Express Entry Program

Which Express Entry Program Is Right For Me?

If you’re looking to move to Canada to become a permanent resident, the Canadian Express Entry program is the easiest way for skilled immigrants to obtain residency. While the process of applying may seem a bit daunting at first, it is important to understand what the requirements are for each program to understand which one is the best fit for you. The IRCC uses a Comprehensive Ranking System to rank the applicants based on predefined criteria. To learn more about the CRS system and how to rank well, you can reach out to experienced lawyers for immigration.

This system is in place to identify exact matches for the type of workforce required in Canada. The Canadian Job market is extremely competitive, which is why the IRCC is only looking to attract top talent. The ranking system ranks candidates on the basis of several factors such as language skills, education, work experience, proof of funds to survive, and even human capital.

After the system ranks candidates, draws are held every two weeks or so to send out invitations to the highest CRS ranking candidates.

Now let’s discuss the Express Entry programs a bit more in detail:

Canadian Experience Class

Launched in early 2008, the main role of the CEC was to facilitate the transition of international students and foreign workers into permanent residents within Canada. There are several requirements, however, that each candidate needs to fulfill.

These include:

  • A CLB (Language Benchmark) of  5 for skilled trade jobs or a score of 7 or higher for NOC A categories.
  • At least a year of professional experience within Canada. This has to be skilled or technical work and should be within the timeframe of the previous 3 years.

For international students wishing to stay after graduation, it is recommended to apply for a post-graduation work permit. This permit allows students to stay in Canada for up to 3 years. The best part about this permit is that students do not require a prerequisite job offer to apply!

Federal Skilled Worker Program

This program was specifically designed for skilled individuals with foreign work experience. There are several requirements that need to be fulfilled to be eligible for this program.

These include:

  • A CLB score of at least 7 in French or English
  • Proof of funds to prove that the applicant has enough financial backing to settle within Canada.
  • At least 67 points in the FWSP criteria, which evaluates candidates on the basis of work experience, prior academics, age, etc.
  • At least a full year of paid skilled work experience at any time in the past 10 years
  • Candidates would have to submit their educational credentials to a credential assessment service such as ECA or WES

The Federal Skilled Trades Program

This program is very similar to the skilled worker program, however, it is focused primarily on work in skilled trades. The biggest benefit of this program is that applicants do not have to provide education equivalence, as long as they fulfill the criteria of 2 years within a ‘skilled’ job. The applicant should have a Canadian qualification certificate, indicating that you possess the skills necessary for your application.

The eligibility requirements for this program include:

  • CLB scores of 4 for writing, reading, and at least CLB 5 for listening and speaking.
  • Qualification Certificate as proof of your skilled trade ability.. This is to ensure that the individual has the skills necessary to compete in the Canadian job market.
  • Valid job offer of at least a one-year full-time position in Canada.

Bottom Line: Which Option Is Better?

When it comes to immigration, each case is unique and dependent upon the applicant. For some, meeting the specified criteria and submitting the necessary paperwork to prove it is not going to be tough at all, but others may find it daunting and extremely confusing.

It is recommended to conduct thorough research to map out budgets, needed documentation, and timelines and to mentally prepare for the process ahead. Remember, there are numerous applicants for each draw, which is why it is worthwhile to focus on strengthening your profile before applying. Getting in touch with a lawyer might be an excellent idea to get immigration advice Canada.

Apart from that, the Express Entry program is definitely one of the best immigration programs worldwide. With the CRS system ranking applicants fairly and in an unbiased manner, skilled individuals have a chance to apply to become permanent residents every two weeks!

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