IMMIGRATION OVERVIEW & EXPRESS ENTRY PROCESS
- Express Entry provides a pathway to permanent residence for skilled workers in Canada or overseas.
- For potential skilled foreign workers, Express Entry will result in fast processing times of six months or less.
- Express Entry manages applications for permanent residence under these federal economic immigration programs:
- Provinces and territories can also recruit candidates from Express Entry through their Provincial Nominee Programs to meet local labour market needs.
FEDERAL SKILLED WORKER
Until December 31, 2014, the process of applications was slightly different, all the occupational categories were divided in two groups, one group contained a list of those occupations (along with NOC) which were considered to be “more in demand” and candidates who had work experience in any of those “more in demand” occupations could apply, provided the application met the selection criteria (the famous six selection factors), scored 67 points and the quota for the category still had vacancies, when applying under this group, there was no requirement to have a valid job offer from a Canadian Employer (a valid job offer meant and still means a positive opinion from Service Canada about the Labour Market Impact Assessment, previously also known as Labour Market Opinion or Arranged Employment Opinion). Only a limited number of applications were accepted under each category per year.
The second group had no quota, anyone who had a valid job offer from a Canadian Employer, (provided the job offer was in NOC 0, A or B level) could apply, still the applicant had to score a minimum of 67 points, but because of the valid job offer added 15 points in the total (10 for Arranged Employment and 5 under the Adaptability factor due to Arranged Employment) meeting the minimum score of 67 was easier for such applicants. And those candidates who were scoring less points in Age, Education or Language, could easily make their total as 67.
For many years above system stayed in vogue, there were major complaints from candidates because the processing times were getting longer and longer. The increased waiting time put a lot of applications at stake, especially, those who applied with a valid job offer. The processing of the applications took a couple of years, so eventually the employers who initially showed intention to hire an individual started retrieving their offers.
Discussions and preparations began to introduce a new more effective system. This system would reduce the processing time bringing talented professionals in Canada faster. Helping to assist the employer’s needs and boost the Canadian Economy.
Commencing January 2015, Canada introduced the Express Entry System, details about this system is available in our Express Entry section. All source material taken from the Canadian Official Website, and to ease this process we provide this information on our website.
A Question arises, are the Express Entry and The Federal Skilled Worker Program separate programs?
The simple answer is that they are the same. There is a stream of applications, and the first is the Express Entry. This is the intake of a basic application for the candidate to apply and must meet the basic criteria needed. Such as the application as a Federal Skilled worker, Trade Worker, Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Program. Hence this section is the Federal Skilled Worker Category.
FEDERAL SKILLED TRADE
The Federal Skilled Trades Program is for a person who wants to become a permanent resident based on their being qualified in a skilled trade.
In order for someone to qualify under this program, the individual must:
- Either have a qualification certificate in trades issued by a Canadian Province or Territory, or
- They have obtained a valid job offer (LMIA) issued by at least one employer.
The qualification certificate can be obtained in two ways. The applicant either has studied in Canada and completed a program in a specific trade and achieved a certificate. There is an Alternative route for those applying from overseas. They can have past work experience acquired in any country outside of Canada, and then assessed by a trade authority of any province in Canada. After this they become eligible to challenge the exam, and upon clearing the exam they acquire a certificate. We can assist you in the process of having your past work experience assessed by the Trade Authorities.
To acquire a valid job offer, the applicant must have a Canadian Employer apply for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) on their behalf. Once a positive LMIA is received it can be used to apply for Permanent Residency under the Federal Skill Trade Program.
CANADIAN WORK EXPERIENCE
After you have lived in Canada for some time, you may have obtained the necessary English and/or French skills, and valued skilled work experience. This experience has immersed you into Canadian society. The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) was created to help people like you who will have a valuable role in the Canadian economy.
If you are a temporary foreign worker, a foreign student, or have skilled work experience in Canada, you may be in a position to move from temporary to permanent residence under the (CEC) Canadian Experience Class.
The Canadian Experience Class is another stream now included into Express Entry System. In order for you to apply under CEC an Express Entry Profile must be created. Once this profile is complete an application can be submitted to the pool.
PROVINCIAL NOMINEE PROGRAM
Most provinces and territories in Canada can nominate immigrants through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). These immigrants must have the skills, education and work experience to contribute to the economy of that province or territory, and must want to live there.
Each province and territory has its own “streams†(immigration programs that target certain groups) and criteria for their PNP. For example, in a program stream, provinces and territories may target students, business people, skilled workers or semi-skilled workers.
Since January 1, 2015, many provinces and territories have launched new Express Entry streams. Check their websites to learn more about which streams they offer.