What is the Express Entry Program?

The Express Entry system allows foreign skilled workers to apply for permanent residence in Canada. The categories of applications that fall within the Express Entry include: Canadian Experience Class, Federal Skilled Worker Category, Federal Skilled Trades Category, and Provincial Nominee Programs. In order to apply under these categories, qualified foreign applicants must first register an expression of interest with the Express Entry then wait to see if they are invited to apply for permanent residence.

How long does the Express Entry process take?

Once the Express Entry application has been submitted, processing times can take about one year, depending on the workload and priorities of the immigration authorities. Those who wish to remain working in Canada while the application is being processed may be able to apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP).

What is the minimum score required to qualify for the Express Entry program?

Previous rounds of invitations (express entry draws), and the score needed to get an ITA can be viewed here. The score required to receive an ITA depends on the number of people in the pool, the qualifications of those people, and the number of invitations being given out. For example, in the September 14, 2021 round of invitations, 2000 invitations were issued for the Canadian Experience Class. The lowest ranking candidate invited had a CRS score of 462. In the January 5, 2022 round of invitations, 392 invitations were issued for the Provincial Nominee Program. The lowest ranking candidate invited had a CRS score of 808. There may be several ways for you to improve your score. You can even improve your score while waiting in the pool and updating your profile with your new information.

Provincial
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What is the Provincial Nomination Program?

While Canada’s immigration program is primarily run by the federal government’s Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, each of Canada’s ten provinces have their own small immigration program.

Through these programs the provinces nominate for permanent residence those individuals who wish to immigrate to their province and meet the specific criteria of the provincial program. These programs vary from province to province but are primarily directed at bringing in foreign skilled workers where there is a shortage of such workers in the province. The provincial nominations consist of several thousand new permanent residents each year, many of whom are already living in their province and are either working or studying temporarily there.

Details on the Provincial Nomination Program

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) is an immigration program run by the Province of Ontario. It is mainly intended to facilitate applications for permanent residence for foreign nationals who are already in Ontario with legal temporary resident status, either as workers or students. However, it can also be used to facilitate permanent residence for temporary residents in other parts of Canada, including visitors to Canada, and also foreign nationals residing outside Canada.

Human Capital Priorities Stream

For those who are enrolled in the Express Entry system, the Ontario government will sometimes issue nominations through the Ontario Human Capital Priorities Stream, or through other streams such as the Ontario French Speaking Skilled Workers Stream, or the Ontario Skilled Trades Stream. These invitations will be based on the specific criteria of the Ontario government, which are variable. Those selected will receive an invitation to apply through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program and will be given a deadline to file their application.

Once an application under the Ontario program has been approved, an additional 600 points will be added to the applicant’s Express Entry profile, which should ensure that they are invited to apply for permanent residence at the next Express Entry draw.

Find Out If You Qualify

The Law Office of Matthew Jeffery has years of experience assisting clients with Express Entry applications. Fill out our FREE Express Entry Calculator to see if you are qualified to apply under the Express Entry program.

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The Comprehensive Ranking System

To effectively rank immigration candidates, the government created a merit-based points system that assigns a score to all candidates in the Express Entry pool. This point system is known as CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System). The score assigned to the candidates is referred to as the CRS score and these are the factors in the CRS scoring:

Education

Applicants are awarded points based on their highest level of education, ranging from 5 points for a secondary school credential to 25 points for a Ph.D. If your formal education was conducted outside of Canada, you will also need to submit a Canadian equivalency assessment report from an approved agency.

Language Proficiency

Applicants under the Skilled Worker category must prove their language proficiency in English and/or French in order to obtain these points. This requires you to provide the results of an approved language test as part of your application. You will be tested and separately scored on your speaking, reading, writing, and listening abilities.

Work Experience

Skilled Worker applicants receive additional points for each year that they have worked, for up to six years. The work experience must be in what is considered a skilled job, and must be equivalent to full-time experience. You can check whether your work experience is considered a skilled job in the NOC listing.

Employment

If the Skilled Worker applicant is in Canada with a work permit that was obtained on the basis of a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and the applicant’s employer is willing to employ them on a permanent basis, then the applicant will obtain points for having arranged employment in Canada. If the applicant is not working in Canada but has an offer of employment based on an LMIA, then points will also be awarded.

Age

Applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 receive the full amount of points allowed for this category. Applicants lose one point per year that they are above the age of 35. For example, if you are 40 years old, you will have 5 points deducted from your age score.

Adaptability

Applicants can also receive additional points for adaptability. These points are awarded for things like having arranged employment, work or study experience in Canada by the applicant or their spouse, or having a close relative who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada.

We Can Help You Get Permanent Residence

Here's how we can help you with your Express Entry application:

Formulate a strategy based on your particular circumstances.
Collect and review supporting documentation to sufficiently establish your qualifications.
Provide expert legal submissions in support of your application.
Prepare you for any requested interviews.
Communicate with the immigration authorities on your behalf to ensure you don’t miss anything, which could lead to significant delays.

The Law Office of Matthew Jeffery has years of experience assisting clients with Express Entry applications. If you are qualified and would like assistance in applying for Express Entry, or have received an ITA and would like assistance submitting an application for permanent residence, please contact us for further information. You can also complete our FREE Express Entry Calculator to see if you are qualified to apply under the Express Entry.

Calculate CRS Score

One common scenario that leads to Express Entry refusal is when you fail to provide your work experience properly. Your application may also be refused if you do not attach the right supporting documents. You may also face a refusal if the immigration officer is unsure about certain elements in your application such as your job duties.

Another scenario is when you have inconsistencies or mistakes such as adding a work experience that you had not included 5 years ago in previous applications. Immigration officers check the slightest details so you must ensure that there are no inconsistencies. Lack of proper supporting documentation can also lead to refusal. The Immigration Law Firm of Matthew Jeffery has years of experience in skilled workers cases with high success rate and we can assist you with your application.

Success Stories

Loved working with this firm for my Express entry permanent residency application. Crystal was extremely professional, understanding, and helpful. With her help, we were able to swiftly apply and obtain my PR approval. Thank you for the great work!

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Jasmin DC

Had a great experience working with Mr. Jeffery. Got help with LMIA, work permit, express entry and permanent resident applications. Everything was done in the most professional and fast way. Got answers to all the questions, all paperwork was done in very organized manner, met all the deadlines. Strongly recommend the office, they're doing great job.

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Kirill N

Matthew Jeffery and his team were instrumental in assisting me with my Express Entry application and then with my Permanent Residency Application. From the moment I met with them in their Toronto office until the time my Permanent Residency Application was approved everything was done smoothly and well within the timeframes. Matthew and his staff were always available and kept me updated on my application progress. I would highly recommend Matthew Jeffery as a competent, professional and caring Immigration Lawyer for all of your Canadian Immigration needs!

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Brett P