Is carving out a successful career in Canada your only goal? Get familiar with the Canada Express Entry Visa. Any skilled worker wanting to move to Canada through immigration can apply for PR (Permanent Resident) visa through the Express Entry Program.
What is the Canada Express Entry Visa?
Launched in January 2015, Express Entry is a point-based online immigration program. It was initiated by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to advance the visa selection process for permanent residency and accelerate the decision times to as little as six months. Since the advent of this program, applying for a Canada PR visa has become comparatively easy.
Programs Offered Under Express Entry:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- Federal Skilled Trades Program (FESTP)
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
All the individuals with necessary skills and relevant experience under their belts look no further than Canada when it comes to moving to Canada. A highly comprehensive program is what Express Entry is all about, playing an imperative role in handling the Canadian immigrant inflow and assessing through diverse factors.
Why Does Express Entry Make Sense for Immigrants?
Eagerly awaiting Canadian permanent residency? Settle for no less than the Express Entry Program – the fastest and most popular pathway for immigrants to seek permanent residency. After all, who would not want to start a new life in one of the most sought-after countries for immigration – Canada?
As a fast-track immigration program, Express Entry makes it easier for competent workers to obtain permanent residency in the “Land of Maple Leaf.” The Canadian government has adopted a unique approach to choosing exceptionally talented workers, making them gain entry into Canada as Permanent Residents.
Kindly take note that the Express Entry Program is not an application to apply for PR. However, it signifies your interest in being considered for the permanent resident visa. Once interested applicants submit their online profile, the Federal Government determines if the applicant is eligible for the Express Entry Program.
Ranked according to the comprehensive ranking system (CRS), those candidates who are eligible for the program are accepted into the Express Entry pool. The government of Canada evaluates and ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool using CRS – a point-based system. Based on a candidate’s age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and other crucial factors, the CRS score is calculated.
Eligibility criteria for Canada Express Entry
The Express Entry Program extensively relies on a point-based system for assessing candidates. The main purpose of this fastest system is to pick out all those candidates who have a greater chance of succeeding post their migration to an incredible country called ‘Canada’.
For assessing your eligibility through the Express Entry program, you are required to answer many questions to work in Canada as a skilled worker and then obtain permanent residency. Be prepared to answer the questions based on the following:
Age
If you are aged 18 or above but below 35, then you can look forward to getting maximum points. If you are over 35, then you can get points but not much compared to the 18-35 age group.
Education
It is important to show that the education credentials you have, is equivalent to a completed secondary school (or high school) in Canada. If they don’t correspond with each other, then you will not be rewarded with points, nor will you be eligible for FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program).
Work Experience
To apply through Express Entry, you must have a minimum experience of 12 months in the last three years (before you choose to apply).
Language Proficiency
Proficiency in one of Canada’s official languages (English or French) is a must. Please note that your language ability is evaluated through the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). It is deduced by the test score you obtain in IELTS (short for International English Language Testing System) or CELPIP (short for Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program).
Adaptability
You can maximum points in this section by listing your spouse or common-law partner.
Arranged Employment
You get points for having a valid job offer from eligible employers under FSWP.
If you are applying for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) category of the Express Entry program, you ought to score a minimum of 67 points based on the above diverse parameters.
See Canada Express Entry Step by Step Process
List of Documents Required for Canada Express Entry Visa
The following is the documents you need when applying for a Canada Express Entry Visa:
- A valid passport or travel document
- Education Credential Assessment (ECA). This is when you are submitting the application through the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FWSP) OR you are looking to obtain points for education obtained in a foreign country
- Language test results (either English or French test scores)
- Nomination from a province in case you have one
- Written employment offer from an employer in Canada if you have one
- Police certificates to prove you are not involved in any kind of criminal activity
- You have to upload copies of the above-mentioned documents if you are offered an ITA (Invitation to Apply) for Canada PR Visa. Also, most of the applicants will have to upload a police certificate, proof of funds, etc.
- Medical examination
- You must have sufficient funds to settle and reside in Canada
- Your qualifications must be equal to Canadian standards
Canada Express Entry Benefits
Express Entry plays a very significant role when it comes to immigrating to Canada. It is the most convenient and popular system, which makes immigration an easier affair. It is through this program you can obtain a Permanent Resident (PR) visa within 6 months or less.
Here are some of the greatest benefits of Canada Express Entry you may not be aware of:
Faster Application Processing
The Express Entry Program can get you a Canadian visa within a short time. The time period starts right when you submit the application and you can proceed with further steps. Earlier the application was based on paper and people had a hard time getting their applications processed.
Reduction in CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) Score
Canada is planning to welcome a large number of immigrants to the country. Therefore, the IRCC may think about reducing the minimum CRS score, which is required to be selected in the Express Entry draws. You will be glad to know that there may be further reduction in the required score in the coming years. That’s because Canada is looking to bring thousands of skilled workers to the country.
Electronic System
Under Express Entry, the whole application processing is done through an electronic system. It signifies that there is no possibility of discrimination. The CRS scores are updated automatically and candidates are selected stringently on the basis of their CRS scores.
The Federal System of Immigration
The Express Entry Program is a federal system of immigration. Those applicants who receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) can apply for Canadian permanent residency under the program. You can settle anywhere in Canada after you get an Express Entry visa. Furthermore, having proficiency in French is not a compulsion to apply for PR through the Express Entry Program.
Express Entry: What are the Benefits for Employers?
The Express Entry Program assists Canadian employers in responding to the labor shortage. This is when they are not in a position to fill the vacancies with Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Under this program, the employers play a direct role in employing skilled and talented workers. The employers can then match with the existing profiles to offer employment to the Express Entry applicants.
Points Required for the Canada Express Entry Visa
To be eligible for Canadian immigration under Express Entry, you must obtain a total of 67 points out of 100. Canada Express Entry eligibility points calculator is based on the given criteria:
- Age – Maximum 12 Points
- Education – Maximum 25 Points
- Work Experience – Maximum 15 Points
- Language Proficiency – Maximum 28 Points
- Adaptability – Maximum 10 Points
- Arranged Employment – Maximum 10 Points
Funds Required for the Express Entry Program
Canada has increased the proof of funds required for the Express Entry Program candidates. The needed Canadian settlement funds have increased to the below-mentioned amounts:
| Number of Family Members | Funds Required (in CAD) |
| 1 | $13,305 |
| 2 | $16,577 |
| 3 | $20,365 |
| 4 | $24,739 |
| 5 | $28,047 |
| For each additional family member, add | $3,591 |
It is important for all Express Entry applicants with active profiles to meet the new proof of funds requirements. The proof of fund requirement is used to ascertain if an Express Entry applicant is backed by enough capital to settle in Canada.
Express Entry Draw – 2022
Express Entry Draw Latest Figures
- Invitation Round – #236
- Express Entry Latest Draw Date – November 23rd
- Number of Invitations – 4750
- Lowest CRS Score – 491.
When would be the Next Express Entry Draw?
The Government of Canada conducts an Express Entry Draw roughly once in every 15 days. By considering the last 5 years’ draw timelines and recent draw dates, the next draw will be held on or before 8th December 2022.
Latest Express Entry Draw Figures – 2022
The following are the latest Express Entry Draws with the cut-off score:
| Invitation Round | Date of Draw | Number of Invitations | Lowest CRS Score |
| Draw 236 | Nov 23 | 4750 | 491 |
| Draw 235 | Nov 09 | 4750 | 494 |
| Draw 234 | Oct 26 | 4750 | 496 |
| Draw 233 | Oct 12 | 4250 | 500 |
| Draw 232 | Sep 28 | 3750 | 504 |
| Draw 231 | Sep 14 | 3250 | 510 |
| Draw 230 | Aug 31 | 2750 | 516 |
| Draw 229 | Aug 17 | 2250 | 525 |
| Draw 228 | Aug 03 | 2000 | 533 |
| Draw 227 | July 20 | 1750 | 542 |
| Draw 226 | July 06 | 1500 | 557(CEC) |
| Draw 225 | June 22 | 636 | 752(PNP) |
| Draw 224 | June 08 | 932 | 796(PNP) |
| Draw 223 | May25 | 589 | 741(PNP) |
| Draw 222 | May 11
|
545 | 753(PNP)
|
| Draw 221 | Apr 27
|
829 | 772(PNP)
|
| Draw 220 | Apr 13
|
787 | 782(PNP)
|
| Draw 219 | Mar 30
|
919 | 785(PNP)
|
| Draw 218 | Mar 16
|
924 | 754(PNP)
|
| Draw 217 | Mar 02
|
1047 | 761(PNP)
|
| Draw 216 | Feb 16
|
1082 | 710(PNP)
|
| Draw 215 | Feb 2
|
1070 | 674(PNP)
|
| Draw 214 | Jan 19
|
1036 | 745(PNP)
|
| Draw 213 | Jan 5
|
392 | 808(PNP) |
Most recent Express Entry Draw & Latest CRS Cut-off Score
In the latest Express Entry Draw, which was held on November 23rd, the Government of Canada issued 4750 ITAs (Invitations to Apply). This draw is specific to FSWP, FSTP, and CEC applicants.
The CRS cut-off score in the most recent Express Entry invitation round 236 is 491 – the lowest CRS requirement.
About Canada Express Entry Draw
In 2015 an online application management system known as ‘Express Entry’ was started Canadian immigration department. This was initiated to assist skilled and experienced professionals in a quicker way. This immigration system has gained immense popularity globally.
The Government of Canada conducts an Express Entry draw and ranks the candidates based on their CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) score, inviting them to apply for PR (Permanent Residence).
