participate in more internal and external activities, prepare resumes, and actively seek opportunities for volunteers and internships.
    • After graduation, it is better to consult with professionals for more information and resources from employers to assist in planning immigration pathways and matching employers’ resource.
    • Do not set immigration as your only goal. Pay attention to future career development, life planning, and career development. Look for opportunities in big cities and the most economically active areas in Ontario.
    • Never use the fake documents in your immigration application, or you may cause irreparable losses.
    • Finding a job and choosing a major should be more pragmatic. Any industry has top and bottom levels. Choose a profession and industry that suits your strengths. Start with basic work (as long as it meets the immigration requirements). Learn and find opportunities in your work.

 

How to improve CRS points

  • Improve Language Score

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) only scores each individual language ability, not total scores. The four individual scores of listening, speaking, reading and writing correspond to different Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLBs). It should be noted that the maximum score for this section is 24 points and the maximum score for each ability is 6 points. Thus, in order to get the higher score, you must have IELTS listening 8, reading, writing, and speaking 7. Language ability is an important criteria to increase your competition among applicants in the Express Entry pool. Every 0.5 point increasing can improve a lot in the competition.

  • Increase overseas work experience

Many applicants obtained work permits and worked right before the work permits expired. At this point, getting overseas work experience as soon as possible is an effective way to increase points. Because overseas work experience combined with Canadian work experience or language performance, there will be different cross-scoring and you can get extra points. Therefore, the applicant should consider that returning to work is also an effective solution.

  • Improve Education

If the applicant does not want to leave Canada, continuing to study is also a way to improve the score. According to the rules of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), scores with two or more degrees are higher than those with a single degree. In addition to direct bonus points for academic qualifications, there are extra points for crossover checking. Therefore, if the applicant has only one degree, then choosing to take another year of government-recognized certificate courses or college courses is also a good way to effectively increase points. However, the premise is that the applicant currently has earned a bachelor’s degree or college diploma. If the applicant is studying for a college + undergraduate course (2 + 2), the academic qualifications will be nearly full marks and no additional points will be obtained

  • Earn Provincial nomination

Applicants can also choose their own provincial nominated program:

Express Entry Provincial Nominee: To apply for this category, you must first meet certain category under the Express Entry and create a personal profile in the candidate pool. After the provincial nomination is approved, you will automatically receive an additional 600 points

Provincial nomination paper based: For example, Ontario’s master’s stream does not need to go through the Express Entry, as long as it meets the provincial nomination requirements for the project. After obtaining the provincial nomination certificate, submit a paper-based application to the federal government.

  • Labour Market Impact Assessment, LMIA

The Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is an assessment report made by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to assess whether an employer has the need and ability to hire foreign workers. LMIA is an application submitted by the employer. Canadian employers who need to recruit temporary foreign workers must first submit an application for the Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to the Employment and Social Development (ESDC). If approved, the temporary foreign workers can apply for work permits and come to Canada to work for employers.

Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) has very strict requirements and conditions for employers. However, for applicants who have obtained the work permit based on Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), they will have additional 50 points in the CRS system.

 

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