How do I apply for express entry to immigrate to Canada from EU?

Express Entry is an electronic system used to manage the applications of skilled workers who wish to become permanent residents of Canada.

Once an interested candidate submits an online profile, the federal government determines if the candidate is eligible for a program managed by Express Entry. Eligible candidates are accepted into the Express Entry pool and are ranked according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS is a points-based system used by the government to assess and rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. The CRS score is calculated based on a candidate’s age, education, work experience, language skills, as well as other factors.

• Approximately every two weeks, the Canadian government selects the highest-scoring candidates from the Express Entry pool and provides them with an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence. Eligible candidates submit their profile on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). They receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. About every two weeks, IRCC invites immigration candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. This comprehensive CanadaVisa page provides you everything you need to know on immigration to Canada through Express Entry.

1.) Am I eligible for Express Entry?

To be eligible for Express Entry, candidates must meet the criteria of at least one of the following federal economic immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program: The FSWP is Canada’s primary economic immigration pathway. The minimum requirements include at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B; validated intermediate or better language ability in English or French; for candidates educated outside of Canada, an educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) and an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. In addition to meeting the FSWP's minimum work, language ability, and education requirements, candidates must also obtain at least 67 points under its points grid.
• Canadian Experience Class: The CEC provides international students and foreign workers who have Canadian experience with the opportunity to obtain permanent residence. Candidates must have obtained at least one year of skilled, professional, or technical work experience in Canada within 3 years of the application date and also meet language proficiency criteria.
• Federal Skilled Trades Program: The FSTP is available to candidates who want to become permanent residents on the basis of qualifying for a skilled trade. Eligibility criteria include having a minimum of 2 years of full-time work experience in a skilled trade within the 5-year period of submitting an application; meet the job requirements of the skilled trade; have a full-time job offer in Canada for a period of at least 1 year or possess a certificate of qualification in the skilled trade that has been provided by an official Canadian authority; and meet language proficiency criteria.

Applying for Express Entry as a citizen of an EU country is essentially the same process as for any other applicant from outside Canada. The Express Entry system is a comprehensive immigration pathway for skilled workers to obtain Canadian permanent residency. Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying for Express Entry from the EU:

1. Determine Eligibility for One of the Express Entry Programs

There are three main immigration programs under the Express Entry system:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW): For skilled workers with at least one year of work experience in a skilled occupation (NOC 0, A, or B).
• Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For skilled tradespeople with at least two years of work experience in a skilled trade.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals who have worked in Canada on a temporary visa for at least one year.

You need to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for one of these programs. The basic requirements include:

• Work experience: At least one year of skilled work experience.
• Language proficiency: You must prove proficiency in English or French through recognized language tests (e.g., IELTS, CELPIP for English, TEF for French).
• Education: You need to have at least a high school diploma, but higher education or a degree is preferable.
• Proof of funds: You must demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents when you arrive in Canada unless you already have a valid job offer.

2. Take a Language Test

You need to take an approved language test to prove your English or French language abilities. The most common tests are:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): For English.
• CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program): For English.
• TEF (Test d’évaluation de français): For French.

The test results will be used to assign you points in the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), so it’s essential to get a good score.

3. Get Your Educational Credentials Assessed

If you completed your education outside of Canada, you need to get your credentials assessed by an authorized organization, such as:

• World Education Services (WES)
• International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)

This is a crucial step because the assessment will determine how your foreign credentials compare to Canadian standards.

4. Express Entry Profile

Once you have your language test results and educational credential assessment, you can hire a layer or RCIC to create a profile in the Express Entry system. This involves:

• Providing personal information (age, education, work experience, language proficiency).
• Answering questions about your background (criminal record, medical history).
• Completing a Self-Assessment of your CRS score.

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll be entered into the Express Entry pool.

5. Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

After submitting your profile, you’ll receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like:

• Age
• Education
• Language proficiency
• Work experience
• Adaptability (e.g., Canadian job offer, Canadian education, family ties)

The CRS score determines your rank in the pool. Periodically, the Canadian government holds draws, where it invites the highest-ranked candidates to apply for permanent residency. If your CRS score is high enough, you will receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residency.

6. Submit Your Application for Permanent Residency

Once you receive an ITA, you have 60 days to submit your application for permanent residency. The application will require:

• Medical exams: You and your family members will need to undergo medical exams by a panel physician approved by Canada.
• Police certificates: To prove that you do not have a criminal record, you will need to provide police certificates from every country where you have lived for 6 months or more in the past 10 years.
• Proof of funds: You need to provide proof that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependents when you arrive in Canada (unless you already have a valid job offer).
• Additional documents: These may include reference letters from employers, your passport, and more.

7. Wait for the Decision

Once you submit your complete application, it will be reviewed by Canadian immigration authorities. The typical processing time for Express Entry applications is approximately 6 months.

If everything is in order, you’ll receive confirmation of your Permanent Resident status and instructions on how to complete the landing process.

8. Complete the Landing Process

After your application is approved, you’ll receive instructions on how to complete the process of landing in Canada. This involves:

• Completing the final paperwork at a Canadian port of entry.
• Becoming a permanent resident of Canada.

Additional Tips

• Check your CRS score: There are several tools available online to help you estimate your CRS score. If your score is low, you can improve it by gaining more work experience, improving your language test score, or obtaining a job offer in Canada.
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Some provinces in Canada have their own immigration streams. If you receive a nomination from a province, you can get 600 additional CRS points, which will significantly increase your chances of receiving an ITA.

What if I Don’t Have a High CRS Score?

If your CRS score isn’t competitive enough to receive an ITA, you might consider other options:

• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP): Some provinces select candidates based on their specific needs. If you get nominated by a province, you’ll receive 600 extra CRS points.
• Job offer in Canada: If you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you can gain additional CRS points, which could help improve your chances.
• Improve language skills: By improving your language test scores, you could increase your CRS points.

Conclusion

Applying for Express Entry from the EU is a systematic process that requires preparation, such as taking language tests, having your credentials assessed, and ensuring you meet all program requirements. By creating an Express Entry profile, you’ll enter the pool and may be invited to apply for permanent residency based on your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

  Start your Process Today by Completing the Online Assessment Form.